SIM CARD REGISTRATION: MTN Unveils New Guidelines To Eliminate Criminals

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued new guidelines to telecom companies to be followed in the replacement and registration of SIM cards.

MTN Uganda has already notified its customers of the new development that will require all MTN Uganda SIM card replacements to be made at designated MTN Service Centers.

“All requests for SIM card replacement shall be made by the owner of the SIM card physically, upon presentation of a letter from the Uganda Police confirming loss or theft of the SIM card,” MTN Uganda said in a statement, adding: “SIM card registration and activation shall only be made after validation of the customer registration details including presentation of a National ID.”

The new development follows UCC’s letter dated February 23, 2018 to all telecom operators highlighting the increase in mobile money fraud in the country. This was after conmen hacked into phones of MPs and ministers to defraud unsuspecting Ugandans.

In the letter, UCC boss Godfrey Mutabazi tells all telecom operators that “there shall be no more selling of SIM cards by telecommunication street vendors and agents.” The letter contains 14 directives all aimed at fighting criminals using phones.

MTN Uganda is Uganda’s leading telecom operator and is headed by Wim Vanhelleputte as the CEO.