The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director Godfrey Mutabazi has told telecom firms to phase out the use of Airtime scratch cards, urging them to encourage their customers to use electronic airtime.
In a letter dated March 23, 2018 obtained by Business Focus, UCC directs telecommunications companies to phase out airtime scratch cards by June this year.
In a communication issued, UCC directs telecommunications companies to commence the use of electronic airtime.
“The telecommunication operator would also provide to the commission a weighted average period in which they would have consumed all scratch cards available on the market and begin to sensitise their registered vendors about the phasing out of scratch cards on the Ugandan market,” UCC letter reads in part.
UCC has also warned operators against importing scratch cards after June 30.
Telecoms have already started fulfilling the UCC directive. On Saturday, Airtel Uganda informed its customers that street vending/hawking of airtime scratch cards is prohibited.
“Following a directive from the regulator UCC on the sale of scratch cards, we hereby inform the general public, customers, distributors, retailers and all stakeholders that street vending/hawking of scratch cards is prohibited,” Airtel said in a statement, adding: “We encourage our customers to purchase airtime using electronic and/or MTN mobile money, Airtel money, Africell money or Msent.”
