Airtel Uganda Launches Anti-Spam Alert to Fight SIM Card Fraud After Public Outcry
- Afri Careers
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
Airtel Uganda has officially rolled out a new Anti-Spam Alert service to shield its customers from rising cases of SIM card fraud and Airtel Money theft. This move comes amid growing public outrage over mobile money security breaches that have been trending on social media.
The launch follows intense criticism after Makerere University professor and cartoonist Jimmy Spire Ssentongo revealed his brother’s harrowing experience — a stolen phone that led to unauthorized Airtel Money withdrawals and even a loan taken in his name. Ssentongo and his brother, Joseph Kayinga, believe the fraud could have been aided by an insider, sparking a wave of similar testimonies from other Airtel users.
Public Pressure Pushes Airtel Uganda to Act
The Airtel Uganda Anti-Spam Alert is designed to detect and notify customers about suspicious activities linked to their accounts. It is embedded directly into Airtel’s network, offering real-time protection against potential scams, phishing attempts, and SIM card fraud.
The telecommunications giant has pledged to tighten SIM card security and enhance internal processes to ensure fraud incidents are swiftly addressed. Airtel Uganda also urged affected customers to report suspicious activities for prompt action.
This initiative aligns with Ssentongo’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness about SIM card fraud and demand stronger consumer protection laws.
Airtel Uganda’s Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu, emphasized the company’s zero-tolerance policy for fraud, corruption, and misconduct, promising continuous improvements in customer service, data privacy, and security.
To foster transparency, Airtel Uganda will host community town hall meetings to listen to customer concerns, share updates on security measures, and restore public trust in its services.
With the Airtel Uganda Anti-Spam Alert, the company is taking a significant step toward safeguarding personal data and financial transactions. By reinforcing SIM card security and addressing insider threats, Airtel Uganda aims to regain customer confidence and set a higher standard for the telecommunications industry in Uganda.
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