By Ronaldo N Kalangi
Government together with Telecommunication companies have heeded to Ugandans’ call through Members of Parliament to lift ban on airtime scratch cards.
The decision was reached during a dialogue with Members of Parliament, Minister of ICT, Telecom Companies and UCC Executive Director Mr. Godfrey Mutabazi.
The meeting was chaired by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
The ban on the use of scratch cards was effected on July 1st by Telecom companies following a directive from UCC.
The meeting reached a consensus to stay the usage of airtime scratch cards and to phase it out gradually as the public is fully sensitized on the use of electronic recharge system.
The MPs accused mobile Telecom operators of being driven by greed for profits in pushing for the phasing out of scratch cards.
Ruhinda North MP Thomas Tayebwa was joined by several MPs in pointing out that the telecoms have not even provided a viable alternative to scratch cards especially in the rural areas, noting that some sub counties have not got a single agent.
