Airtel Uganda’s new managing director, Soumendra Sahu, has vowed to increase internet access across the country.

“I am pleased to be here and I look forward to working with the UCC and other stakeholders to improve our services,” Mr Sahu said during a courtesy visit to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) executive director, George William Nyombi Tembo.

The UCC boss welcomed Mr Sahu and praised Airtel Uganda for complying with regulatory requirements. “We welcome you to Uganda and assure you of our regulatory support as you deliver on your mandate to customers and the public,” Mr Nyombi said.

Mr Sahu thanked Mr Nyombi for his warm welcome and reiterated his company’s commitment to improving its services while meeting its regulatory obligations. “Our focus is on leveraging our global reach to introduce innovative, world-class products and services tailored to meet the needs of Ugandan consumers,” he said.

Mr Sahu also called for greater collaboration to increase the use of smartphones and other devices, which he said would help reduce the cost of communication and drive socio-economic transformation in Uganda. “We need to work together to take affirmative action to grow penetration of smartphones and other terminal devices,” he said.