By XINHUA
Africell, one of the mobile network operators in Africa, on Tuesday announced that it will stop operations in Uganda early next month.
The operator in a statement posted on its website said it will exit the Ugandan market on Oct. 7, where it has been since 2014 when it acquired assets of Orange Uganda, another operator.
The company said the decision to leave is based on its assessment of the long-term commercial outlook for the business and its fit in the group strategy. The telecommunications company also operates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.
Africell said it is working with the Uganda government and the telecommunications regulator, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to ensure a smooth transition.
“Africell UG is working directly with the UCC and other local mobile network operators to make the migration process as smooth as possible for customers who will need to switch to alternative providers,” the statement said.
The company said it has been providing service to over a million customers across the east African country.
Uganda’s telecommunications sector is mainly covered by MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda.