PARROTS UG|TECH REPORT:
Uganda Communications Commission has granted conditional approval to Africell’s exit plan from Uganda.
According to a statement by the regulatory body, the telecom network has been instructed to first settle outstanding debts and liabilities, comply with data protection and privacy, environmental, and labour laws, among other conditions before cessation.
The commission stated that through multiple letters exchanged with the outgoing service provider between July and August 2021,they (UCC) offered detailed guidance on how to manage the exit process which the former admitted to comply.
The commission Ag. Executive Director Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo,in one of the letters noted that the telecom was free to proceed with its exit plans as long as they complied with the set guidelines.
“The Commission has no objection to Africell’s proposed date of 8th October 2021 as the date for cessation of operations following the one-month notification of customers and staff effective 8th September 2021,” she said.
Among other conditions given by the commission are;settling all claims and complaints by the customers,among others.
In a press statement issued on 9th September, UCC explained that Africell, which entered the Ugandan telecom market in 2014 after acquiring majority shares in Orange Uganda Limited, had now decided to consolidate its business in other parts of the world where they have a competitive advantage.
According to UCC, pre-exit conditions are intended to ensure that the interests and rights of Africell’s customers, agents, employees, trade creditors and the Government of Uganda are safeguarded before the exit.
The Commission disclosed that it is working with sister agencies to ensure Africell complies with the various laws, including the National Environment Protection Act and the Data Protection and Privacy Act.
UCC has further demanded that Africell submit written evidence of settlement of all its creditors, as well as confirmation of settlement of all staff claims (if any) and completion of the staff termination processes by 15th September 2021.
All customers with claims against Africell have been urged to immediately contact the company to work out arrangements to settle their claims before the 7th of October 2021.
On the possibility of Africell migrating its business customers to other licensed providers, the Commission guided that Africell would have to ensure that its existing customers are informed of their right to migrate to any other licensed operator of their choice or consent to whichever provider they are moved to.
The Commission further guided that any such arrangement to facilitate the continued provision of services to Africell’s customers after 7th October 2021 must align with the existing legal and regulatory framework.
To comply with Uganda’s data protection and privacy laws, the Commission advised Africell to seek the express approval of the National Data Protection office at NITA-U before concluding its transfer of customer information to any other entity.
“UCC is cognisant that, like other telecoms, Africell is in possession of subscribers’ data that must be protected and the subscribers’ privacy secured in line with the Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019.”
“Besides, as a key stakeholder in the E-waste Management value chain, the Commission promotes adequate and sustainable disposal of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) – a cause that gained more traction with the launch of Uganda’s first National E-waste Management Centre in June 2021.” the commission said in a statement.
UCC says it is maintaining its conditional approval until the telecom company meet all exit conditions.
“In view of the above outstanding issues, the Commission maintains its CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of Africell’s exit plan, subject to Africell meeting the outstanding conditions stated hereinabove and in the letter of 17th August 2021,” the Ag. Executive Director wrote.
