MDAs ask UTL to improve service delivery

Kampala. Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have asked Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) to improve its network coverage, Internet and Mobile Money services, among others.
The MDAs met last week to discuss the progress of UTL and how they can help it regain its supremacy.
Mr Amos Ngabirano, the ICT director Uganda Police, said the land line services are unstable and network in most of the upcountry offices is inaccessible.
“We know UTL has been going through a number of issues but we need to see that the services are improved especially the landline services which keep going on and off,” Mr Ngabirano said.
Mr Steven Kamoga, a participant, said despite the loyalty some clients have showed the telecom company, the services delivered are wanting.
“As UEDCL, we have been there with UTL for a long time, but it’s high time the services improved. We are facing very poor network coverage, internet services among others. I am hoping these can be improved,” Mr Kamoga said.
UTL had accumulated debt of more than Shs700b over the years.
Mr Bemanya Twebaze, the administrator of UTL, said despite the debt, improvement in different services started in April and a number of things have been changing over time.
“We had a liability of over Shs700b but our assets were valued at Shs100b. I think this was a situation that should have called for the closure of the entire company. I am happy things are changing,” Mr Bemanya.
He added: “We have managed to pay Shs500m to Umeme and this week we shall add them at least Shs480m. Our coverage around the country has moved from 75 per cent to 93 per cent. This change should not be taken for granted,”
Early this month, government directed all its MDAs to outsource airtime and internet services from UTL as a way of revamping the struggling telecom firm.