Agents of telecom companies in Luweero town are on the spot for charging phone users to validate their simcards. UCC set April 20th as the deadline for simcard validation and registration using the National Identification number.
The exercise has however been extended for a month. Although both UCC and Telecom companies are sending text messages asking simcard holders to dial *197# to validate their simcards using their National Identification numbers, some people in Luweero are unable to do so, which has forced them to turn to telecom agents.
On Wednesday, thousands of phone users rushed to telecom agents to validate or register their simcards so as not to be disconnected. However, some of the agents charged the phone users between Shillings 2000-5000 to validate or register their simcards despite the fact that the exercise is entirely free of charge.
Swamadu Saffi, a resident of Bwaziba LC 1 village in Luweero Sub County, says he paid Shillings 4000 to facilitate the registration of his Airtel and MTN simcard although he wasn't issued a receipt. According to Saffi, he paid the money for fear of being disconnected when the UCC deadline expires.
Abdul Tagabirwa, a resident of Misanje village in Kikyusa Sub county says he paid Shillings 7000 to agents to register his two lines and photocopy his National Identity card. He asks UCC to take action against Telecom companies for cheating them.
Denis Mugisha, a sales agent at MTN Uganda, Luweero Town Service Point explains that simcard registration or validation is for free of charge. He says the agents are paid a commission of Shillings 1200 for each registered simcard.
He says they are referring those who need to replace their National IDs to the NIRA office in Kampala.
