Africa-Press – Uganda. In a significant step towards improving digital connectivity and supporting cross-border trade, Airtel Uganda has commissioned a new 4G network mast in Malaba, an international border town in Tororo District.
The development is expected to eliminate long-standing network challenges and boost economic activity in the region.
Speaking at the launch, Airtel Uganda’s Communications Officer, David Birunji, highlighted the mast’s role in addressing cross-border interference and enhancing service quality.
“We have brought a new site in Malaba to ensure that our customers don’t get interference from international roaming from across the border,” Birunji said.
“The site is 100% 4G, meaning that our customers can now enjoy high-quality internet services to effectively trade with the international community. A trader in Malaba can now, without delay, check prices of goods across the border, improving their profit margins.”
The initiative has been lauded by local leaders and residents, who have for years grappled with weak signal strength and costly roaming charges due to the dominance of Kenyan networks like Safaricom.
Joseph Nalapa, the LC1 Chairperson of Malaba East Village, noted that the community often had to manually adjust phone settings just to make a call.
“All along, we have been facing a big challenge. The neighboring Safaricom network overpowered ours. We were more or less on roaming, making communication very difficult,” he said.
Rose Khayanga, Vice Chairperson of Malaba Town Council, echoed these sentiments, describing the poor connectivity as a major barrier. “We were living in darkness, no network, no communication, no access to the internet. Most people turned to Safaricom lines, which was expensive and frustrating. This new mast is going to change our lives. We’re grateful to Airtel.”
Beyond improving trade and daily communication, the 4G mast is expected to benefit local schools, offering students and teachers better access to online learning resources.
Birunji concluded by urging the community to take ownership of the infrastructure and protect it against vandalism. “Fighting vandalism is a shared responsibility.
Our stakeholders must protect the equipment, fiber lines, the mast, solar panels, and batteries. If you see anything suspicious, report it to the police. It affects all of us,” he appealed.
The launch is part of Airtel Uganda’s broader mission to close the digital divide and ensure that underserved communities have equal access to fast, reliable internet—empowering them to thrive in the digital economy.
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