MTN Uganda Joins Forces with UCC, Airtel, and ATC to Launch Nationwide Anti-Vandalism Campaign “TOKIGEZA”

MTN Uganda has joined forces with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Airtel Uganda, and ATC Uganda to officially launch “TOKIGEZA”, a nationwide anti-vandalism campaign aimed at safeguarding the country’s critical telecom infrastructure. “Tokigeza”, a Luganda phrase meaning “Don’t do it”, serves as a powerful call to action under the campaign theme: “Stop the Disruption. Protect Your Connection.”

The campaign follows the National Telecom Stakeholder Forum on Vandalism held last year and aligns with a high-level commitment from His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, who pledged decisive action to tackle vandalism targeting telecom infrastructure.

Vandalism has increasingly threatened Uganda’s communication backbone, with telecom operators reporting over 820 incidents of cable theft, 283 cases of fuel theft, 90 battery thefts, and multiple network disruptions between 2022 and 2024. These acts have caused major service outages, with some lasting more than 134 hours, crippling services in key districts such as Sheema, Kaliro, and Masaka.

While launching the campaign today at the UCC head offices in Kampala, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of UCC, reinforced this commitment:

“Telecom infrastructure is the backbone of our development. Vandalism disrupts lives, security, and opportunity. TOKIGEZA is our united front to stop this trend.”

Nicholas Beijuka, the General Manager of Capital Projects at MTN Uganda, emphasized the human impact of these crimes:

“As the largest telecom operator in Uganda, we’ve seen firsthand the pain caused by outages due to theft and vandalism. When a tower is vandalized, it’s not just equipment lost, it’s your child missing an online class, your loved one unable to reach help in an emergency, or your business losing revenue. Through TOKIGEZA, we are calling on every Ugandan to help protect what connects us all.”

The campaign comes on the heels of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s pledge to support the designation of telecom towers as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). This designation will allow for tougher penalties, enhanced enforcement, and integration of telecom security with national surveillance systems. The President also backed legal reforms to categorize vandalism of telecom infrastructure as economic sabotage, signaling a new era of accountability.

MTN Uganda, alongside its industry peers, is investing in community sensitization, renewable energy, and network expansion—but these efforts are jeopardized by continued vandalism.

“We believe community partnerships are essential to securing our network,” added Beijuka. “We are working closely with UCC, government agencies, landlords, boda boda riders, and local leaders to create a united front against this growing threat. TOKIGEZA is not just a campaign—it’s a movement.”

Mr. Soumendra Sahu, Managing Director of Airtel Uganda, echoed the need for legal reforms and heightened vigilance:

“Telecom infrastructure is strategic to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and must therefore be jealously protected. We support the call for comprehensive legislation and stronger policing. Airtel Uganda remains committed to working with UCC, government, and fellow operators to ensure that this campaign doesn’t just create awareness, but drives accountability.”

Ms. Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda, CEO of ATC Uganda, also expressed strong support for the campaign and emphasized the collective responsibility required to protect infrastructure:

“Our infrastructure plays a pivotal role in connecting millions of Ugandans to essential services—from mobile banking to emergency healthcare. Every time a tower is vandalized, communities are silenced, and progress is delayed. ATC Uganda is fully committed to working with government, operators, and communities to ensure that no one is left behind because of criminal activity. Through TOKIGEZA, we are educating the public, strengthening our systems, and calling on every Ugandan to become a protector of our shared digital future.”

The campaign also champions several strategic interventions such as: Tougher penalties through amendments to the Penal Code Act, regulation of the scrap metal industry, a known channel for stolen telecom materials, formation of a multi-agency taskforce to tackle telecom sabotage and the integration of tower security with Police CCTV surveillance systems.

MTN Uganda urges all sector players, including ISPs, infrastructure landlords, community leaders, and citizens, to rally behind TOKIGEZA. The public is strongly encouraged to report vandalism through the toll-free hotline 0800282662.