The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) has suspended the sale- and registration of SIM cards to corporate and government institutions following allegations of fraud.

The regulator said it has launched an investigation into the allegations and that no SIM card will be issued to any institution until the investigations have concluded.

UCC acting director general Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo said the organisation has received complaints of operators either failing to or refusing to adhere to the official SIM card registration process – specifically that which involves sale to corporate or government customers.

Under current regulations, businesses can have unlimited SIM cards registered in their name - as long as the person registering the SIM cards provides the necessary information, including articles and memorandum of association.

However, it is alleged that individuals are manipulating the system and handing over fake documentation in order to secure multiple SIM cards.

“The suspension is to avert the risk of further breach of law pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigations,” Sewankambo added.

She said the suspension will remain in place until the process of registration of SIM cards by companies and other corporate entities has been streamlined to plug gaps exploited by fraudsters.

Sewankambo said that SIM card registration for individual customers is not affected and that members of the public are advised to buy SIM cards from authorised agents in person and provide an original national identity and fingerprint information.

To date none of the operators have commented on the developments.

In 2019 the regulator suspended the registration of SIM cards using refugees ID cards, also citing fraud.