The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Uganda, Soumendra Sahu, has commended customers, employees and partners for their contribution to the company's 2025 performance, describing the year as one of disciplined execution and strategic progress.
According to results for the year ended December 31, 2025, Airtel Uganda reported a 41.1% increase in profit after tax to shs 446.9 billion, driven by sustained changes in consumer behavior and disciplined cost management.
In a historic first for Uganda's telecom sector, data revenue overtook voice revenue. Data revenue rose to shs 1,101.7 billion, surpassing voice revenue of shs 1,026.8 billion. While voice services remain important, the company's revenue center of gravity has clearly shifted.
Data revenue grew 22.4% year-on-year, supported by a 19.6% increase in data customers and a 14.8% rise in data usage per customer. The figures highlight the deepening reliance on mobile internet services across households and businesses, reinforcing the permanence of Uganda's digital migration.
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Commenting on the company's results, Sahu expressed gratitude to customers for their continued confidence in the brand, to employees for their commitment, and to stakeholders for their sustained support throughout the year.
He said the company's growth was anchored on its core values of being "Alive, Inclusive and Respectful," noting that these principles continue to guide decision-making and service delivery across the business.
He said the company will continue prioritising consistent, high-quality connectivity across both urban and rural areas.
Referencing Uganda's broader economic environment, the Airtel MD noted that stable macroeconomic indicators in 2025 -- including moderate GDP growth and easing inflation -- provided a supportive backdrop for business expansion and long-term planning.
"The country's strong macroeconomic indicators, including moderate GDP growth and easing inflation, give us confidence in our long-term strategy as a valuable player in Uganda's digital agenda," he said.
On broadband expansion, Sahu highlighted Uganda's strong 4G population coverage and acknowledged the challenge of the usage gap, stressing the need to move from connectivity to meaningful usage.
Sahu pointed to sustained investment in network infrastructure and service quality as a central driver of performance, emphasizing that improving customer experience remains Airtel's primary focus.
He said Airtel will intensify efforts to drive smartphone adoption, expand home broadband access and encourage higher data consumption across its customer base.
Addressing cyber risks, Sahu underscored the importance of customer protection as digital usage grows. He described the rollout of the company's Spam Alert service as part of a broader commitment to safeguarding customers and strengthening trust in the digital ecosystem.
"As access and usage grow, so do cyber risks. Our Spam Alert service is our way of protecting customers and strengthening trust in the ecosystem -- because scam follows spam," he said.
On enterprise services, he said Airtel will continue supporting businesses with scalable connectivity solutions, including Network as a Service offerings designed to allow organisations to focus on their core operations while Airtel manages their ICT infrastructure.
Internally, Sahu said the company has strengthened collaboration by shifting to cross-functional teams organised around clearly defined outcomes, a move aimed at breaking silos and improving accountability.
He added that employee engagement and recognition initiatives introduced during the year are intended to build a stronger performance culture.
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Beyond commercial operations, Sahu reaffirmed Airtel Uganda's commitment to digital inclusion, youth empowerment and education through partnerships and community initiatives aligned with national development priorities.
Looking ahead, he said the company will deepen investments in network expansion, explore satellite partnerships to enhance coverage, and continue working with policymakers and device-financing partners to accelerate smartphone penetration.
"Our focus remains delivering outstanding services and products through a distribution network that stays close to our customers," Sahu said, adding that Airtel is committed to creating long-term value for shareholders while contributing meaningfully to Uganda's digital transformation.
