As of yesterday, while addressing UTL staff at the company’s blood donation drive, State Minister for Investment and Privatization, Evelyne Anite announced that government would make it a mandatory requirement for every Ugandan to own a UTL simcard. She emphasized that this would display patriotism and pride in for the country and its citizens.
“It did not take us to get somebody from another country to come and fix what is in UTL. I want to tell you something; that once we fix the problems in UTL, it is going to be compulsory for Ugandans to hold a UTL line just as it is for you to have a national ID,” she said.
However, this move has caused a lot of reactions – where stakeholders in Uganda’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector downplayed the move to make UTL Simcards a mandatory requirement for every citizen. On the other hand, ICT Association of Uganda (ICTAU) forum, stakeholders described the move as “sad and unfeasible” considering the storm that the telecom is going through.
To make the matter more interesting, Ugandans took it to micro-blogging website; Twitter with the #hashtag #tweetlikeanite to mock the State Minister, ranging from funny emojis, memes, pictures, hilarious lines, and so forth.
Its going to be compulsory for all Govt employees to have the national anthem as their ringtone. #TweetLikeAnite
— Marvin EL Smull (@smull_EL) June 20, 2017
All Ugandans must Own a Yellow Shirt/top in order to Promote NRM Party. #TweetLikeAnite pic.twitter.com/nc42oYZyOY
— Samwise Gamgee (@Sambannz) June 20, 2017
#tweetlikeAnite Ugandans need to step up their patriotism and have potraits of President Museveni in their homes.
— Saza CHIEF ♤ (@DonSeith) June 20, 2017
For any Ugandan constructing a House, The Foundation and floor construction must be outsourced to Dott Services #TweetLikeAnite
— Cave ? (@kevrx) June 20, 2017
It is going to to be Compulsory for Ugandans aged 30years and below to get NRM membership IDs #TweetLikeAnite pic.twitter.com/iYeA9rQ2Uc
— Enywaru ?? (@penywaru) June 20, 2017
Hon Anite, Get out of your Slumber !!! https://t.co/x5qQsKplPs @ugbloc #TweetLikeAnite @beewol @pyepar @qataharraymond @pkahill #Uganda
— James Wire Lunghabo (@wirejames) June 21, 2017
This comes after Libyan Post Telecommunications and IT Holding Company (LPTIC) who were the majority shareholder in the telecom firm, early this year in February made a decision to cease all further funding and investment in firm after accumulated debts and losses. With the firm almost facing closure, the government of Uganda later announced the takeover of the company’s management and affairs saying although LPTIC was their major shareholder, “their performance since 2007 has been characterized by indebtedness, decline in market share and losses.[related-posts]
Editor’s Note: Check out on the hashtag for more. You could also search for UTL!!
