Airtel Uganda unveiled an AI-powered alert service today to combat fraudulent messages. This innovative service is automatically available to all Airtel customers at no cost, requires no app downloads or opt-in processes.
The service uses artificial intelligence to analyze over 250 parameters in real-time, identifying suspicious messages and marking them as “SPAM ALERT” before they can harm customers. This proprietary dual-layer protection works at the network and IT systems levels, processing over 1.5 billion messages in just 2 milliseconds while maintaining customer privacy by not reading specific message content.
A key feature of the service is its ability to detect malicious web links in SMS messages by cross-referencing against a constantly updated database of blacklisted URLs, warning users before they click on potentially harmful links.
“We’ve introduced the Airtel Anti-Spam Service, which AI powers to act as a safety net for our customers and the wider ecosystem,” Som Soumendra, Managing Director at Airtel Uganda, told the press at the launch event held at the Kampala Serena Hotel. “Alerting our customers on digital fraud is a top priority, and our commitment is not just to connect Ugandans, but also to support them as they navigate the digital world.”
Soumendra said the telco understands that with “greater digital access comes greater responsibility,” they are proud to lead the way in setting new standards for network-level security.
Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister for ICT and National Guidance, upon launching the AI-powered service, applauded the company once again for proving itself as a forward-thinking partner in the government’s journey toward a digitally secure nation.
“This AI-powered Anti-Spam service is exactly the kind of innovation we envisioned when creating policies to support tech-driven solutions to real challenges like online fraud,” he said in his speech. “As the government, we remain committed to supporting private sector players who prioritize innovation and public protection.”
What sets this service apart is its specific adaptation to the Ugandan context. The AI system has been trained on local scam patterns, including mobile money fraud schemes, fake job offers, and impersonation of government agencies that are prevalent in Uganda. As more users report spam, the system becomes increasingly effective at identifying new scam techniques.
According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) reports, over 60% of mobile users receive potentially fraudulent messages weekly. In addition, an estimated UGX23 billion was lost to mobile-based scams in 2024. The reports further show that rural communities and first-time smartphone users are particularly vulnerable, with nearly 40% reporting they have fallen victim to some form of mobile fraud.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of UCC, Eng. George William Nyombi emphasised that the Commission’s mandate includes safeguarding critical assets, consumers, and the public from different forms of communications-related harm.
“As a commission, we appreciate the dynamic nature of ICTs, and we are happy to see Airtel Uganda leap into the use of AI to solve a real sector problem, spam,” he remarks, phrasing it as “Scam follows Spam.”
The service has been tested for a couple of months before being officially announced to the public. Uganda becomes the first country where Airtel has its operations to have the AI-detection spam service.
Soumendra revealed that the parent company, Airtel Africa, plans to roll out the service across its other markets in the coming months.
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