Customers desirous of benefiting from the switch to Smile offer must present their working Africell MiFi and SIM card, which will be swapped for a new FREE Smile MiFi device.

As society navigates to the new normal brought on by the COVID 19 pandemic, access to the Internet and digital technologies has become essential. It keeps us connected regardless of social distancing. Smile aims to provide continuity of online presence and affordable SuperClear voice calls (both local and international) for all Africell subscribers who wish to join the Smile network.

Africell subscribers will receive a FREE Smile MiFi when they take their working Africell MiFi to any Smile retail shop. These new Smile customers will receive a FREE Smile MiFi device + FREE SIM card after completing KYC, and as part of the device activation process, and will be required to recharge with a 15GB Monthly data bundle at only UGX 61,000. Included in this offer are unlimited FREE Smile-to-Smile calls as well.  

Unveiling this new campaign at the company’s headquarters in Bukoto, Felix Owilo, the Head of Marketing and Communications, expressed excitement over the roll-out of the service. He said that:

“This is a first-of-its-kind offer in the market focused on welcoming all the Africell subscribers to the home of SuperFast 4G LTE internet where quality and reliability is a standard. Smile’s commitment to the Ugandan market has never wavered, and we shall continue to come up with more innovative offers to ensure that all our customers get more value from our services “.

This offer is for a limited period and is only available to people with a working Africell MiFi. For more information on this campaign, customers have been encouraged to call or WhatsApp Smile’s dedicated 24-hour customer care team on +256 (0)720 100 100 or dial 100 from the SmileVoice app.

EDITOR’s NOTE: Part of this story is from an official press release shared with the Tech Point Magazine team.

In an announcement made by Africell Uganda, the telco has confirmed that new customers will not be allowed to register for services effective 8th September 2021. This will allow the telco to transition its old customers and provide smooth uninterrupted coverage before and after October 7th, 2021.

Africell UG is permanently ending all mobile network services in Uganda. By 7 October 2021, current Africell UG subscribers must close their accounts and switch to alternative mobile providers. Africell UG is providing support and guidance throughout this process.

This website contains information and resources to help you navigate this transition smoothly. We understand the impact that this change might have and we apologise for any inconvenience. We are grateful to all customers, retailers and other partners for their loyalty to Africell UG.

Africell Uganda stated in a Press statement

Currently, Africell is working with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), local mobile network operators, MTN, Airtel, Lyca Mobile, Smile Communications, and the Ministry of Gender to make the migration process smooth. Existing customers will be merged with a single mobile network operator whereas employees will keep at work until 30th November 2021 in line with guidelines from the Ministry of Gender.

Africell employees will get full salary payments, severance pay, payment of unused annual leave allowance, repatriation pay, and training & support from a dedicated on-site professional. This will facilitate and motivate all active employees to move on to new employers once Africell sends its last ping on Uganda’s network masts.

Prior to the unexpected exit, Africell Uganda was the 3rd largest telecommunications company with over 3 million subscribers finishing a podium led by MTN with 15 million users and Airtel in the mix with 10 million subscribers as of April 2020.

Since its launch to the Ugandan market, Africell has ranked as a fast, affordable network operator every mobile subscriber would prefer to use, and now, Airtel would rank as the second choice Africell customers will be migrated to.

For now, Africell Holding will continue operations in four (4) African markets including Sierra Leone, Gambia, The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Angola.

Africell Uganda as the 3rd most popular mobile operator has its official service center shops spread throughout the country for quick customer service delivery.

Though the telco doesn’t have many outlets as compared to rival providers like Airtel and MTN, it has its major shops set in strategic regional trade points.

In Kampala, the telco has a variety of shops led by its Headquarters at Clement Hill RD in Nakasero. Then, Entebbe, Mukono, Mbarara, Jinja, Arua have accessible Africell shops linked to swift service delivery, and here is the complete list with their respective addresses.

The List of Africell Shops (Service Centers) Locations and Addresses in Uganda

Following a pre-offers trend to gift customers with Free data and Minutes, Africell is offering 1.5GB data + 850 OnNet minutes for 6months. This means, once a customer buys the 4G powered phone, the offer is automatically loaded to the inserted Africell SIMCard.

Just like any other Smartphone-texture phone, the Vida K242 feature plus phone comes preloaded with a bunch of applications. These include WhatsApp, Facebook, Google Assistant, YouTube, and Google Maps.

Basically, Google services are pre-loaded as system defaults, and so, you can stream YouTube content, read your emails with the Gmail App, and browse the Web with Voice by toggling Google Assistant.

As per the device Specs sheet, Wi-Fi is a default, Bluetooth V4.0, GPS, and Dual-SIM support tag along with the phone Internals. Also, a single Rear camera + LED flash rule the phone’s rear-end as the front sports a Selfie camera, in-call speaker, then a soft buttons + screen layout.

Africell Vida K242 Specs

Africell Vida K242 Price and Where to buy from

Available at UGX 120,000, Africell’s new 4G feature plus phone is stocked in the telco’s countrywide shops. By features, the new Kai Os powered 4G phone closely matches with the MTN Smart (Kamunye), but differs by 4G support and introductory price tag.

MTN Kamunye launched with an introductory price tag of UGX 79,000. Hence, at UGX 120,000, Africell’s 4G Vida price tag goes high due to 4G support. But by Specs and feature layout, the 2Kai OS releases differ by a small margin.

Through MTN Mobile Money, Agents will be able to make direct recharges to Africell customers without the need to have an Africell money agent line. As a fact, getting Africell airtime or a don’t be cheated recharge has always been a tough task since several agents are usually limited to only MTN or Airtel network tiers.

Now that Africell recharges can be made directly through MTN Mobile money, this means customers can now choose between the already existing digital solutions like Payway, Ezzemoney, ChapChap or DFCU, and Stanbic ATM recharges.

However, Momo recharges are not available at MTN service centers but instead limited to only Mobile money agents as Africell outlets as well carry on normal duties of sim registration/replacements, 4G devices sales, phones and many more.

How you can buy Africell Airtime with MTN Mobile money

Unlike OTT tax where you can directly pay to your Africell number via the Mobile Money shortcode *185*2#, for direct Africell airtime you need to visit the nearest Mobile money agent who dials *185*2# to top up your Africell account with either a don’t be cheated package or Airtime.

• Visit an MTN Mobile Money agent
• Submit your Africell Number
• “Agent will dial *185*2# to choose Africell”
• Instruct the agent to recharge your Africell account with either an Airtime or Data purchase

During the Africell-MTN partnership launch today, the MTN Senior Manager for Mobile money services Chris SSali commended the new move as a beginning of a brighter path for direct Afrcell purchases off MTN Momo.

However, the officials from both sides didn’t confirm whether the new option will be lifted from agents directly to subscribers, but we hope to see a roll out from the camp very soon with an upgrade in the new top-up procedure.

MTN’s Gaga Wednesday was by far one of the best bundles for the midweek before Africell introduced don’t be cheated as a viable option on the same day. Well, the same happens to Friday which was ignited by Airtel and still, Africell popped out against the odds to prove its internet offers as the best.

Today we have a brief comparison between these two data offers as Airtel’s offer can only be activated on Friday as the competing offer is also available on Wednesdays. While Airtel offers both voice and internet on its package. Africell’s Friday offer also has minutes in the same chronological order as the Red offer.

Don’t be cheated Vs Freaky Friday in-depth overview

Before Africell opted to introduce a Friday version of its don’t be cheated offer. Airtel was offering a unique day offer where it borrowed a leaf from the Gaga Vs don’t be cheated channel with 4GB or 3GB data up for grabs changing per week.

Either way, we have a sample of Today’s offer (15th Feb 2019) and it’s our base to choose between which telco has the best and most affordable bundle. Additionally, both have minimum and maximum packages that give an even better in-depth view of the best offer in to choose.

OFFER	Minimum Data Offer	Maximum Data Offer	Minimum Minutes (Voice)	Max Minutes (Voice)	Validity
Freaky Friday	1.5 GB	4 GB	50 Min	100 Min	3 Days
Don't be cheated	1.5 GB	4.5 GB	30 Min	120 Min	3 Days

Before Africell crossed over to the Friday wing, it gave MTN a headless run before its current troubles to a point that Gaga Wednesday could only be activated through the easy to use MY MTN app. The same scenario crosses over to Airtel which follows its original offer caps as Africell stretches for more data at a favorable cost juiced up with on-net minutes.

With over 500MBs in extra for the don’t be cheated bundle, the orange flag lifts up the juicy king of the bundles’ flag since Airtel has close to the same offer but losing by a simple MBs increment. Hence, the additional quota data offered by Africell makes it more affordable and great to rely on.

The Price Differences

Airtel’s Freaky Friday usually costs 3000/= and 5000/= on a freaky inflated day, though the red telco usually limits its offer to 3,000/= with no 5K alternative. On the other hand, Africell’s don’t be cheated Friday offer is priced at 2500/= for the minimum offer and 5,000/= for the bucket day offer.

OFFER	Minimum Price	Maximum Price
Freaky Friday	3000/=	5000/=
Don't Be Cheated	2500/=	5000/=

Depending on the price scale between Freaky Friday and don’t be cheated, Africell seems to have a juiced affordable package than the original Friday offer creator. So, when it comes to the price, we are not sidelining with any of the telcos, but Africell really kills it with its offer low by 500/= which can be substituted to 2 days worth of OTT tax with a 100/= balance.

How to Activate Don’t be cheated or Airtel’s Freaky Friday offer

The two offers by Africell and Airtel are clearly sweet by the competition stunts where both telcos want to dominate Fridays. However, the two offers are activated differently and here is how you can do that on both Airtel and Africell.

Africell Don’t be cheated code

• Dial *133#
• Select Option 7
• Choose a desired offer depending on your airtime balance

Airtel Freaky Friday code

• Dial *149#
• Choose option 10
• Choose a desired offer depending on your airtime balance

Compiling up the affordability and bulk data Friday offers between Airtel’s Freaky Friday and Don’t be cheated. We think Africell is a lion on both sides giving MTN severe headache on Wednesdays though it has a 24hr limit as the Yello camp teases 3 days.

It’s by no surprise that the competition is sweet for everyone with a dual sim smartphone switching between packages like a car gear ballpoint. Nonetheless, if you have used or still use any of these two data offers, share with us your experience by voting for your best in the poll below or make your voice heard in the comments section below.

[totalpoll id=”6305″]

Before heading over to the next swipe, Africell Uganda has two main USSD codes — *133# and *134#. However, all services are embedded in these two codes making it easy to access each and every option. Nonetheless, let’s dive into what these codes offer beneath the main menu since *133# is mainly for data purchases as *134# serves the best Voice bundles in one root menu as Africell money racks at *144#.

*133#

*133# Option	Service
Option 1	mobile internet packages
Option 2	pay go services to activate roaming settings
Option 3	unlimited internet packages
Option 4	Happy Hour; buy a bundle at 500/- and use it for 1 hour from the time it is subscribed
Option 5	Happy night bundles from 12am to 6am
Option 6	paying OTT tax
Option 7	Reserved for the Special Wednesday bundle each week
Option 8	Triple data bundle package
Option 9	checking data balance
Option 10	purchasing the StarTimes bundle

*134#

*133# Option	Service
Option 1	Tokota Nnyoo for unlimited voice calls: Tokota Nyoo @500/- for 20 Minutes, 20MBs and 20SMSs valid for 24 hrs and Unlimited Tokata valid for 24 hrs.
Option 2	Paka Boom, special offer for every region in Uganda
Option 3	International Calls to most destinations
Option 4	Super Combo: calls, SMS and data at weekly, daily and monthly packages
Option 5	Ofwono Tooti; 30 minutes of calls at Shs500
Option 6	SMS bundles
Option 7	Supermix; data, voice and SMS bundles at different prices
Option 8	checking all the voice bundle balances

More Africell codes

*100# Main menu
*144# Africell Money
*131# Check Airtime credit
100 Customer Care
*133*6# OTT Tax

A breakdown of all Africell codes

SHORTCODE	FUNCTION
*100#	Main menu
*144#	Africell money
*133#	Internet bundles
*134#	Voice bundles
*131#	Check airtime balance
*133*6#	Pay OTT tax
100	Customer care line

Among the top Africell Money features, the ability to send and receive money is a top function with an added scribe of sending money to non-registered customers. Once sent, the receiving customer suffers no charges and tax on withdrawing.

Instead, the sending customer (registered) gets to clear withdraw charges when sending to a non-registered Africell customer. However, when sending to other networks (MTN, Airtel, UTL), charges are valid, and instant transfer is enabled as a default.

On top of sending and receiving, customers are also able to make Payments inclusive of Utility payments (DSTV, NSWC), PayTV, Taxes, then Goods and Services completing the Africell Money lineup.

How to use Africell Money

Unlike other Mobile money services that can be accessed using a single shortcode *185# or *165# for MTN, Airtel, and UTL customers. Africell Money can only be accessed using the telco’s *144# shortcode to access the main service menu.

So, to get started with sending and receiving money, you should dial *144# for the root menu which costs of sending, payments, my account among other options to get started.

Current Africell Money Rates

Africell Money Sending Rates

Africell Money Withdraw Rates

Africell Money Payment Charges

How about Mobile Money Tax?

Mobile Money tax of 0.5% of the total amount is applied on all withdraws as payable tax to URA. In case you wonder how much tax is charged on your cash withdraws, then, here is how it’s calculated.

• Received Amount: 50,000/=
• To Withdraw: Africell Money charges UGX 1,100 + 0.5% tax
• 0.5% of UGX 50,000 = UGX 250
• Total Withdraw Charges: Africell Money Charge UGX 1,100 + UGX 250 = 1,350/=
• So, your total withdraw Charge becomes UGX 1,350 to get UGX 50,000.

By Standard, the tax was first mounted as 1%, but with 0.5% now applicable on withdraws alone, the tax is affordable and in most cases, you may not realise the increase in charges.

Henceforth, with a low withdraw tax of 0.5%, you can choose to swiftly transfer money using Africell Money and face lower charges compared to other providers.

Nonetheless, Africell Money doesn’t have a wide chain of agents countrywide, but by the ecosystem standard, the telco is aiming at spreading its presence from not just towns, but also to remote rural areas.

A 10% airtime increase now means that a scratch card of Shs1,000 is sold at Shs1,100, the one of Shs2,000 costs Shs2,200 and the one worth Shs10,000 goes for Shs11,000. However, similar to other tax structure opposition, customers have again blasted the new taxes online in a bid for change in the pricing structure as new hashtags #NotoSocialmediatax and #ThisTaxmustgo continue to trend in Uganda.

The fate of scratch cards in Uganda

Telecommunication companies including MTN and Airtel together with Africell have for the past few weeks encouraged users to purchase airtime using digital methods for simplicity. The MOMO Nyabo promotion is as a result of this digital movement that is aimed at phasing out physical airtime cards in Uganda.

In a bid to avoid the 10% tax imposed on airtime scratch cards. You can buy airtime through alternative digital means like Payway, Pebuu, Easypay or more convenient methods you can choose from. Nevertheless, scratch cards have always been dangerous from the start when scratched with bare fingers to the skin.

Featuring a Mobile App, this is a revolutionary innovation in Uganda with Africell taking the lead in all telecoms to connect subscribers to their best television programming. This innovation is driven by the need to connect viewers to the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 on the go.

This means that viewers can enjoy the world cup action from anywhere and everywhere and to ensure easy accessibility, Africell has introduced discounted data packages dedicated to the App users with validity of up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Africell’s World Cup Data is accessible through USSD Code *133# Option 10.

These bundle rates are by far the most competitive on the market with a feature of Image Quality; Small Definition, High Definition & Ultra Definition.

The Mobile application is available to both Playstore for android users and AppStore for Iphone users. The process of live streaming will be as follows;

• Download the Star times mobile app from Playstore or Appstore accordingly
  Identify which channel preference you want to tune in to.
  Dial *133# Option 10 and select your bundle
  Enjoy the Livestream

Since Ugandans have more internet enabled smartphones and Digital TVs, it means all Ugandans will have an opportunity stream their favorite teams tussle it out with one another.

Startimes is the official FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 broadcaster of all the games with exclusive rights to broadcast all the 64 matches on its channels.

Note:Press Release