Simcard agent sentenced over illegal registration linked to fraud case

Airtel Uganda SIM card registration agent Patrick Wanyera has been sentenced to one year in prison or a fine of Shs500,000 after being convicted for violating SIM card registration procedures.

Wanyera was found guilty of registering a subscriber outside an approved registration point, signing the registration form on behalf of the customer, and issuing a SIM card in breach of Regulation 28 of the Regulation of Interception of Communications Regulations, 2024.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) said the illegally registered SIM card was later used to defraud a student through a fake scholarship scheme, highlighting the risks posed by improper registration.

UCC warned that irregular SIM card registration creates opportunities for fraud, identity misuse and other crimes, and said it will continue strengthening enforcement to protect Uganda’s digital ecosystem.

The regulator also reminded communications operators that they may face penalties of up to Shs5 million for failure to prevent improper SIM card registrations under Regulation 27 of the regulations.

UCC urged SIM card agents and the public to ensure all registrations are conducted only at authorised points using valid identification documents.