Airtel Uganda has reported a 41.
1 percent increase in profit after tax, reaching Shs 446.
9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025.
The telecom company said the strong performance was driven by changes in customer behavior and careful cost management.
For the first time in Uganda’s telecom sector, data revenue has overtaken voice revenue.
Data brought in Shs 1,101.
7 billion, higher than voice revenue which stood at Shs 1,026.
8 billion.
Although voice services are still important, the company said the focus has clearly shifted to data.
Data revenue grew by 22.
4 percent during the year.
This growth was supported by a 19.
6 percent increase in the number of data customers and a 14.
8 percent rise in data usage per customer.
The results are notable because local interconnect rates were reduced from Shs 45 to Shs 26 late last year, affecting voice income across the industry.
Managing Director and CEO Soumendra Sahu said total revenue grew by 13.
3 percent, while EBITDA rose by 24.
5 percent.
This pushed EBITDA margins to 54.
9 percent.
He said the company’s continued investment in network quality and customer experience helped achieve these results.
For investors on the Uganda Securities Exchange, the performance means higher returns.
The Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of Shs 3.
55 per share.
This brings the total dividend for the year to Shs 11.
15 per share, a 41.
6 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Despite the growth, challenges remain.
According to the GSMA, while Uganda has about 96 percent 4G population coverage, around 75 percent of people covered do not actively use mobile internet.
This shows that affordability, digital skills and access to smartphones are still major barriers.
Airtel Uganda said its own 4G network now covers 98.
9 percent of the population.
However, the next stage of growth will depend on turning coverage into active usage.
Looking ahead to 2026, Sahu described the coming year as transformative, with planned investments aimed at strengthening Airtel Uganda’s leadership in Uganda’s growing digital economy.
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