Fixed broadband provider Savanna Uganda has officially entered the country’s competitive mobile telecommunications sector, transitioning from a strictly Fiber-to-the-Home provider into a fully integrated Mobile Network Operator (MNO).
The move intensifies competition in a market traditionally dominated by giants MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda. Initially launching across Kampala and the Greater Kampala region, the new service introduces a converged billing model that allows existing home or office fiber internet clients to add mobile SIM cards to their subscription plans for an incremental fee, managing both fixed and mobile services under a single account.
Speaking at the launch, Savanna Uganda Chief Executive Officer Alex Wanyoike described the expansion as a milestone for both the company and the country’s digital economy.
“Today marks a transformative moment for Savanna Fibre Uganda and for the people and businesses we serve,” Wanyoike said. “We are proud to extend our robust fiber-driven customer model into mobile, delivering truly unlimited voice and data at an affordable incremental price.”
He added that integrating mobile SIMs with existing fiber plans would create a seamless and scalable connectivity experience, setting “a new standard for value, simplicity, and performance in Africa’s telecom landscape.”
Savanna’s entry comes at a time of robust growth within the local digital landscape. According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) market report for the first quarter of 2026, Uganda’s telecommunications sector boasts 61.6 million mobile subscriptions, 2.37 billion mobile money transactions, and Shs 1.6 trillion in quarterly sector revenues.
Industry observers view the launch as a significant disruption, particularly as demand for affordable high-speed internet and mobile data continues to surge among households, small businesses, and digital entrepreneurs. By offering “unlimited” packages; a major pain point for data-heavy users in Uganda, Savanna aims to carve out a niche among tech-savvy urban consumers.
The company is betting that its existing fiber customers will be the first adopters, adding mobile lines to their existing subscriptions. Whether it can attract customers who are not already using its fiber services remains to be seen.
While the immediate rollout focuses on the central region before expanding to other parts of Uganda, the company has set its sights on cross-border growth. Management indicated that its long-term strategy involves replicating this integrated connectivity model in other African markets, including South Africa.
The company stated that its expansion reflects a commitment to driving digital inclusion by leveraging its established fiber infrastructure to provide cheaper, more reliable communication services.
Savanna’s entry introduces a new dynamic to Uganda’s telecom market, which has been a duopoly for years. MTN and Airtel have dominated the sector, with other players struggling to gain significant market share.
Savanna’s strength lies in its existing fiber infrastructure and its base of home and office internet customers. By bundling mobile services with fixed broadband, it is offering a value proposition that its larger competitors cannot easily replicate at least not without significant infrastructure investment.
However, the mobile market is capital-intensive, and Savanna will need to invest in network coverage, customer acquisition, and brand awareness to compete effectively. Its initial rollout in Kampala and the Greater Kampala region is a sensible first step, but expansion to other regions will require further investment.
Savanna has not disclosed specific pricing for its mobile packages, nor has it provided details on network coverage or data speeds. The company has also not indicated whether it will offer mobile money services, a key revenue driver for MTN and Airtel.
For now, the entry of a new mobile operator is welcome news for consumers who have long complained about high data costs and limited choice. Whether Savanna can sustain its challenge and expand beyond its existing customer base will determine whether it becomes a genuine competitor or remains a niche player.
