Airtel Uganda has today made a major leap in consumer protection by unveiling its revolutionary AI-powered Spam Alert Service—becoming the first telecommunications provider in East Africa to offer network-level defense against fraudulent messages.
The new service, automatically enabled for all Airtel customers at no extra cost, requires no downloads or user activation. It represents a major stride in Airtel’s commitment to safeguarding its subscribers from digital fraud.
According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), more than 60% of mobile users in Uganda receive potentially fraudulent messages on a weekly basis. In 2024 alone, Ugandans lost an estimated UGX 23 billion to mobile-based scams. Vulnerable groups—especially rural populations and first-time smartphone users—have been hit hardest, with nearly 40% reporting that they’ve fallen victim to mobile fraud.
Airtel’s Spam Alert Service leverages sophisticated AI technology to analyze over 250 parameters in real time. Suspicious messages are instantly flagged with a “SPAM ALERT” label before reaching customers.
The service operates with a proprietary dual-layer system—working at both the network and IT levels—capable of scanning over 1.5 billion messages in just 2 milliseconds, all while preserving customer privacy by not reading individual message content.
One of the standout features is its ability to detect malicious links in SMS messages. By checking against a continuously updated blacklist of harmful URLs, the system warns users before they click on potentially dangerous links.
Speaking at the launch event in Kampala, Airtel Uganda Managing Director Som Soumendra said: “At Airtel, innovation must serve a real purpose. That’s why we’ve introduced the Airtel Anti-Spam Service, powered by AI, as a digital safety net for our customers and the broader ecosystem.”
He added: “Protecting our customers from digital fraud is a top priority. Our mission goes beyond connectivity—we want to support Ugandans as they navigate the digital age. With greater access comes greater responsibility, and we’re proud to lead in raising the bar for network-level security.”
Guest of honour, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister for ICT and National Guidance, commended the move: “Airtel Uganda continues to demonstrate itself as a forward-thinking partner in our vision for a digitally secure nation. This AI-driven anti-spam solution is exactly the kind of innovation we hoped for when developing policies aimed at tackling online fraud. The government is fully committed to supporting private sector initiatives that prioritise both innovation and public safety.”
What sets this service apart is its deep contextual understanding of the Ugandan digital landscape. The AI has been specifically trained to identify local fraud tactics, including mobile money scams, fake job offers, and impersonation of government officials. As users report suspicious messages, the system learns and evolves, becoming even more effective over time.
George William Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the UCC, emphasized the importance of the development: “Our mandate includes protecting the public from communication-related threats. We’re pleased to see Airtel Uganda applying Artificial Intelligence in a practical and impactful way. Scam follows spam, and today’s launch is a powerful step toward curbing that trend.”
With this launch, Uganda becomes the first of Airtel Africa’s East African markets to implement the AI Spam Alert Service. Plans are already underway to roll out the technology across the continent in the near future.
