Communications regulator, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has come out to clarify on the free data bundles that were being given to MTN subscribers on Tuesday.

According to information on social media, MTN users would receive up to 500MB of data upon dialing *131*4#, and the data was to be valid for a period of 10 days.

But as time progressed, customers started complaining that the telecom was slowing down the connection due to the free bundles, calling on the intervention of the regulator.

“The 500Mbs from MTN are said to have been given in error. They have since been deactivated so customers who received them may not be able to use them,” UCC clarified through their official Twitter platform.

“The operator [MTN] has since apologised for the inconvenience. Please contact the customer help line for clarification,” they further wrote.

The 500Mbs from MTN are said to have been given in error. They have since been deactivated so customers who received them may not be able to use them. The operator has since apologised for the inconvenience. Please contact the customer help line for clarification

— UCC (@UCC_Official) January 23, 2019

Controversy

Several commentators however, had thought that the data bundles were a ploy to shift online conversations from the turmoil at the telecommunications company which was started by the deportation of senior staffers.

Government on Tuesday morning had confirmed that the Chief Marketing Officer Olivier Prentout and the Head of Sales and Distribution Annie Bilenge Tabura had been deported for being involving in activities that compromise National Security.

Later in the night, the General Manager for Mobile Money Elsa Muzzolini was also deported for allegedly inciting violence.