State minister for Investment and Privatisation, Evelyn Anite has come out and defended that Government plans to make it mandatory for all Ugandans to own a Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) simcard just like national identity cards are.

Her remarks caused mixed reactions among Ugandans who would later mock her on Social Media.

However, the minister while speaking to journalists at the 3rd Kampala Private Equity Conference in Kampala Tuesday insisted that owning a UTL Simcard is a sign of patriotism and show of love for the country.

Anite noted that government institutions and officials, in particular, and Ugandans in general ought to have UTL Simcards.

““About 99% of the government officers are all connected to UTL. We are aware that most own two or even three phones, we are just urging them to make UTL to be very strong as we give all the financial support, which we are doing,” said Anite.

I think as a Ugandan, you should have a communication line that is state-owned, to show support to your country. That is the sense of patriotism,” she added.

Minister Anite while speaking at the UTL staff blood donation drive at the Constitutional Square in Kampala on Monday, noted that the mandatory simcard acquisition will start once UTL’s woes such as huge debts and management crisis have been fixed.

The government of Uganda took over Uganda Telecom after the Libyan majority shareholders abruptly withdrew early this year, leaving it with over Shs 1 Trillion in debt.