The Indian telecoms giant Airtel has announced a change in its top management in Uganda.
In a short statement on Thursday, the company announced that its “Managing Director, Anwar Sousa takes over from Tom Gutjahr, who will be leaving the business at the end of May 2016 to pursue other opportunities.”
Although the Airtel management did not give any definitive explanation for recalling Mr. Gutjahr, in the past weeks local media reported alleged maladministration within the management of the telephone company notably how he handled their row with Africell over fibre cables.
Airtel Uganda accused Africell Uganda of damaging their optic fibre cables in some parts of of Bugolobi, Jinja, Entebbe, Bwaise, Industrial Area and northern Uganda. The Lebanese owned Africell counterattacked with accusations that Airtel diverting their network infrastructure cable for their own use.
MORE: Africell Uganda fires back at Airtel as fibre theft scandal grows
“I am confident that under Anwar’s leadership, Uganda will continue to consolidate its position while providing the best in class services to Airtel customers in Uganda,” Airtel Africa’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Christian de Faria said about the new appointment.
Anwar has had a long stint in the telecommunication industry in Africa. He joined Airtel from MTN Cyprus where he served as the Chief Operating Officer.
Airtel acquired Warid Telecom in 2013 for $500m (Shs1.8 trillion) and gave it some numbers to become the number two after MTN.
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