Kigali restricts SIM card ownership

Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Authority (Rura) has notified mobile phone users about changes to SIM-card ownership regulations. The utilities regulator said from 31 January, customers will be allowed a maximum of three sim-cards on each network or a maximum of six – three on MTN and three on Airtel. Foreigners will only be allowed one SIM card on each network. The New Times reports that it said the new policy would have exemptions for specific cases such as parents with children under the age of 18, or businesses which required multiple SIM-cards for their employees. Applications for exemptions will be reviewed by Rura on a case-by-case basis. Among the challenges that triggered the changes include instances whereby SIM-cards are registered to different people other than their users. This, Rura says, hampers investigations by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau because it cannot track crimes effectively.