Telecommunications’ giant Airtel Uganda, the official telecom partner of the Papal Visit, has today announced a countrywide acquisition campaign where new subscribers will be given free blessed rosaries with the purchase of a new SIM pack.
This announcement comes a few weeks after Pope Francis, leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, visited Uganda to grace the 50th anniversary celebration of the canonization of its 22 Martyrs- among the 45 Christian converts who were executed in the 19th Century.
In a bid to raise more money to complete the construction of the shrines, Airtel Uganda will be selling SIM packs with a rosary – each at 4000 shillings with a percentage of the money being donated to the Catholic Church as proceeds towards the reconstruction and renovation of the Namugongo and Munyonyo shrines. In addition to the free rosary, the SIM card will have 20 minutes free talk time, 20 SMS and 20MB of free data.
Speaking at the press conference to announce the partnership, Airtel Uganda Marketing Director, Prasoon Lal thanked the Uganda Episcopal Conference Finance and Constructions Committee, the Kampala Arch Diocese and all Ugandans for their contribution towards the Pope’s visit and the completion of the shrines.
“On behalf of the customers and staff of Airtel Uganda, I would like to thank the Uganda Episcopal Conference Finance and Constructions Committee, the Kampala Arch Diocese as well as all Ugandans for their various contributions towards the preparations for the Pope’s visit and the renovation of the shrines,” he said.
Lal added that this is an opportunity for the Airtel Uganda customers to come in and contribute to this noble cause by buying these SIM packs and being part of the blessings that come with the rosary attached.