Airtel Uganda Pulls Down Billboard After Complaints by Catholics

Uganda’s High Court has summoned Airtel Uganda after complaints were lodged over one of the billboards erected in Kampala which reads  “Airtel Cleaner than the Rubaga Bell” . Many Catholics were not pleased with the wordings on the billboard since Rubaga Bell is an ancient church bell in the Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala. Immediately after receiving the summons, the cellular network operator took down the billboard without much info on why they did so.

The court has given Airtel 15 days from May 24th to respond to the summons. Albert Kakooza and Robert Mujuzzi, both Catholics, sued on behalf of fellow Catholics in the country arguing that their faith was insulted by the wrongful commissioning of the sacrilegious and offensive message conveyed through the billboard. Some other Catholics have urged fellow believers to search their souls and get their humour back.

The billboard was strategically placed on Rubaga Road towards Rubaga Cathedral and was only taken down after Uganda Communications Commission ordered its removal. The billboard was designed by two public relations and advertising consultants Moringa Limited and Image Crusade Advertising and PR Limited.