Vodafone’s data Add-ons add more value to already existent bundles. At the moment this includes an equal data volume at a slightly lower charge. So for UGX 2,000 you pay for 100MBs of data, you can purchase an add-on for another 100MBs at UGX 1,700. A daily 400MBs going at UGX 7,000 allows you an add-on for UGX 6,000 giving you another 400MBs. This add-on business isn’t unique to Uganda however. A quick online search indicates that Vodafone has effected add-on data and call bundles across various regions where it operates. Under the new data plan, Vodafone also offers uncapped data speeds and sharing data bundles across multiple devices. This add-on data unfortunately is an orphan bundle. When your actual bundle expires, so will the add-on. Additionally, we are still not convinced this will indeed be uncapped data. From experience, terms and conditions often translates to the data getting capped after reaching a certain threshold. We have also observed, that under this new arrangement, Vodafone has done away with the pocket-friendly 50MB bundle. This bundle cost UGX 1,000, a price people on the move were comfortable paying for light browsing. Therefore it’s baffling why Vodafone would get rid of it. To borrow a popular Luganda phrase popularised by Pastor Imelda Namutebi, Vodafone, akati tekyáyagala binnusu. Those who can’t afford Vodafone’s new rates might soon have to look elsewhere if they want to access the internet.
