South Sudan to stop using Ugandan country code

August 19, 2008 (Edmonton AB, Canada NSV) - South Sudan will cease the use of Uganda’s national phone code +256 as of October, Uganda’s parliament has been told, based on a report published by The New Vision website.

“We have been informed by the Sudanese government that in October, there will be no need for them to use our +256 telephone code,” the information and communication technology minister [for Uganda], Ham Mulira, said on Tuesday.

Uganda’s parliament has long inquired on how South Sudan telecommunication network, Gemtel, got the permission to use its country code to no avail. There has been high controversy and secrecy surrounding Gemtel’s ownership, which is allegedly known to be owned by South Sudan Minister for Telecommunication and Postal Services, Gier Chuang Aluong.

Aside from its mystery, many Sudanese in the Diaspora regard Gemtel as ineffective. In April this year, petitioners from Jonglei asked their governor Kuol Manyang Juuk to provide alternative network for the area because it didn’t go through after a few more weeks after setup.

The Minister of Telecommunication and Postal Services could not be reached for comments.