Airtel Uganda and MTN Uganda allow you to borrow data bundles and pay back when you can. This helps when you are in a place where you can’t easily access airtime or you’re broke. With the former, the program is called ‘Beerako’ while the latter’s program is dubbed ‘MTN Xtra Time’
To borrow data bundles from Airtel Uganda, you’ll dial *143*1#, while to borrow data bundles from MTN Uganda, you’ll dial *146# and then pick option 5.
Airtel Uganda allows you to borrow up to a maximum of 120MB, while MTN Uganda allows a maximum of 100MB.
Borrow data bundles from Airtel Uganda
When you dial *143*1#, Airtel will decide on how many data bundles to give you (I guess depending on how often you use their services and how much you spend).
The denominations are 10, 25, 60, and 120MB. The prices are not indicated. So, Airtel will decide on how much to charge you. For instance, when I borrowed 25MB, I was charged Shs326.
Alternatively, you can use the ‘Beraako’ route to borrow data bundles from Airtel Uganda by dialing *100#, then pick option 4, then option 2. The rest will be about following prompts.
Borrow data bundles from MTN Uganda
With MTN Uganda, after dialing *146#, a menu will pop up with different options and you’ll pick option 5.
When you choose 5, you’ll get the menu below.
Paying back
While Airtel Uganda will give you some minutes before deducting the money you borrowed after loading airtime, with MTN Uganda, the deduction is instant.
Related:
Unlimited data plans offered by telecoms in Uganda
MTN joins Airtel to offer OTT data packs
