Google Mail or Gmail has made it possible for its users to send free SMS to mobile phones in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. Supported carriers in Uganda are Orange, MTN & Uganda Telecom. In Tanzania, Vodacom and Kenya: Safaricom, Airtel and Orange. These are the most widely popular telecom operators in each of these countries thus making a number of people in East Africa to enjoy this service.
To enjoy this service, a user has to have a Gmail email address or signup for a free email address from Google. Click here to read a great how-to send free SMS to mobile phones from GMail.