Government to Connect All Sub Counties with Internet

The Ugandan government has announced plans to extend internet connectivity to all sub-counties across the country using a $150 million loan secured from the Exim Bank of China. The initiative, part of the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) Phase V project, aims to boost access to e-government services and bridge the digital divide.

"This is vital for ensuring that all regions benefit from the digital economy," said Minister for Information, Communication, Technology, and National Guidance, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi. The minister said the last-mile connectivity, the final segment connecting the NBI to end-users, is essential in achieving comprehensive access to e-government services.

Baryomunsi revealed the plans during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. The project will extend high-speed internet to sub-counties, complementing existing efforts to connect ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and district headquarters.

The $150 million loan supplements the $200 million Uganda Digital Acceleration Project (UDAP), funded by the World Bank, of which $60 million is a grant. Under UDAP, the government plans to expand optical fiber networks to 63 additional districts, build 21 transmission sites, and deliver last-mile connectivity to 2,800 sites nationwide.

To date, the NBI has covered 4,298 kilometers of optical fiber cable, connecting 1,567 MDAs, hospitals, districts, and other entities. Border points have also been linked to facilitate customs clearance, immigration, and e-Visa applications.

"Government has witnessed an increase in the adoption and use of e-services, which has increased efficiency and improved public service delivery. We will benefit from economies of scale and bring the cost of internet bandwidth further down," Baryomunsi said.