Uganda has made remarkable progress in expanding its digital infrastructure, with about 96 percent of the population now within reach of broadband.
Yet, more than 70 percent remain offline, revealing a persistent ‘usage gap’ that continues to limit opportunities in business, education, and healthcare.
According to Ms Angela Wamola, the head of GSMA Africa, Uganda’s growth in 4G coverage from 50 percent to less than 3 percent unserved within a decade is impressive, but adoption remains the major challenge.
She notes that despite strong connectivity, the majority of Ugandans have yet to experience the benefits of the digital economy.
This, she says, represents not just a statistical concern but a human story, one of missed opportunities for farmers, students, and entrepreneurs who could improve their livelihoods through digital inclusion.
Ms Wamola attributes the usage gap to affordability, low digital literacy, and limited local content.
Currently, an entry-level smartphone costs between $38 (Shs132,000) and $39 (Shs136,000), which accounts for about 39 percent of GDP per capita and almost 96 percent of the income for the poorest 40 percent of Ugandans.
About 35 percent of that price is due to taxes, making devices unaffordable for many.
She emphasizes that reducing the cost of entry-level smartphones to around $40 (Shs140,000) or less could open up access for millions, especially if supported by tax reforms and targeted digital skills programs.
MTN Uganda chief executive officer, Ms Sylvia Mulinge, says device affordability is at the heart of digital inclusion. She explains that while network coverage is nearly universal, access remains limited by cost barriers and energy challenges that discourage smartphone use.
Ms Mulinge says MTN’s long-term ambition is to make an entry-level 4G smartphone available for $20 (about Shs70,000) to $30 (about Shs105,000), a price range she believes could drive Uganda toward universal digital access.
She explains that expanding electricity access and improving battery efficiency remain key to ensuring users can keep their devices online.
She also calls for investment in digital literacy so that users can meaningfully apply technology in education, health, and small businesses.
‘Connectivity alone is not enough,’ she says.
‘We must also equip Ugandans with the skills to use the tools effectively while keeping sustainability and green goals in mind,’ she says.
From a regulatory perspective, Mr George William Nyombi Thembo, executive director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), says Uganda’s digital progress is now shifting from infrastructure development to promoting meaningful use.
While connectivity is important, adoption depends largely on affordability, relevant content, devices, and user literacy.
Mr Thembo says data costs have dropped by more than 50 percent over the last five years, thanks to competition and policy reforms.
Uganda’s mobile penetration has grown rapidly from fewer than 50,000 lines in 1998 to more than 40 million active subscribers today, with about 22 million internet users.