Uganda is charging full speed into the digital age, rolling out initiatives that expand connectivity, boost online services, and empower businesses and citizens alike. With telecom leaders and tech innovators at the helm, the country is building the infrastructure and skills needed to become a regional hub for digital growth and innovation.
Uganda is accelerating its journey toward a digitally empowered economy, with the Telecom Sector Power Forum 2025 in Kampala spotlighting the critical link between energy and ICT infrastructure. Held on August 5 under the theme “Powering the Telecom Sector to Drive Socio-Economic Transformation,” the forum brought together leaders from telecom, energy, ICT, and policy sectors to explore integrated strategies for national development.
Private sector leaders stressed the urgent need for bold partnerships and targeted policies to bridge service gaps, particularly in rural areas. Sylvia Mulinge, CEO of MTN Uganda, highlighted that “connectivity is only as strong as the power source behind it,” calling for clean, renewable energy to sustain telecom towers and ensure uninterrupted digital services. She emphasized that electricity underpins everything from e-learning and telemedicine to financial inclusion and governance, making energy a cornerstone of Uganda’s digital future.
Speakers pointed to persistent rural disparities: while national electricity access reached 51 percent in 2023, rural coverage lagged at just over 31 percent, leaving vast areas vulnerable to digital exclusion. Private sector participants urged integration of telecom infrastructure into the National Electrification Strategy to prevent deepening the digital divide, even as nearly 2,000 kilometers of electricity lines have already been extended to support network expansion.
Keynote speaker Henry Kerali, former World Bank Director for West Africa, stressed aligning telecom and energy investments with national priorities, while upholding Sustainable Development Goal 7 for universal access to modern energy. Fred Otunnu of the Uganda Communications Commission echoed the urgency, noting that Uganda’s digital economy cannot thrive without robust energy support.
Government officials outlined concrete steps to strengthen coordination. Ziria Tibalwa, CEO of the Electricity Regulatory Authority, called for electrification efforts to be anchored in the broader ICT and socioeconomic development agenda. Minister of State for Energy Sidronius Okaasai Opolot highlighted initiatives such as the Free Electricity Connection Policy, while announcing a coordination framework and interministerial taskforce to ensure synchronized planning and implementation between the telecom and energy sectors. Minister Chris Baryomunsi reinforced the message: universal, stable power is essential for a vibrant ICT ecosystem.
The forum underscored a shared vision: bridging energy gaps, powering telecom infrastructure, and integrating policies are critical to unlocking Uganda’s digital potential and ensuring that technology-driven growth reaches every corner of the country.