Uganda
Uganda
Country Context
Uganda hosts more than 1.9 million refugees and asylum-seekers, the largest refugee population in Africa. The majority are from South Sudan and DRC, with smaller populations from Somalia, Burundi, Eritrea, Rwanda, Sudan, and Ethiopia. The country continues to uphold its progressive refugee policy, maintaining an open-door approach to asylum.
The Government of Uganda has also demonstrated strong commitment to digital inclusion, including pledging to Connectivity for Refugees at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum.
Country Statistics
Connectivity & Access
Uganda has well-developed mobile network infrastructure, with high 3G and 4G coverage, and 5G available to around 15% of the population.
However, despite this strong coverage, actual internet use remains very low, with only 9% of individuals using the internet as of 2024, reflecting significant gaps likely in affordability, device ownership, and digital literacy that prevent populations from translating network access into meaningful connectivity. These barriers are likely to disproportionately affect refugees and host communities.
Our Work
Our work focuses on expanding connectivity access for forcibly displaced and host communities through private sector partnerships and making robust mapping tools available that identify and address coverage gaps across the country.
Explore our work below:
Enhanced Digital Access with MTN Uganda
In partnership with MTN Uganda, we are designing a holistic support portfolio to advance digital inclusion of refugee-hosting areas. Our efforts will focus on expanding network use and device affordability, while strengthening digital skills.
Network Access Monitoring
To monitor network access in refugee camps, an initiative in Uganda combines crowdsourced and field measurements to assess mobile coverage and performance. Using DCM and EWCM, it maps and monitors mobile network access across 30 refugee camps hosting 1.56 million people. A crowdsourced Speedchecker campaign collected approximately 48,000 measurements, identifying connectivity gaps and providing evidence to support efforts to improve digital access for displaced populations.
Broadband Map
ITU is mapping infrastructure to guide investment, enhance digital inclusion, and support digital transformation. This also helps identify connectivity gaps affecting refugees and host communities, enabling more targeted, inclusive connectivity planning and policy decisions.
Disaster Connectivity Map (DCM) and Early Warning Connectivity Map (EWCM)
The DCM and EWCM are ITU-led mapping tools that help governments and first responders assess telecommunications coverage, performance, and gaps before, during, and after disasters. Using network data and AI-driven satellite analysis, they support faster decision-making to restore and improve connectivity for affected and underserved populations in Uganda, including those who are forcibly displaced.
Key Country Partners
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