An empirical assessment of the current state of mobile network deployment in Uganda

This study reviews mobile network deployment in Uganda concerning the goals of Uganda Vision 2040. A survey of 109 telecommunications professionals from operators like MTN and Airtel reveals a moderate deployment level (mean = 2.61; SD = 1.11), limited by infrastructure issues. Despite 12,000 km of fiber optic cables, usage is restricted by routing inefficiencies and lack of infrastructure-sharing. The 3,517 mobile towers are inadequate for universal coverage, resulting in poor signal quality and hindering advancements like 5G. Data infrastructure appears stronger (mean = 3.88), but access remains predominantly mobile with minimal fixed-line use. A pronounced digital divide exists between rural and urban areas due to geographic and power supply issues, coupled with profit-driven deployments prioritizing urban centers. Investment in Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) connectivity is deficient (mean = 2.44), adversely impacting remote populations. Overall, Uganda's mobile network faces significant infrastructure gaps, fragmented ownership, and insufficient policy enforcement, necessitating enhanced government efforts, infrastructure-sharing, rural expansion, and comprehensive digital strategies for equitable access.