MTN Uganda, the nation’s largest telecom operator, is expanding its network infrastructure in a push to bridge the digital divide and extend internet access to underserved rural areas.

In 2024, the company invested Shs418 billion ($110 million) in network enhancements. These efforts increased 4G LTE coverage from 85.1% to 87.9% of the population. Notably, 5G coverage, previously almost non-existent, now reaches 15.3% of Ugandans. MTN’s fiber optic network also grew by 47%, reaching a total of 17,774 kilometers.

Bayobab Uganda, MTN’s digital infrastructure arm, recently completed a 260-kilometer fiber line from Kampala to Malaba, utilizing the Uganda Railway corridor. This $4 million route connects Uganda to Kenya’s Mombasa landing stations, which serve as crucial access points for international undersea cables. The strategy of aligning telecom infrastructure with transport corridors aims to bolster East Africa’s digital and commercial integration.

This investment is part of a larger network upgrade that will continue through July 2025, focusing on improving voice, data, and mobile money services. The rollout prioritizes the Greater Central region before expanding to northern, eastern, and southwestern Uganda.

MTN is also extending its reach directly into homes with its WakaNet service, which uses fixed LTE and fiber. A new 5G-powered “Home” initiative will further expand high-speed wireless broadband to urban and peri-urban households that may not have fiber access.

“These initiatives aim to transform the digital experience for millions of Ugandans,” said Thomas Motlepa, Chief Technical and Information Officer at MTN Uganda.

He added that this transformation aligns with the company’s “Ambition 2025” strategy, which prioritizes digital inclusion.

The expansion comes as internet usage in Uganda continues to climb.

According to the Uganda Communications Commission Market report, the number of fixed internet users surpassed 106,000 by the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, with mobile internet users exceeding 19.5 million. The growing market has intensified competition among providers.

MTN Uganda’s investment is also expected to yield broader benefits, including increased productivity, improved public services, and a potential reduction in Uganda’s rural-urban divide.

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The government through the ministry of Finance has allocated Shs 814.2 billion to science, technology and innovation (STI) in the 2025/26 financial year budget with an aim to drive industrialisation, job creation and high-tech exports.

During the national budget speech delivered by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija on June 12 at Kololo Independence Grounds, the government emphasized that STI including ICT and the creative industry has been identified as a key driver in Uganda’s journey toward becoming a knowledge-based economy.

“STI provides an important avenue for the country to develop high-tech exports and add new sources of growth and jobs,” Kasaija said.

Among the notable achievements in the previous fiscal year was the completion and operationalization of the Kiira vehicle plant in Jinja. The plant now produces both electric and diesel buses, with 41 buses already assembled 29 of which are electric and can travel up to 500 kilometers on a full charge. The plant has signed a letter of intent to export 3,700 electric buses to West Africa and is projected to create over 14,000 jobs both directly and indirectly.

The government has also advanced its pharmaceutical innovation agenda, particularly in vaccine development and drug manufacturing. Dei BioPharma in Matugga, which has received a cumulative public investment of Shs 724 billion, has begun producing a range of generic medicines including tablets, powders, and antifungal drugs. The facility is now licensed by the National Drug Authority. Efforts are underway to develop vaccines for diseases such as Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and Rift Valley fever. Additionally, the Alfasan vaccine plant has been accredited to manufacture anti-tick vaccines.

Research and innovation at public universities have received increased support. At Makerere University, scientists developed a PCR testing kit that has been used in over 2 million COVID-19 tests at half the cost of imported alternatives, saving the country an estimated USD 37 million. Gulu University also contributed by developing rapid test kits for detecting cassava and sweet potato diseases.

The government has further invested in agro-industrial innovation, including the development of a coffee processing plant in Ntungamo. This plant will soon begin producing instant, roast, and ground coffee for local consumption and export. The initiative is part of efforts to promote value addition in Uganda’s leading export commodity.

In the 2025/26 fiscal year, the STI budget will prioritize scaling up vaccine research and production, supporting electric vehicle manufacturing, and advancing the development of industrial and digital technologies. Other key areas include investments in diagnostics, therapeutics, and ICT solutions, as well as the commercialization of scientific innovations and support for the creative industries. The government will also strengthen partnerships between academia and industry to ensure that research outcomes are translated into market-ready products aligned with national priorities.

The government aims to accelerate economic growth through industrialisation, commercial agriculture, digital transformation, and value addition.

Minister Kasaija noted that the STI agenda aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the upcoming Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which places knowledge-driven growth at its center.

The government maintains that science-led development will be critical in creating jobs, achieving self-sufficiency in health and food systems, and building globally competitive industries.

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The government has increased direct funding to vulnerable groups, including interest-free loans for women entrepreneurs, as part of efforts to promote inclusive economic development.

Ramathan Ggoobi, permanent secretary and secretary to the treasury at the Ministry of Finance, said the government is determined to eliminate intermediaries and ensure public resources reach those most in need.

Speaking at the Private Sector National Post-Budget Dialogue, Ggoobi said the government will disburse funds directly to beneficiaries using digital systems.

The government’s Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project will soon roll out interest-free loans targeting women in refugee-hosting districts, Ggoobi said.

The Ministry of Finance has supported over 2,540 women through GROW, with plans to scale up the program further in the next fiscal year.

A digital monitoring system, dubbed “EYED,” will track funds to individual enterprises and households, reducing misuse and ensuring productive use of development finance.

Ggoobi cited a reduction in income inequality, with Uganda’s Gini coefficient dropping from 0.41 to 0.38 over four years.

The government has earmarked 11.4 trillion shillings for health, education, social protection, and access to safe water, Ggoobi said.

Private sector leaders called for more targeted investment, systemic reforms, and increased access to affordable credit to unlock real impact.

Experts expressed cautious optimism about the government’s direction but urged more deliberate focus on implementation and local content.

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Equity Bank Group has expanded its comprehensive ethics and accountability program to Uganda with an aim of redefining corporate governance in East Africa.

The initiative shows the bank’s regional strategy to embed transparency, integrity and responsible leadership across all its operations.

Initially launched in Kenya, the ethics initiative has now been rolled out in Uganda, with Managing Director Gift Shoko underscoring the bank’s renewed focus on building a fair and transparent workplace where ethical behavior is the standard, not the exception.

“We are creating a culture where integrity is embedded in everything we do. It’s about more than rules; it’s about mindset,” Shoko told employees.

The initiative, introduced by Equity Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi during a recent investor briefing, includes sweeping reforms such as enhanced internal audits, rigorous performance evaluations, robust conflict-of-interest screening, and mandatory ethics training programs.

Crucially, the bank is also deploying advanced reporting tools and strengthening its whistleblower protection mechanisms to ensure staff across all branches—including those in Uganda—can raise concerns securely and without fear of retaliation.

David, a compliance officer at Equity, noted that the policy applies to all levels of staff:

“The fact that even senior staff are subject to the same standards has sent a strong message. It means no one is above accountability now.”

This regional ethics drive extends to Equity’s operations in South Sudan, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, positioning the bank as a pioneer in redefining ethical leadership in the financial sector.

Ugandan employees have welcomed the move, viewing it as a sign of serious leadership intent. Sarah, a customer relationship professional in Kampala, shared her optimism:

“This new move is restoring our pride in the workplace. It’s reassuring to know that performance and integrity actually matter.”

Analysts say Equity’s transparency-first approach is breaking from traditional industry norms where internal issues are often dealt with quietly. By openly embracing ethics as a core business pillar, Equity Bank is setting a new benchmark for regional financial institutions.

The reform is not just compliance-focused; it reflects a shift toward proactive, values-based governance that aligns with the evolving expectations of modern stakeholders.

As part of this transformation, the bank has even opened public channels for reporting misconduct, a move that demonstrates confidence in its systems and a willingness to be held accountable.

With this expansion into Uganda, Equity Bank is not only strengthening its internal controls but also sending a powerful message about the kind of leadership it believes East Africa’s banking sector needs.

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