Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has renewed his call for greater government control over the country’s internet infrastructure, arguing that leaving core systems in the hands of private companies drives up costs and undermines national interests.
Speaking during a press briefing, President Museveni said that private ownership of essential digital infrastructure encourages monopolies that prioritise profit over public affordability. He maintained that this results in unnecessarily high data prices for ordinary citizens.
“The internet should not be owned by private people. When business people monopolise it, they are after money. That’s why the backbone should be owned by the government,” Museveni said.
According to the President, the State must hold authority over key transmission lines to guarantee low-cost, reliable connectivity across the country. While acknowledging the contribution of private service providers, he insisted that they should operate at the service level—not control the foundational systems that determine national pricing.
Linking Technology to Uganda’s Past and Future
Museveni reflected on Uganda’s technological evolution, comparing the digital era to his experiences during the liberation struggle. He recalled moments when estimating distances with the naked eye was the only means of determining target range.
“When we were fighting in the early days, I had to use my eyes to estimate how far the enemy was. These days, with laser, it tells me exactly where the target is. I don’t have to calculate,” he said.
He argued that such advancements reinforce the need for government protection of digital infrastructure, adding that secure, affordable internet is now a national necessity.
Government Push for Affordable Internet
Museveni reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reducing data costs countrywide, noting that expanding the national fibre optic network is a central part of the plan.
The President—who has ruled Uganda since 1986 and is seeking a seventh term—has overseen significant investment in the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI). In 2024, he launched Phase V of the project, which aims to add 5,845 kilometres of fibre optic cable to the existing 4,387 kilometres already laid.
During the launch, Museveni highlighted the NBI’s role in national development:
“The NBI will connect all administrative units and facilitate access to critical e-services, education, healthcare, and business opportunities.”
Officials say the expansion will reduce the cost of doing business, strengthen public service delivery, and help close the digital divide between rural and urban communities.
Balancing Public Control With Private Participation
Although Museveni emphasised government ownership of core infrastructure, he clarified that private companies would continue providing retail internet services. The State’s control, he said, would keep transmission affordable while allowing private competition to flourish at the distribution level.
His remarks come amid ongoing public debate about data pricing, digital rights, and the future of connectivity in East Africa. As online services become increasingly central to economic growth, Uganda’s approach to internet governance is attracting regional attention.
