Uganda is experiencing a sharp surge in internet consumption as digital payments and e-commerce continue to reshape the economy.
According to the latest report by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the average Ugandan now consumes 5.1GB of data per month, up from 4.3GB in the first quarter of 2025 — a 19% increase in just three months.
The spike in internet usage coincides with a record 2.18 billion mobile money transactions registered in the second quarter of 2025, reflecting a growing reliance on digital financial services for trade, bill payments, and peer-to-peer transfers.
While data usage has nearly doubled year-on-year, UCC’s report also shows that average voice call time per user dropped to 174 minutes per month, signaling a shift away from traditional telephony toward data-driven communication such as WhatsApp calls, video meetings, and social media messaging.
“We are seeing a fundamental shift in consumer behavior. The economy is becoming more digital, and that means more demand for affordable, high-speed internet,” said a UCC spokesperson.
Industry experts attribute this growth to expanded 4G and emerging 5G network coverage, competitive data bundles, and the rise of remote work and online learning.
E-commerce platforms and small businesses are also benefiting, with more customers shopping, banking, and paying digitally.
However, affordability remains a concern for many users. The average cost of 1GB of mobile data in Uganda still ranks among the highest in East Africa, prompting calls for telecom operators to review prices to match the growing demand.
The government has pledged to accelerate the rollout of the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) to expand broadband access to rural areas, where internet penetration remains lower than in urban centers like Kampala, Entebbe, and Mbarara.
Analysts say Uganda’s rapid digital adoption presents opportunities for innovation in fintech, education, and health sectors, but also calls for stronger cybersecurity frameworks to protect users from fraud and data breaches.
