Kampala, Uganda – A report from Twaweza, an East African non-governmental organization, reveals a stark digital divide between Uganda’s urban and rural populations, with rural Ugandans facing significant barriers to political participation and access to government services due to limited digital connectivity.
This gap, the report warns, could undermine democratic engagement and hinder the progress of Uganda’s civic space in the long run.
The Twaweza report, titled “Who’s Engaged, Who’s Excluded? (Ugandan Citizens’ Opinions and Experiences on Media Engagement and Citizen Participation),” emphasizes that while digital engagement is becoming increasingly central to civic life in Uganda, a large portion of the population remains excluded from online spaces where key political discourse and government services are happening. With nearly half of Uganda’s population still living in rural areas, this exclusion has profound implications for how citizens participate in elections, public discussions, and policy decision-making.
According to the findings, while radio is gradually losing its dominance to TV, the internet, and social media among urban, younger, and more educated populations, these trends do not extend to all citizens. Poorer, rural, older, and less-educated Ugandans continue to rely heavily on radio as their primary source of news and information. The report states, “It is largely the young, educated, urban, and relatively wealthy citizens who are increasingly turning to TV, the internet, and social media for their news, leaving behind those who are less connected.”
“Access to digital tools such as the internet and social media is now essential for participation in Uganda’s democracy. But many rural Ugandans are not part of these conversations,” said Marion Turinawe, an MBA student at Cairo University. “This creates a significant barrier to informed decision-making, particularly during election periods or public consultations on national issues.”
The report highlights data from across the country, noting that nearly 80% of rural households still lack internet access, compared to just 20% in urban areas. This digital exclusion is not only a matter of connectivity but also access to the skills and tools necessary for effective online participation. As the government and political parties increasingly rely on digital platforms for outreach, rural Ugandans are being left behind, according to the study.
This digital gap is felt particularly acutely during election times. In Uganda’s 2021 general elections, for example, the heavy reliance on social media for political campaigning and voter engagement left many rural voters unable to participate fully in the process.
Political analyst and communication expert Dr. Gerald Walulya echoed these concerns, noting that digital participation shapes narratives. “For those in rural areas, this shift towards digital platforms is leaving them politically marginalized. It raises questions about whether our democracy can truly be representative when a significant portion of the population is left out,” Dr. Walulya stated.
However, it’s not just the political landscape that is affected. The growing reliance on digital platforms to access government services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has left rural communities struggling. Applications for social programs, health services, and business permits are increasingly being processed online, further alienating those without reliable internet access.
Agnes Grace Nabachwa, a community development worker from Yumbe refugee settlement areas, highlighted the consequences of these digital barriers. “Many government programs are announced on social media platforms like Twitter,” she noted. “But how many people from rural areas like Yumbe have access to these platforms, and therefore, to vital public information?”
Innocent Kawooya, CEO at HiPipo, a leading digital and financial inclusion advocate, emphasizes the need for affordable and reliable internet access. “Expanding broadband coverage, particularly in rural and underserved areas, is essential,” he says. “Partnerships between public and private sectors have demonstrated to accelerate this growth.”
Kawooya also stresses the importance of digital literacy, particularly among marginalized groups. “Programs targeting women, youth, and other marginalized groups are crucial to building a digitally literate population,” he notes. To aid this process, HiPipo has launched several initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide. Through its Include Everyone Program, HiPipo provides digital and financial literacy training to marginalized communities, empowering them to access and utilize digital tools. “We believe that digital inclusion is key to unlocking economic and social opportunities for all Ugandans,” Kawooya says.
The private sector’s contribution to Uganda’s digital transformation is crucial, according to David Birungi, Head of PR and Corporate Communications at Airtel Uganda. “The private sector, especially the telecom sector, continues to work with the government to implement affirmative action,” he said. Airtel Uganda pays 2% of its gross revenue to the government for financing investments in universal access infrastructure and programs. This is in addition to the company’s own investments in expanding its network and services.
“We have invested heavily in our mobile money ecosystem, which occupies a central role supported by our strong distribution network,” said Birungi. Airtel Uganda has also focused on expanding its network, distribution infrastructure, brand saliency, and people. “We are known as The Smartphone Network because whoever gets a smartphone across Uganda can latch on our 100% 4G and 5G-ready network,” Birungi explained.
Furthermore, Airtel Uganda has partnered with UNICEF to connect over 100 underserved rural schools to the internet, facilitating the transformation of digital learning.
The government of Uganda has made strides in improving digital infrastructure, but experts agree that a focused effort is needed to ensure that rural communities can access the same opportunities as their urban counterparts. The report emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive digital policies and investing in digital literacy programs for rural populations.
In response to these concerns, the Ugandan government has pledged to reduce the costs of internet to enable school-going children to embrace e-learning and discover new online innovations. The Permanent Secretary for the ICT Ministry, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, noted that high costs of internet are the main challenge preventing schools and rural populations from accessing the internet.
“We have realized that children, youth, and women are the most vulnerable when it comes to access to the internet due to the high costs, and this has been affecting the promotion of e-learning across the country,” she said. She added that the government has embarked on the process of reducing taxes on internet services so that even those in hard-to-reach areas can benefit from internet access.
“We know that a number of children have talents, but due to lack of internet, they cannot exhibit them through innovations,” she said. “As stakeholders, we have come up with a digital transformation roadmap to make sure that children are protected while using the digital space by creating regulations and policies to avoid cyber harassment,” she said. She added that the major issues in the roadmap include creating an enabling environment with the right laws, regulations, and policies to manage the digital transformation journey. “We have been talking about cybersecurity to ensure that children are safe and secure in the digital space, and this is the right time to look for a solution,” she said.
By press time, Ibrahim Bbossa, the UCC Head of PR and Relations, had not replied to an email seeking comment on the growing digital divide highlighted in the Twaweza report and the steps the Commission is taking to address this issue, particularly for rural and underserved areas.
