By Fidel Boy Leon
In an age where internet access is increasingly viewed as a basic utility rather than a luxury, Uganda has taken a bold step toward digital equity.
On July 13, 2025, the National Information Technology Authority–Uganda (NITA-U) officially launched free public Wi-Fi in Bwera Town.
The initiative, part of the larger Uganda Digital Acceleration Project (UDAP–GovNet), is a blueprint for inclusive development, and a signal that Uganda is serious about bridging the digital divide, starting with the grassroots.
Bwera Town, located near the DRC border in Kasese District, is not your typical tech hub. But that’s precisely what makes it the perfect pilot site.
The selection followed a targeted NITA-U study that identified underserved regions where digital infrastructure could have an outsized impact.
Now, with secure, high-speed broadband strategically installed along Mpondwe Road, residents, students, health centres, businesses, and government offices can access the internet at no cost.
“This intervention is more than just internet access, it’s about empowering people,” said Hon. Godfrey Baluku Kiime Kabbyanga, Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance. “When we bring connectivity to the grassroots, we equip citizens with tools to learn, earn, and engage with government services more easily. That is true transformation.”
The launch of public Wi-Fi goes beyond infrastructure; it’s a step toward practical, people-centred digital inclusion. Students can now access online learning platforms, health workers can access digital tools and patient databases, and local businesses can gain easier access to markets, suppliers, and e-payment systems.
Citizens, too, can engage with e-government services without the burden of costly data. This is digital inclusion in action, connecting communities to opportunity, services, and growth.
“Every citizen deserves access to an affordable and reliable internet,” said Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, Executive Director of NITA-U. “This is the foundation for innovation, efficiency, and service delivery across all sectors.”
The program focusses on expanding broadband infrastructure in underserved areas, promoting digital skills and literacy, improving access to e-government services, and encouraging private sector innovation in the digital economy.
The broader goal is to ensure that every Ugandan, regardless of geography, can actively participate in and benefit from a digitally connected society.
Bwera is just the starting point, with NITA-U set to expand public Wi-Fi to more towns and municipalities through a data-driven, community-focused rollout plan.
The launch of public Wi-Fi marks a promising step forward, but its long-term impact will depend on sustainability and scale.
For this initiative to truly transform lives, the service must be reliable, with consistent uptime even during peak usage. It must also be secure, safeguarding users from data theft, surveillance, and misuse.
Inclusivity is key, ensuring access for women, persons with disabilities, and all age groups. Most importantly, it must be useful, connected to essential services in health, education, and commerce. If these conditions are met, Uganda won’t just expand connectivity; it will fuel innovation, broaden opportunity, and deepen citizen participation.
In 2025, access to the internet is access to opportunity. It’s the gateway to knowledge, jobs, healthcare, civic participation, and global markets.
For too long, digital infrastructure has remained concentrated in urban centres. With this bold move in Bwera, NITA-U proves that rural communities deserve to be part of Uganda’s digital economy.