New Communications Sector Report Highlights Efforts to Bridge Access and Usage Gaps

KAMPALA – December 15, 2025 – Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has released the Annual Communications Sector Report 2024, offering a comprehensive snapshot of Uganda’s evolving digital and communications landscape.

The report underscores the Government of Uganda’s strong commitment to narrowing the digital divide by expanding connectivity and improving access to communication services nationwide. It documents robust growth in mobile and fixed-line subscriptions, data usage, and digital financial services, among other key indicators.

Themed “Bridging the Access and Usage Gaps,” the report reflects a renewed push to ensure that every citizen, regardless of geography, socio-economic status, or background, can meaningfully harness the benefits of digital connectivity.

The year 2024 marked a major milestone, with mobile subscriptions surpassing the 40-million mark and internet users exceeding 15 million. By the third quarter of 2025, these figures had risen significantly. Active mobile subscriptions (90-day activity) grew to 45.7 million, while mobile internet subscriptions reached 17 million. Mobile money subscriptions climbed to 35.6 million, and smartphone ownership expanded to 19.0 million devices.

Social media usage also continued to grow. As of September 2025, WhatsApp remained the most widely used platform with 10 million subscribers, followed closely by TikTok at 9.3 million, YouTube at 6.3 million, Snapchat at 2.5 million, Instagram at 1.3 million, and X at 0.7 million.

Despite these impressive gains, the report notes that Uganda’s digital divide remains pronounced. In many areas, connectivity does not automatically translate into meaningful use, largely due to affordability challenges, limited digital skills, and a lack of relevant local content.

“This report illuminates these dynamics and highlights how the Commission, working closely with operators, has intensified efforts to narrow both access and usage gaps,” said Ms Julianne Mweheire, Director of Economic Regulation, Content and Consumer Affairs at UCC.

“By bridging these gaps, we are not merely connecting devices. We are unlocking human potential, pushing the sector’s contribution to GDP toward double-digit growth, and building a truly inclusive digital Uganda,” she added.

According to the report, mobile network coverage depends on multiple interconnected components, including passive infrastructure such as towers, satellite technologies, fibre backhaul networks, and base stations. Even when these elements are in place, coverage gaps can persist, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, leaving some populations without reliable mobile signals.

“Addressing coverage gaps allows us to then tackle the usage gap -the difference between those who have access to a signal and those who actually use digital services,” the report notes. “Closing both gaps ensures that essential services such as agriculture, education, and healthcare are accessible to more Ugandans.”

Sector growth in 2024 was driven primarily by sustained demand for data services, continued expansion of mobile financial services, increased infrastructure investment, and consistent regulatory stewardship across the communications value chain.

The telecommunications, multimedia, and postal sub-sectors remain among the most dynamic in Uganda, supporting over one million direct jobs and attracting more than UGX 3 trillion in new investment. The sector also continues to play a critical enabling role for businesses across the economy.

In line with national development priorities, ICT is recognised as a foundational pillar and a key driver of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, alongside energy, transport, and human capital development. Guided by the Digital Uganda Vision, the sector remains focused on harnessing digitalisation to spur innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth across all sectors of the economy.

See full report: https://www.ucc.co.ug/industry-reports/