Uganda eyes space technology to boost internet

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Uganda and other East African countries are looking to come up with a satellite project aimed at boosting internet across the region, according to Uganda's ICT and national guidance minister, Dr Chris Baryomunsi.

“Our internet source is largely the optical fiber cable but we are looking at expanding the different internet sources," he said on Thursday.

"One of them is space technology, which has satellites as part of the systems to give us internet.

"This is a bit expensive for Uganda alone and now we are in talks with other East African countries to see whether we [can have] a satellite project for the East African Community."

Satellite internet uses satellite technology to provide internet service instead of using traditional land-based infrastructure such as fiber optic lines.

It relies on communication satellites that orbit the Earth.

Baryomunsi revealed the internet plans during a media briefing after meeting with Iranian officials at the ICT Hub in Nakawa, Kampala.

Inviting Iranian investors to Uganda, he made a case for the investment opportunities in the country — also presenting the win-win prospects for both nations.

For instance, the ICT minister said that Iran stands to benefit from Uganda’s favourable investment and tax holiday policies for investors.

He said Uganda's young population that is keen on technology can learn from technologically advanced Iran.

According to a recent report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), Iran is among the top ten science and technology superpowers in the world.

"The majority of phones, laptops, and other smart gadgets are being manufactured locally there in Iran,” said Baryomunsi.

In the context of South-South collaboration, he said Uganda is "discussing how their [Iran's] skills and technology can be transferred to our Uganda population".

"We would like investors from the Republic of Iran to come and establish manufacturing plants, factories, and industries."

It is understood Uganda and Iran plan to sign a memorandum of understanding that will concretize their partnership in different sectors.

“The delegations revealed that they resolved to have independence in terms of military equipment, ICT, and related technologies. As Uganda, we would love to learn from them [on] how they are managing to develop their ICT system so that we can also be in a position to adopt and also move faster than how we are currently moving,” Baryomunsi told reporters.

Meisam Abedi Koushul, Iran's deputy ICT minister who attended Thursday's meeting, revealed that his coming to Uganda aims to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries.

“When our president visited Uganda [in July 2023], he was warmly welcomed and we are here to strengthen them [ties] more," he said.

"Soon, our minister for ICT will also visit all the East African countries, including Uganda, where he will strengthen further ties between our countries."

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited Uganda as part of his three-day Africa tour. He was also in Kenya and finally in Zimbabwe.

It was the first trip by an Iranian president to Africa in 11 years.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, minister Baryomunsi said that Uganda has made some strides in the ICT sector.

“We have been laying the infrastructure for ICT such as optical fibers, data centres, and ICT hubs that have been set up for the youth."