The World Bank has approved $200m to finance access to high speed, affordable internet, improve the efficiency of digitally-enabled public service delivery, and strengthen digital inclusion in Uganda.
The global financial institution stated this on Thursday, hinting that the figure covered a loan of $140m and a grant of $60m.
It said the finances would be used to run the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project.
According to the bank, the project will support the extension of 1,000 kilometres of the national backbone fiber infrastructure, and an additional 500km of fiber optic network links between towns.
It would also support mobile broadband connections for 900 government administrative units and service centres in under-served areas, the bank said.
It added that over 820 Wi-Fi hotspots would be installed in select locations to support access to online services among rural and semi-urban communities.
“Transforming Uganda’s digital infrastructure is an urgent necessity for post-COVID-19 recovery,” the World Bank Country Manager for Uganda, Tony Thompson, was quoted in the official release.
“We look forward to the time when all citizens can access high-quality and low-cost internet, public services online, a digital economy driving growth, innovation and job creation,’’ Thompson added.
These digital platforms would create the foundations for better resilience and economic recovery by boosting the effectiveness of government e-services, the bank also said.
“It (the project) will help develop shared platforms for ministries, departments and agencies to efficiently deliver digitally-enabled public services to citizens and businesses throughout the country,” it added.
