Digital inclusion must go beyond connectivity, stakeholders say

What the report says

Stakeholders in Uganda are urging a broader approach to digital inclusion, arguing that connectivity alone is not enough for underserved communities to benefit from the digital economy. The call was made as the Leaving No One Behind in the Digital Era (LNOB) programme concluded at Sheraton Hotel Kampala, with participants emphasizing the need for continued investment in digital skills, infrastructure, services and access to finance.

According to Nile Post, the programme was implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) with government, development and private-sector partners. It began in 2019 and focused on four linked areas: last-mile digital infrastructure, innovation in digital business models, digital and financial skills, and policy and consumer protection. The initiative paid particular attention to Northern Uganda and West Nile, including communities affected by conflict and refugee-hosting areas.

Speaking at the closing event, UNCDF representative Ian King said the goal was to make digital access useful in daily life, not merely to connect people to a network. Other speakers pointed to continuing barriers in rural areas, including weak internet coverage, unequal access for women, and the fact that registration for digital services does not always lead to regular use. The programme also worked in agriculture, education and health, where digital tools have helped with inputs, services and record keeping.

The broader significance, as presented in the article, is that Uganda’s digital transformation will depend on whether new services can reach the last mile and remain commercially sustainable after donor support ends.