Airtel Uganda has significantly advanced its 5G rollout, revealing that 365 5G sites are now live across major towns including Kampala–Wakiso, Jinja, Mbale, Masaka, Mbarara, Gulu, Lira, Hoima, Fort Portal, and Kabale. This milestone marks a major step in bringing next-generation, high-speed connectivity to both communities and businesses throughout Uganda, just in time for the festive season, when data traffic traditionally surges as Ugandans return home for Christmas celebrations.
The 5G rollout, which began two years ago with just 50 sites in Kampala, has garnered attention due to its gradual pace. However, with this latest expansion, Airtel Uganda has addressed previous concerns about the slow progress, showcasing the company’s commitment to network densification and customer experience improvement. The recent surge in deployments reflects a strategic shift, with Airtel now focusing on extending coverage beyond Kampala to key regional hubs.
Soumendra Sahu, CEO and Managing Director of Airtel Uganda, emphasized the company’s ongoing investment in both 4G and 5G networks to meet the increasing demand for ICT services in Uganda’s growing digital landscape. “This network expansion is a crucial part of supporting Uganda’s digital transformation agenda,” he said. “5G’s greatest applications span across home broadband, digital learning, telemedicine, manufacturing, commercial agriculture, remote working, smart business solutions, faster content delivery, and improved customer experiences.”
Sahu also highlighted that the network expansion is driven by customer feedback, with the goal of enhancing user experiences, particularly in video streaming and other high-data applications. “We view 5G as an enabler rather than just a headline technology,” he added. “It’s part of our longer-term commitment to strengthening network quality, supporting the digital economy, and ensuring that high-capacity connectivity is available where people live, work, and do business.”
The expansion of Airtel’s 5G network in Uganda is set to provide faster, more reliable internet access, helping to drive the country’s digital economy while meeting the growing demands for connectivity in various sectors. As 5G technology continues to unfold, Airtel Uganda is positioning itself as a key player in enhancing Uganda’s digital infrastructure and fostering ICT adoption across the country.
