Questions Swirl Over Uganda and Tanzania Internet Infrastructure Deal

A wave of uncertainty has emerged regarding a proposed alternative fibre-optic infrastructure project linking Uganda and Tanzania. Pitched to the government by a firm known as Samanga Utilities, the initiative has sparked intense debate among industry observers and stakeholders.

According to correspondence from President Museveni dated June 23, the proposals from Samanga Utilities involve establishing an alternative internet route through Tanzania. The plan aims to tap into Tanzania’s high-capacity fibre-optic network at the Mutukula border point. Additionally, the proposal touches upon the automation of toll collections for the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, a subject that has previously faced parliamentary inquiry.

As questions swirl over whether Samanga is constructing a brand-new fibre-optic route or potentially taking over existing infrastructure from the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), digital rights advocates and industry experts continue to scrutinize the arrangement. Stakeholders emphasize that transparency in major telecommunications projects is vital for Uganda’s broader digital transformation and equitable internet access.

Read the original story on the Daily Monitor.