• Minister calls for local device production to lower prices and boost digital use

• GSMA says device affordability remains key barrier to internet adoption

• Uganda counts 45.7 million mobile lines but 17 million internet subscriptions

Ugandan authorities are calling for local manufacturing of phones and computers to reduce costs and accelerate digital adoption. The announcement was made by Minister of ICT and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi on February 10 at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, according to local media.

“If the prices of phones, computers, and internet are reduced, people will be able to transact using their phones, study online, and access services more easily. That is what the governmet is working to achieve,” Baryomunsi said.

The initiative comes as access to internet-enabled devices remains one of the main barriers to digital adoption, according to the GSMA. The organization notes that despite the rise of sub-$100 smartphones across Africa in recent years, such devices remain unaffordable for many people. The GSMA recently launched a coalition with African telecom operators to develop 4G smartphones priced at $30 to $40.

In neighboring Kenya, a public-private partnership led to the launch of a low-cost smartphone assembly plant in October 2023. In January, authorities said five million devices had already been assembled in the country and sold at prices ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 Kenyan shillings ($46.5 to $62.2).

Despite these relatively low prices, an October 2025 GSMA report found that adoption of locally assembled smartphones remains modest. Consumers often perceive them as lower quality and less attractive than well-known international brands such as Infinix, Itel, Redmi, and Vivo, which also compete in the low-cost segment. According to the GSMA, these findings show that assembly initiatives must be accompanied by brand-building strategies and efforts to strengthen consumer trust to compete effectively.

Beyond smartphones and internet access devices, several other factors influence digital adoption and use. These include network coverage, the cost of internet access, digital skills, the availability of relevant content, quality of user experience, and security or social norms.

According to data from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the country had about 45.7 million active mobile subscriptions as of the end of September 2025, compared with only 17 million active internet subscriptions for a population of around 50 million. These figures should be interpreted with caution, as the regulator counts each connected SIM card as a subscriber, even though individuals may own multiple SIM cards. The same applies to smartphones, which numbered about 19 million.

Isaac K. Kassouwi