On May 11, 2019, Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni officially launched the fourth phase of the national backbone’s construction in Koboko.

The infrastructure will link Pakwach, Nebbi, Arua, Yumbe, Koboko, Adjumani, Katakwi, Oraba, Vurra and Mpondwe districts.

The infrastructure will greatly improve residents’ access to quality telecom services, boost competitiveness and accuracy in the region by establishing new connections with neighbouring countries such as South Sudan and the eastern part of DR Congo.

The national backbone project is funded by the World Bank Group and realised by Chinese tech group Huawei. Antony Thompson, country manager for the World Bank Group in Uganda, explains that the group’s support in the framework of that project is because of the backbone’s social impact.  It will help reduce internet crisis in Uganda and offer new possibilities to residents.

Frank Tumwebaze, the Ugandan minister of IT and communications, indicates that apart from improving connectivity, the national backbone will also create jobs.