Uganda Expands Digital Access: UCC Donates Tablets to Underserved Communities

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) under the supervision from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance on Thursday 6th February 2025, donated tablets under Universal Service Access Fund (USAF)to the residents of Akuli B village in Apac Sub-county.

The tablets distributed were the Government’s pilot project aimed at bridging the connectivity and access to information gap in underserved communities. The preloaded data tablets were given together with solar panels to facilitate charging.

Sax Agaba, the Information Technology Officer at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, said the tablets are part of government’s initiative to empower households in the digital era by 2024 starting with this pilot project to distribute mobile Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices to selected communities across the country most especially to the low-income areas.

Sax added that the main goal of giving these digital tools is to enhance connectivity and improve access to information, thereby addressing the digital divide between rural and urban communities.

He said this tablets can be used in a number of programmes like Agriculture, education, Parish Development Model, among other programmes.

The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Muboki Paul, informed the locals that they must appreciate being chosen among the 290 villages/celss the District have to implement this project. The selection was not base on politics but pilot bring this Community to the lime light, strategic location and its eligibility according to the project’s guidelines. The village’s proximity to the Apac Municipal border made it a key area for this initiative.

Muboki escalate the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and UCC for the initiative, highlighting that the tablets would be of great help to the well-being of the beneficiaries and enhance service delivery. He noted that many government programmes are now implemented digitally, citing the example of the Parish Development Model, where beneficiaries receive funds through a digital platform.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to use the tablets as intended and to serve as role models for the rest of the District. He also cautioned them against losing or selling these devices since Government has injected a lot of money to acquire them.

Emmanuel Matsiko, the team leader UCC delegates from Gulu Regional Office, noted that the tablets are brought to change lives of the people of Akuli B. The devices has got a lot of functions which if it’s put into good use, will bring wealth and development to the area.

The Deputy RDC, Joan Apio urged community to guard the devices very well and advised them to report to the authorities in case of any lose. The devises were brought for the members who registered and this is a sign that you should involve yourself in all Government programmes.