5G technology will help Uganda close the digital divide, says Minister Baryomunsi

The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has underscored the role of 5G technology in helping Uganda close the digital divide.

“5G technology means fast internet, fast connectivity and efficiency in the way we do our things and this adds a lot of value to our vision of ensuring that there is digital inclusion in our country,” Baryomunsi said.

The ICT Minister was on Monday evening speaking during the official launch of Airtel’s 5G network at Kampala Serena Hotel.

Airtel Uganda last month became the first telecom company in the country to introduce 5G also known as fifth generation technology as one of the ways to deliver faster internet speeds.

5G is said to deliver speeds 10 times faster than 4G network.

5G network can support up to one million connected devices per square kilometer compared to 4G which can only support up to 100,000 connected devices in a similar area.

Speaking on Monday evening, Minister Baryomunsi said 5G speaks well to the fourth industrial revolution where technology is driving the world’s transformation agenda.

“Therefore, you can’t run away from the journey of transformation facilitated by technology. When you look at the global dynamics, there is a huge digital divide between the conceptual north and South. Here in Africa, we need not only to move fast but to run in order to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of the digital agenda. “

“There are many cutting technology to help us on this agenda but we want to move away from reading about them in books but make them available and integral in whatever we do. We need to appreciate we won’t improve any service unless technology is part and parcel of that service provision.”

The ICT Minister applauded the private sector in helping driving the digital transformation agenda, pledging government’s support to them in all ways possible.

Airtel Uganda Managing Director Manoj Murali described 5G technology as a huge milestone for Uganda, noting that they have now switched on 50 5G sites within Kampala, promising to roll out the technology to other cities and towns around the country.

“This 5G technology will play a vital role in various sectors of the economy like education, health, manufacturing and commercial agriculture. Students can now share an anatomy class with better live screening and high definition.  This technology will also make it possible for manufacturers and farmers. 5G is also known as air fibre because we are able to deliver seamless fibre to home and delivers high speed internet for people to use,” Murali noted.

The acting UCC Executive Director, Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo said 5G brings with it a better quality of service in the country.

“The speeds that we have had will now increase and the people who have been finding hardships in downloading will now find it easy. As a country we can’t afford to be left behind and this is an opportunity for us to catch up,” Sewankambo said.

“Let us make sure we harness this technology to carry our country forward. There are many opportunities which come with 5G technology that we should all harness. Digital is for everybody and we can no longer afford to stay in the analog world.”