The minister for ICT and National Guidance Chris Bary’omunsi, has commended Airtel Uganda’s for pioneering the 5G revolution in Uganda, calling it a catalyst for digital transformation. To him this is the first step towards cementing Uganda’s position in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Airtel Uganda’s pioneering of 5G technology has become a cornerstone of the nation’s digital transformation journey,” he stated.
The Minister, who was speaking during the formal welcome of Airtel Uganda’s new Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu, emphasizing the monumental impact 5G holds for Uganda’s socio-economic growth.
“The deployment of 5G is not just about faster internet; it’s about creating a robust foundation for innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness,” Bary’omunsi, noted adding that Airtel’s introduction of 5G is a groundbreaking milestone that places Uganda among the trailblazers in Africa.
He further mentioned that in the remote areas, giving an example of Kanungu, where he comes from, 5G has the potential to redefine connectivity. “Imagine small-scale farmers leveraging IoT-enabled sensors to optimize agricultural yields or students in remote schools accessing virtual labs and global resources through seamless online platforms.”
While acknowledging the existing infrastructure and digital literacy challenges, the Minister emphasized the importance of transforming these hurdles into opportunities. He urged Airtel Uganda to collaborate with the government and private stakeholders to accelerate the rollout of 5G infrastructure, especially in underserved regions.
According to Bary’omunsi, the public-private partnerships will maximize the potential of 5G. With Airtel Uganda leveraging its global expertise, the government remains steadfast in creating a conducive environment for such innovations.
The Minister also challenged Airtel Uganda to continuously engage with stakeholders, listen to customer feedback, and innovate around the pressing needs of Ugandans. “It’s about more than technology; it’s about the transformative impact it delivers,” he asserted.
Soumendra Sahu, the newly appointed Managing Director, shared a vision of how 5G could reshape Uganda’s socio-economic landscape. In Healthcare, “Rural clinics connected via 5G could facilitate telemedicine consultations with specialists in urban centers, reducing patient wait times and improving outcomes,” he stated.
In Education, he envisions students in remote areas accessing real-time virtual classrooms and interactive e-learning resources, leveling the playing field for education. For Agriculture, Sahu mentions that farmers could adopt smart farming solutions, such as drones and IoT devices, to monitor crops, predict weather patterns, and optimize water usage.
According to the new managing director 5G would enable small businesses access global markets through high-speed connectivity, driving e-commerce and boosting exports, hence enhancing entrepreneurship in the country.
“Our commitment to 5G goes beyond speed and innovation,” Sahu said. “It’s about creating solutions that address real-world challenges, empowering individuals, and transforming communities.”
As Uganda embarks on this new digital frontier, the collaboration between Airtel Uganda and the government promises to unlock unprecedented opportunities for individuals and businesses alike. With 5G as a transformative catalyst, Uganda is poised to become a regional leader in digital innovation, economic development, and inclusive growth.
Reframe the Angle, add a New Narrative Lens, emphasize Solutions, Integrate Hypothetical Elements context. Focusing on advise to listen to costumers.