A Rural Community Broadband Network has been installed at Oyam Daily Market in Uganda, providing free internet access to market vendors. The network is part of a digital inclusion project launched in May 2025 by Women of Uganda Network-WOUGNET, in partnership with netLabs!UG and the Internet Society Foundation. The project aims to pilot a rural broadband connectivity model in Northern Uganda, improving access to affordable internet in areas that have historically faced connectivity challenges.
The Rural Community Broadband Network was established to benefit women-led farmer groups, schools, health centres, and small businesses. More than 60 people in Oyam District have received digital literacy training from WOUGNET in preparation for the operationalisation of the broadband network. The training has equipped them with the skills needed to effectively utilise the internet and access online services.
Market vendors have expressed excitement about the free internet, saying it is helping them access educational resources, business opportunities, and other vital online services. Mirriam Atoo, Vice Chairperson of the Market Vendors Association, said the internet has eliminated the need for vendors to buy mobile data bundles before going online. This has significantly reduced their expenses and increased their ability to access information.
Joan Okello, a food vendor at Oyam Daily Market, said the new connectivity is bridging gaps in information and trade. She previously spent about 5,000 shillings every day on mobile data to access the internet, an expense she no longer has to incur at the market. The free internet has enabled her to access online services and connect with customers more easily.
WOUGNET recently conducted inspections of the Rural Community Broadband Network sites in Oyam to assess their functionality, utilisation, security, and sustainability. Sandra Aceng, Executive Director of WOUGNET, said the assessment found that the equipment had been properly installed and was operational, while communities were actively using the service.
The next phase of the project will focus on measuring its impact, including the number of teachers and learners using the internet and the extent to which farmers are accessing market information to improve their farming practices. The project is expected to expand digital access beyond individual users to schools, health facilities, farmer groups, and small businesses, with the aim of using connectivity to improve livelihoods and access to essential services.
Denis Anyeki, LCIII Chairperson of Oyam Town Council, praised WOUGNET for the initiative, saying the internet will help market vendors interact digitally with traders and customers outside Oyam. The Rural Community Broadband Network is expected to play a wider role in opening up the local economy by reducing the cost of internet access and connecting communities in Oyam to information, markets, and services beyond the district.
Key points
- The Rural Community Broadband Network was established under a project launched in May 2025 by Women of Uganda Network-WOUGNET.
- More than 60 people in Oyam District have received digital literacy training from WOUGNET.
- The free internet has eliminated the need for vendors to buy mobile data bundles before going online.
