Uganda's Internet Connectivity: Cable Reliance and Regional Risks

Internet Connectivity in Uganda: Landing Points and Cables

Uganda has limited submarine cable infrastructure, making its connectivity relatively fragile. The country hosts two submarine cable landing points, located in the cities of Mpeefu and Nkusi. These points are serviced by two cables: Lake Albert 1 (51 km, operational since 2019) and Lake Albert 2 (44 km, operational since 2020). Both cables traverse Lake Albert, connecting Uganda to the international network. However, their short length and limited number of landing points make the country reliant on terrestrial infrastructure, reflected in a low submarine cable network resilience index (36 out of 100).

Internet Regulation and Control

Uganda is known for its strict approach to internet regulation, including censorship and traffic monitoring. However, GeoCables does not conduct direct measurements of DNS censorship in the country, as Uganda lacks observation points. Nevertheless, it is known that the Ugandan government actively enforces internet shutdowns, particularly during elections or mass protests, restricting access to social media and other online platforms. This creates additional challenges for users, given the existing dependence on terrestrial communication channels.

Conflict and Its Impact on Connectivity

Recent developments, such as Uganda beginning to withdraw its troops from Somalia after a 20-year presence, have not yet had a direct impact on the country's internet connectivity. However, historically, conflicts in the East African region, including internal protests, have led to disruptions in terrestrial infrastructure, which is especially critical for a country with a limited number of submarine cables.

Chokepoints and Risks for Uganda

The main risk for Uganda is its heavy reliance on two submarine cables that pass through Lake Albert. In the event of damage or disconnection, the country could become almost completely isolated from international internet traffic, as its terrestrial infrastructure does not provide sufficient resilience. Neighboring countries such as Kenya and Tanzania serve as transit hubs, providing access to larger submarine cable systems like SEACOM and EASSy. However, any disruptions in connectivity with these countries could exacerbate the issue.

GeoCables Monitoring

GeoCables monitors the operation of the Lake Albert 1 and Lake Albert 2 submarine cables, as well as their landing points in Mpeefu and Nkusi. Data on Uganda's connectivity indicates that the country is in a high-risk zone due to limited infrastructure and heavy reliance on terrestrial routes. Amid growing challenges related to political instability and internet restrictions, monitoring these cables becomes especially important for assessing network resilience and preventing potential disruptions.