Internet Access and Infrastructure in East Africa

A recent piece in the Economist, revealed that Kenya is constructing fiber optic cables that will bring faster internet connections to East Africa. That's good news considering I've been struggling with posting anything from our office just outside Kampala. A faster internet connection, like the cell phones so common here now after their introduction in the early 2000s, will connect people, enable more businesses to develop, and deliver more information.

Relative to most Ugandans, I am extremely fortunate to have the amenities I do. Although we have brown-outs daily here in Kampala, the Buziga office does have has electricity; yet, only 12% of the 30 million Ugandans have electrical power. Most of those with power are in the capital city, but other locations like Masaka, Mbale, and Hoima have access to electricity, as well. Forty percent of the country's population have no access to an improved water source and all the water in Uganda must be treated. Fifty-seven percent have no access to improved sanitation.

The road conditions range widely. Two lane highways new Kampala are paved, with frequent potholes, but generally keep free of mud. Recently, Sipi, a small tourist area outside Mbale on Mount Elgon received a nice, new paved road (Sipi will be the subject of a future post). The Road from Kampala to Masaka is quite nice, but afterward, as it approaches Rwanda, it turns into a dusty, rutted mess. The consequences are evident. I saw three accidents on my nine hour ride to Kigali. An Educate! mentor's father was hospitalized recently after he flipped his car avoiding a girl crossing the road.

These posts have come late, because first, the internet connection is challenging and second, traveling for work takes up much of my time.