Godfrey Kabbyanga
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Uganda is set to take a major step in strengthening its digital infrastructure with the launch of the National IP Peering Exchange (NIPX), the country’s first neutral and open internet exchange platform.
The initiative, led by the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, will officially be unveiled during an awareness and stakeholder engagement workshop scheduled for April 17 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The NIPX will allow internet service providers, cloud companies, content platforms, data centres, and government institutions to exchange internet traffic directly within Uganda. This means local online traffic will no longer need to pass through international routes before reaching users in the country.
Officials say the move will help reduce internet delays, lower operational costs for providers, improve service reliability, and ultimately make internet access more affordable for ordinary Ugandans.
Speaking on the milestone, ICT State Minister Godfrey Kabbyanga said the platform marks a historic moment in Uganda’s digital transformation journey.
“This is a bold step toward true digital sovereignty and a stronger ICT future for Uganda.”
He noted that the infrastructure will improve Uganda’s competitiveness as a regional technology hub while opening new doors for innovation, investment, and youth-led digital businesses.
NITA-U Executive Director Richard Obita explained that the exchange has been established under a neutral governance model to guarantee fairness and open access for all players.
“No single institution controls the platform, which creates a level playing field for every participant.”
According to Obita, local traffic exchange will immediately improve internet performance through faster response times, reduced dependence on international bandwidth, and better resilience in case global links fail.
For internet users, this is expected to translate into smoother video calls, quicker access to online government services, better e-learning experiences, and lower data costs over time.
The private sector has also welcomed the development, with industry leaders describing it as a timely solution that will improve efficiency and strengthen Uganda’s growing digital economy.
The launch is part of the broader Digital Uganda Strategy and Vision 2040, which aims to position Uganda as a secure, innovative, and digitally connected nation.
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