Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has called for key internet infrastructure to be owned and controlled by the government, arguing that private ownership often leads to monopolies and high costs for citizens.
Speaking during a press briefing, Museveni said, “The internet should not be owned by private people because when the internet is owned by business people, especially if they monopolise it, they are after money. That's why the backbone should be owned by the government.”
Museveni linked his argument to technological evolution, recalling his experiences during Uganda’s liberation struggle to illustrate how digital tools have transformed operations.
“It is true that the internet and electronics have helped us to do things much faster because when we were fighting in the early days, I had to use my eyes to estimate how far the enemy was so that I could adjust my gun sight to shoot properly. These days, with a laser, it tells me exactly where the target is. I don’t have to calculate,” he said.
Museveni: "The internet should be owned by the government, not private people. I will check with Baryomunsi to see what is the problem." pic.twitter.com/MOKTHkYuYK
— UBC UGANDA (@ubctvuganda) December 3, 2025
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Museveni said government control of digital infrastructure is essential to keep transmission costs low.
In 2024, his administration launched Phase V of the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI), adding 5,845 kilometres of fibre to the existing 4,387 kilometres.
The project aims to connect all administrative units and facilitate access to services like education, healthcare, e-services, and business opportunities.
While the plan is framed as a public-interest measure, critics warn that centralising control over the internet could threaten digital freedom.
Uganda has previously restricted access to social media and the internet, particularly ahead of elections.
With the country preparing for general elections in January 2026, a section of observers and civil society actors views Museveni’s remarks as potentially a way to regulate or suppress dissent.
On social media, netizens reacted to the suggestion with equal concern.
"An authoritarian mindset. Without any empirical evidence of facts, it's just some sort of fantasy or being ignorant, or the worst, to maintain the oppressive status quo," wrote one.
"If governments were owned so that they empower all, it would be okay, but to own to avoid being criticised is disempowering and undermining any scientist who created connectivity," another said.