TECHNOLOGY : The National Information Technology Authority–Uganda (NITA-U), in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, has announced the upcoming launch of the National IP Peering Exchange (NIPX). The launch will take place during an awareness and stakeholder engagement workshop scheduled for Friday, 17th April, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The NIPX will be Uganda’s first neutral and open Internet Exchange Point (IXP). It is designed to enable Internet Service Providers (ISPs), content providers, cloud platforms, data centres, and government networks to exchange internet traffic locally and more efficiently. By keeping local traffic within the country, the platform is expected to significantly reduce latency, lower internet costs, enhance network resilience, and strengthen Uganda’s digital sovereignty.
The initiative represents a key milestone under the Digital Uganda Vision and Vision 2040. It addresses long-standing inefficiencies where even domestic internet traffic was routed through costly international pathways before returning to Uganda—driving up costs and reducing performance.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Godfrey Kabbyanga, described the development as a transformative step in Uganda’s digital journey.
“Today marks a bold and historic milestone in Uganda’s digital transformation. With the launch of the National IP Peering Exchange (NIPX), Uganda is taking a decisive step toward achieving true digital sovereignty,” he said.
He added that the Ministry has fulfilled its role as an enabler by working closely with NITA-U to deliver critical national infrastructure that positions Uganda as a competitive ICT hub within the East African region.
The Minister further urged Internet Service Providers, content providers, and digital businesses to actively connect to the NIPX, emphasizing the importance of public-private collaboration in building a faster, more affordable, secure, and resilient internet ecosystem for all Ugandans.
His remarks underscored the platform’s potential to attract investment, stimulate innovation, and create new economic opportunities—particularly for youth and digital entrepreneurs.
Richard Obita, Executive Director of NITA-U, provided technical insights into the platform’s design and functionality.
“The NIPX has been deliberately structured under neutral ownership. It is neither owned nor controlled by the government, ensuring that no single entity holds a controlling interest. This creates a level playing field for all participants,” he explained.
He added, “Instead of routing local traffic through expensive international carriers, networks can now interconnect directly within Uganda. This delivers immediate benefits, including significantly lower latency for faster user experiences, reduced operational costs by minimizing reliance on international bandwidth, and improved reliability even during international link disruptions.”
“For the ordinary Ugandan, this translates into smoother video calls, faster access to e-government services, improved online learning, and, ultimately, more affordable data packages,” Obita noted.
Godfrey Sserwamukoko, Chairman of the Internet Service Providers Association of Uganda (ISPAU), welcomed the initiative on behalf of the private sector.
“On behalf of the internet service industry, we commend the Ministry of ICT and NITA-U for this initiative. The NIPX provides a neutral and open platform with the potential to optimise local traffic exchange and deliver meaningful cost efficiencies,” he said.
“We look forward to active collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure maximum participation and to realise the full benefits of faster and more affordable internet services for businesses and citizens across Uganda,” he added.
The NIPX will operate based on globally recognised best practices, including open peering, non-discriminatory access, and shared infrastructure—ensuring transparency, fairness, and broad participation across the digital ecosystem.
