February 4, 20261 sources

Internet Access Bridges Uganda's Digital Divide in Refugee Camps

The Story

In a viewpoint article titled "How Internet access is bridging Uganda’s digital divide," the author recounts a personal interaction from within Nakivale refugee camp. The author describes stopping by a stand selling rolex, which is chapatti laced with eggs and tomatoes. At the stand, the author spoke with some young gentlemen who were deeply engrossed in a video while sharing a smartphone. The author asked these individuals if they knew about an internet hotspot recently set up in the camp. The article, published by The Observer, presents this anecdote as part of its commentary.

Perspective

The article is explicitly a viewpoint piece. The author frames the account with the phrase, "I am reminded of an interaction I had within Nakivale refugee camp." This establishes the narrative as the author's personal recollection. The author uses this anecdote to support a broader discussion suggested by the article's title regarding internet access and the digital divide.

Why This Matters

The anecdote illustrates a scenario of digital engagement, with individuals in a refugee setting using a shared smartphone to watch videos. The author uses this scene to introduce a question about awareness of local internet infrastructure, connecting it to the larger theme of digital access challenges in Uganda.

What's Next

The provided excerpt from the source article does not mention any specific future events, plans, or next steps.

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Sources

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The ObserverOppositionFebruary 4, 2026
How Internet access is bridging Uganda’s digital divide