JUBA, South Sudan — Officials from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and South Sudan concluded a two-day meeting in Juba, South Sudan, Wednesday, advancing plans for a jointly owned and operated communication and broadcasting satellite.
The project, a key initiative under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIPs), aims to improve regional connectivity and broadcasting capabilities. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, addressed a directive from the 14th Heads of State NCIP Summit.
Officials discussed finalizing the project’s roadmap and securing funding for a feasibility study. The proposed satellite would address challenges related to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) access and connectivity in rural areas.
“Uganda prioritizes digital transformation as outlined in our National Development Plan,” Zawedde said. She reiterated Uganda’s commitment to coordinating and monitoring NCIPs directives.
Participants, including Dr. Lado Wani Kenyi, Undersecretary Telecommunication and Postal Services from South Sudan, reviewed a technical committee report on the satellite project. They noted existing regulatory frameworks in member states support the project.
The Northern Corridor, a transport corridor linking landlocked East African countries to Kenya’s Mombasa port, serves about 120 million people. The NCIPs, launched in 2013, encompass 14 clusters, including the ICT Infrastructure Development Cluster.
The ICT cluster, coordinated by Uganda, is tasked with implementing 21 directives from the Heads of State, including the satellite project. The Juba meeting focused on finalizing the project’s concept and modalities.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Ugandan delegation met with Uganda’s Ambassador to Juba, Gen. Ronnie Balya. Zawedde acknowledged the embassy’s collaboration with Ugandan ministries.
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