The Access and Usage Gap Analysis Study is a flagship research initiative commissioned by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and implemented by Eight Tech Consults Ltd (www.8technologies.net), with the aim of accelerating digital inclusion through evidence-based policy and investment decisions under the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).
This study is one of the strategic undertakings to inform UCC’s mandate in bridging the digital divide, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. It builds on Uganda’s national digital transformation efforts and aligns with the broader goals of the Digital Uganda Vision and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
The overall objective of the study was to assess the extent of universal access and usage gaps in telephony and broadband services across Uganda, and provide strategic insights for targeted interventions.
The specific objectives included:
- Evaluate the effectiveness of existing policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks in promoting universal access.
- Determine the level of access and usage of basic communication services across different demographics.
- Identify underserved and unserved populations, especially among marginalized groups such as PWDs and refugees.
- Benchmark lessons from high-performing countries to inform Uganda’s policy reforms.
- Document impact stories and case studies from UCUSAF-supported beneficiaries
Tasks completed
- Developed a participatory, mixed-method research design grounded in Diagnostic Appreciative Inquiry.
- Conducted nationwide surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in all sub-regions.
- Digitized data collection tools using Kobo Toolbox for real-time data capture.
- Collected geospatial data and analyzed infrastructure gaps using ArcGIS and QGIS tools.
- Reviewed over 50 policy documents and international frameworks.
- Benchmarked ICT inclusion models from Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius, Estonia, and South Korea.
- Produced 21 documented beneficiary case studies with multimedia stories.
- Held stakeholder validation sessions and synthesized findings into a national policy report
Output
- The project delivered six core output areas:
- A national Access and Usage Gap Report detailing telephony and broadband coverage, affordability, and device ownership trends.
- Policy, Legal, and Regulatory Review highlighting challenges and opportunities to strengthen digital inclusion frameworks.
- Spatio-visual Infrastructure Maps showing regional disparities in ICT access.
- Beneficiary Case Study Compendium capturing the impact of UCUSAF interventions.
- Benchmarking Brief with actionable insights from five international ICT frameworks.
Evidence-based Recommendations to inform UCUSAF strategy and government programming under NDP IV.