This study, commissioned by the National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U) with support from the World Bank under the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project (UDAP), assesses the readiness of the digital ecosystem within Uganda’s 13 Refugee Hosting Districts (RHDs), including Kampala. The purpose is to develop evidence-based recommendations for sustainable digital service delivery, including establishing 24 Uganda Digital Service Centers across these districts. Uganda is home to over 1.7 million refugees, primarily from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Burundi. Most reside in settlements with limited access to digital infrastructure. Uganda’s inclusive refugee policy aligns with its national digital transformation agenda, aiming to ensure broadband access and digital literacy for marginalized groups, including refugees. This policy framework advocates equal services for refugees and nationals, integrating
refugees into national development plans through enhanced digital services.
The main objective of the Study was to establish the current status of digital ecosystem in RHDs and the specific objectives are to:

1. Establish the state of Policy, Legal and Regulatory environment enabling enablers for digital service delivery in RHDs.
2. Establish Best Practices from selected countries on digital service delivery to refugees and host communities highlighting existing providers, services and markets for devices in RHDs, critical success factors and recommendations for best fit models of implementing digital connections and services in RHDs.
3. Establish Digital Service Access and Usage Patterns among refugees and host communities in terms of access to communication devices, device life cycle management practices and opportunities for investment.
4. Establish the extent of Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity RHDs in terms of coverage and quality of service(speed)
5. Establish Digital Literacy Skills gaps among refugees and host population, with a focus on women, youth, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and MSMEs, profile of providers and determine opportunities of sustainable digital literacy initiatives in RHDs;
6. Establish and define PWD Access Requirements for digital service centres demand for assistive technologies and characteristics of training content.
7. Determine the feasibility of Establishing and Operationalizing 24 Sustainable Digital Service Uganda centers in 13 RHD including architectural and structural designs, energy availability and their associated impact to the community and environment;