Uganda to Launch First National IP Peering Exchange to Boost Local Internet Performance

Ahimbisibwe

Kampala, Uganda – The National Information Technology Authority–Uganda (NITA-U), in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, has announced the imminent launch of the National IP Peering Exchange (NIPX), the country’s first neutral and open Internet Exchange Point (IXP). The launch will take place during an awareness and engagement workshop on Friday, 17 April 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

The NIPX is designed to enable Internet Service Providers (ISPs), content providers, cloud platforms, data centres, and government networks to exchange internet traffic locally within Uganda. By keeping domestic traffic inside the country, the platform is expected to reduce latency, cut the cost of internet services, improve network resilience, and strengthen Uganda’s digital sovereignty.

For years, much of Uganda’s local internet traffic has been routed through international links before returning to the country, a process that increased costs and degraded performance. The NIPX directly addresses this inefficiency and is a flagship deliverable under the Digital Uganda Strategy and Vision 2040.

Speaking at the announcement, Hon. Godfrey Kabbyanga, Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, described the launch as a transformative step.

“Today marks a bold and historic milestone in Uganda’s digital journey. With the launch of the National IP Peering Exchange (NIPX), Uganda is taking a decisive step toward achieving true digital sovereignty,” he said. He noted that the Ministry had played its enabling role by working closely with NITA-U to deliver this critical national infrastructure, which he believes will help position Uganda as a competitive ICT hub in the East African region.

Hon. Kabbyanga called on ISPs, content providers, and digital businesses to actively peer at the NIPX, emphasising that broad participation is essential to delivering a faster, more secure, and more affordable internet for all Ugandans. He stressed that the platform would help attract investment, spur innovation, and open up new economic opportunities, especially for youth and digital entrepreneurs.

Providing technical insight, NITA-U Executive Director Richard Obita highlighted the NIPX’s neutral design.

“The NIPX has been deliberately designed under neutral ownership where it is neither owned nor controlled by the government hence ensuring that no single entity holds controlling interest. This creates a genuine level playing field for all participants,” he explained.

Obita added that by interconnecting directly within Uganda rather than relying on expensive international carriers, networks can immediately benefit from lower latency, reduced operational costs, and improved reliability during international link disruptions. “For the ordinary Ugandan, this means smoother video calls, faster access to e-government services, improved online learning, and eventually more affordable data packages,” he said.

The private sector has also welcomed the initiative. Godfrey Sserwamukoko, Chairman of the Internet Service Providers Association of Uganda (ISPAU), praised the NIPX as a timely and strategic development.

“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 that has the potential to optimise local traffic exchange and bring meaningful cost efficiencies. 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,” Sserwamukoko said.

The NIPX will operate under globally recognised best practices, including open peering, non-discriminatory access, and shared governance—principles intended to build trust across the ecosystem and encourage widespread adoption.