Subsea cable damage causes widespread internet outage in Uganda, neighboring countries

KAMPALA – Ugandan internet users are experiencing slow and intermittent internet connectivity due to damage to undersea fibre-optic cables. The issue, which began on Sunday, has affected approximately 80 million users in East Africa, with Uganda being one of the hardest hit.

Airtel Uganda has confirmed that it is aware of the “intermittent internet service” and is working to resolve the issue. “We are doing everything possible to restore full connectivity,” said a spokesperson for the company.

The damage to the East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) has resulted in significantly reduced internet speeds, making it difficult for users to access online services. EASSy is a 10,000km submarine fibre-optic cable system that connects Africa to the rest of the world.

Uganda has experienced internet outages in the past, including a notable shutdown during the 2021 presidential elections that lasted for 692 hours and caused a significant economic loss of $109.7 million.

Neighboring countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar, are also experiencing similar connectivity issues. In Kenya, Safaricom has reported slow internet speeds, while Tanzania’s internet traffic has fallen to 30% of expected levels.

The outage has also affected West African countries, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana, and Burkina Faso, which rely on the same cable system.

Industry experts have emphasized the need for redundant connectivity infrastructure to minimize the impact of such outages. “This incident highlights the importance of investing in robust and redundant connectivity infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted internet services,” said David Birungi, an industry player.

Service providers are working to restore full connectivity, and users are advised to be patient as the issue is resolved. The Ugandan government has also been urged to prioritize investment in digital infrastructure to reduce the country’s reliance on fragile undersea cables.

In the meantime, internet users across the region are bearing the brunt of the outage, with many struggling to access essential online services. “This is a huge inconvenience, and we hope that the issue is resolved soon,” said Kampala resident and small business owner, Jane Nambatya.