Sangala Communication Strategies

General
1

We are developing a network of weather stations for the Bududa district of Uganda. We are currently planning to use LoRa (long-range low-power) technology to transmit information from the weather stations to a central hub. The LoRa transceivers support two-way communications, so the network could also be used to transmit information back to the weather station sites. See the “Weather Station” strand for more information about these plans and initial pilot implementation and testing:

John Wanda suggests alternatives to use of LoRa technology for transmission of weather data.

From: John Wanda john@reachforuganda.org
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 11:31 PM

I wanted to share some current channels that can be considered alternatives. According to the Uganda 2024 National Census, Bududa has 75,751 households. These households receive vital information mostly in these manners:

- Radio - 55% (41,688)

- Word of mouth - 23% (17,688)

- Phones - 14% (10,672)

If for instance, we want to communicate with parents, we tell students who take messages to their parents, or make announcements on community radios. We also speak at public events (churches, funerals, weddings, etc) when we need to communicate messages.

Considering the low level of connectivity in Bududa, electronic information, especially anything needing transmission lines, would be difficult to transmit. But we can up the usage of text messages as many people who receive such messages can share with others who don’t have.

John Wanda

Co-Founder, Director and Chief Uganda Liaison
REACH for Uganda

As an additional consideration, Joyce Wanda recommends that technologies that require permission or licensing from the government of Uganda be avoided.

From: Joyce Wanda joyce@reachforuganda.org
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 9:50 AM

I know the Uganda government is curious about anything involving technology, data collection and its use. I hope this would not involve us getting permission from the government of Uganda to implement the use of equipment.

Joyce

These issues are explored in the posts in this strand that follow.

2

John’s query about exploration of a range of technologies for transmission of weather data on the data network raises an important question. It is possible to explore multiple communication technologies and strategies in parallel. The posts that follow explore possible directions and provide a basis for on-going conversations about this topic.

3

Radio

Bududa has 75,751 households. Over half of these households (55 %) receive information via radio.

The widespread access to radio makes this an attractive option for communications. In the U.S., any non-profit entity can operate a low-power radio station without a license. These stations are limited to a maximum of 100 watts effective radiated power (ERP). Consequently, it is common for high schools and colleges in the U.S. to operate low power radio stations run by students. This would be an attractive option for Hawthorn-Scribner High School since it would meet a community need and give students practical experience.

However, Uganda requires a license for virtually all radio transmissions, including low-power stations.

The Legal Baseline

Under the Uganda Communications Act 2013, a person shall not, without a licence issued by the Commission, establish or use any radio station or provide radio communication services, or manufacture, possess, install, connect, or operate any radio communications apparatus. This is a broad prohibition with very few exceptions.

FM Broadcasting Specifically

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is mandated under Section 5 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013 to monitor, inspect, licence, supervise, control, and regulate communication services, which includes FM radio broadcasting services. Both commercial and non-commercial FM stations require a broadcast licence plus a Radio Frequency Spectrum Authorisation (RFSA).

Consequently, given Joyce’s recommendation to avoid technologies that require a government license, this option is less appealing in Uganda than in the U.S. However, if the high school could partner with an existing community-based radio station that already has a license, this might be a worthwhile direction.

4

Cell Phone

Bududa has 75,751 households. Approximately 14% of these households (10,672) receive information via cell phone.

Possible constraints are related to data rates, which can be high for cell service in Uganda, and coverage.

Uganda data costs

The ITU calculates a monthly mobile phone budget of about $6.80 for Uganda in 2025 — covering 140 minutes, 20 texts, and 5 GB of data. Crucially, that $6.80 represents about 8% of average per-capita income — meaning data is expensive relative to local wages. Airtel’s default pay-as-you-go data rate is UGX 0.75 per KB works out to roughly $200 per GB at current exchange rates if buying data by the kilobyte without a bundle. Bundle pricing is far better but still costly relative to incomes.

Bududa coverage.

Coverage in Bududa is constrained by the mountainous terrain. , About 74% of Uganda’s population lives in rural areas — well above the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 54% — making it particularly challenging for carriers to cover all parts of the country. Consequently, Bududa currently has gaps in its coverage.

However, SMS is a two-way transmission technology so it could potentially be used to transmit data from weather stations in regions where coverage is available and also send predictive weather information back to weather station sites.

5

LoRa (long range low power) Technology

The regulatory status of LoRa/sub-GHz unlicensed operation in Uganda is as follows:

The 868 MHz Band Is License-Exempt for LoRa/IoT

The UCC has designated the 863–870 MHz band as license-exempt for ISM use, explicitly covering IoT-based technologies and services including smart systems — and the document specifically names LoRa (Long Range) as a recognized technology in this band. Ucc

Key Technical Constraints

Operations in this band must stay within the 863–870 MHz spectrum block. The general power limit is 25 mW ERP (about 14 dBm), with duty cycle restrictions of ≤0.1% for most sub-bands, or up to 1% in the 865–868 MHz range with Listen Before Talk (LBT). Ucc Standard LoRaWAN gateways and end nodes typically comply with these parameters.

Important Conditions

License-exempt does not mean entirely unregulated. Three requirements still apply: (1) gateways or base stations must be registered with UCC; (2) all equipment must receive UCC type approval in accordance with type approval regulations; and (3) if the band is used to provide communications services to the public, an operating license from UCC is still required. Ucc

Bottom Line for WeatherScope

The WeatherScope sensor network — where LoRa end nodes transmit weather data to local gateways — fits squarely within the license-exempt ISM framework, provided that use:

  1. Keeps transmit power at or below 25 mW ERP

  2. Stays within the 863–870 MHz band (standard for LoRaWAN in Region 1/Africa)

  3. Registers any gateways with UCC

  4. Use type-approved equipment (standard commercial LoRa hardware from Semtech-based modules is generally compliant)

This is essentially the same regulatory model as Europe’s LoRa framework, which makes sense since Uganda follows ITU Region 1 allocations.

An important consideration is operations cost. In contrast to other technologies such as WiFi or Cell service, there is no transmission cost or associated data rates once the weather stations with LoRa transceivers and associated relays are established. Since Rich Nguyen has already successfully piloted use of LoRa network technology through FloodWatch in Vietnam, as a practical matter we have access to far more access to technical expertise using this technology than alternative communication technologies with which we have no experience.

6

Ham Radio

Ham radio is worth considering because of the following strengths:

Strengths of Ham Radio

  • Long-range capability without cell infrastructure

  • Can carry both voice (broadcasts to farmers) and digital data (weather telemetry via protocols like APRS or Winlink)

  • Very low operating cost once equipment is in place

  • Works well in mountainous terrain where cell signals struggle

However, a barrier to use of ham radio is there is no path to acquisition of a ham radio license in Uganda.

Uganda has no domestic ham licensing path

There is no process under Uganda law for a Ugandan resident to get an amateur radio license. One must be licensed in another country and then submit an application using that license as the path to one in Uganda. Ham Radio World

This is a real obstacle for training local Bududa students or community members as ham operators — they can’t simply study and take a test in Uganda the way they could in the U.S.

Lack of a path to acquiring a ham radio license in Uganda is unfortunate because it has potential uses that are applicable.

Digital ham radio for data For the sensor-to-hub data transmission use case specifically, protocols like Winlink (email over radio) or APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) are used globally for exactly this kind of low-bandwidth data relay — weather stations included.

One possible workaround: Under U.S. law, someone in Uganda can test over the internet by volunteer examiners. It’s a convoluted process but has been done multiple times Ham Radio World — essentially, a Ugandan resident takes the U.S. FCC exam remotely, gets a U.S. license, and then applies to UCC using that as the basis for a Ugandan license.

There is an annual licensing fee of $63 (U.S. dollars) for a U.S. license, which may also make this strategy less practical.

7

Prompt to AI Agent: “What would be involved in created a text-based Internet system in eastern Uganda. Keep in mind that most homes and schools in this region do not have electricity. Consequently the system would need to be solar power. Therefore low power consumption is a higher priority than data rates and bandwidth.”

8

AI Response

Community Communications Strategy:

A Solar-Powered, License-Exempt Text Network for the Bududa District

This post proposes a community communications network for the Bududa District of eastern Uganda, designed to operate under three binding constraints: (1) most homes and schools in the region lack grid electricity; (2) the Uganda government currently prohibits Starlink and similar satellite internet services; and (3) project partners seek to minimize dependence on government licensing or authorization for routine operation.

The proposed architecture uses the Hawthorne-Scribner High School (HSHS), operated by REACH for Uganda, as the single licensed internet gateway for the entire network. All other nodes communicate via LoRa (Long Range) radio operating in Uganda’s license-exempt 863–870 MHz ISM band, powered by small solar panels with battery storage. The same physical infrastructure simultaneously supports three purposes: weather and agricultural sensor data (FarmNet/WeatherScope), community text messaging between villages, and access to locally-cached educational content.

Background and Context

The Regulatory Landscape. Two regulatory realities define the design space. First, Starlink is fully blocked in Uganda: as of January 1, 2026, Starlink implemented a service restriction tool at the direction of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), rendering all terminals inactive, with military clearance now required for any equipment imports. Second, FM broadcasting and most radio transmissions require UCC licenses under the Communications Act 2013 — however, the 863–870 MHz ISM band is explicitly license-exempt for IoT and short-range device use.

The ISM Band Exemption. The UCC’s 2019 Technical Parameters establish that this spectrum may be used license-free for LoRa/IoT applications provided that: transmit power does not exceed 25 mW ERP; duty cycle restrictions are observed (≤0.1% for most sub-bands, up to 1% in the 865–868 MHz range with Listen Before Talk); gateways are registered with the UCC; and equipment holds UCC type approval. Standard commercial LoRa hardware is generally compliant. This framework is essentially identical to the European LoRa ISM band regime, reflecting Uganda’s ITU Region 1 alignment.

Network Architecture

Core Concept: HSHS as the Internet Gateway. The design is a hub-and-spoke topology with HSHS at the center. No village node requires an independent internet connection or a licensed radio transmitter. All external communication flows through HSHS’s existing institutional connection, meaning the network inherits that license rather than requiring new authorizations. If HSHS loses internet, the local mesh continues functioning for intra-community messaging and cached content.

[Village Node A] ──LoRa──┐
[Village Node B] ──LoRa──┼──► [HSHS Gateway] ──► Internet
[Village Node C] ──LoRa──┘         ├──► Campus WiFi
                                    └──► Kiwix content server

Layer 1 — LoRa Mesh Backbone. LoRa radio in the 863–870 MHz ISM band connects villages to HSHS via solar-powered relay nodes at village schools and elevated community points (10–16 km range per hop; 3–5 nodes estimated for Bududa district; 0.1–0.3 W average draw per node). The same nodes that carry FarmNet weather sensor data also carry community messages.

Layer 2 — Store-and-Forward Messaging. Given LoRa’s low data rate (0.3–50 kbps), the application layer uses store-and-forward messaging — the same paradigm as early internet email. A villager composes a message on a shared tablet or smartphone connected via Bluetooth to a local Meshtastic node; it hops via LoRa relays to HSHS and exits as standard email or SMS. Replies follow the reverse path. Latency of minutes to hours is appropriate for the key use cases: agricultural market prices, health referrals, FarmNet weather alerts, family communication, and NGO coordination.

Layer 3 — Local Content Server. The HSHS hub hosts a Kiwix server providing offline access to Wikipedia, agricultural extension materials, health information, and curriculum content. A student at a village school sends a short LoRa request for an article and receives the compressed text within minutes. This model has been validated by the Afripedia Project (Kiwix deployments in 11 African countries) and the Tanzania Development Trust (Kiwix on Raspberry Pi in off-grid schools).

Layer 4 — User Access Devices. Each village node pairs with a shared community tablet or laptop running a simple text-based interface. Personal smartphones connect to Meshtastic nodes via Bluetooth at no data cost. Dedicated Meshtastic handheld nodes are available under $40; solar-ready outdoor router nodes start at approximately $70.

The HSHS Hub

The HSHS gateway runs the following open-source software stack on a Raspberry Pi 4 or comparable device (5–10 W total):

Service Software Function
Network Server ChirpStack Manages all LoRaWAN traffic from mesh
Content Server Kiwix Offline Wikipedia, ag guides, health content
Message Broker MQTT Routes messages between LoRa and internet
Email Gateway Custom bridge Translates LoRa messages to/from email
Campus WiFi Standard AP Serves HSHS students and staff
SMS Bridge (optional) GSM modem Connects to MTN/Airtel for basic phones

Regulatory Profile

Component Status Notes
LoRa relay nodes :white_check_mark: License-exempt Register gateways with UCC; no spectrum license
HSHS internet connection :white_check_mark: Already licensed Inherits existing institutional authorization
Meshtastic on end devices :white_check_mark: License-exempt Personal device use; no authorization needed
Kiwix content server :white_check_mark: No license required Software only; no radio component
Campus Wi-Fi at HSHS :white_check_mark: Standard institutional No additional spectrum license
SMS bridge (optional) :white_check_mark: Via licensed carrier Uses MTN/Airtel; no new license

Power Budget

All village-level components run from a 10–20 W solar panel with LiFePO4 battery (preferred over standard lithium-ion for equatorial heat tolerance and longer cycle life).

Component Typical Consumption
Raspberry Pi Zero 2W (village node server) 0.5–1 W
LoRa gateway/relay node (solar, average) 0.1–0.3 W
Meshtastic router/repeater node 0.05–0.2 W
HSHS hub server (RPi 4 or mini-PC) 5–10 W
Campus Wi-Fi access point at HSHS 5–10 W

Integration with WeatherScope and FarmNet

This communications network is not a separate project from WeatherScope and FarmNet — it is the same infrastructure viewed from a community services perspective. Each solar-powered village node simultaneously serves as: (1) a FarmNet weather/sensor data relay; (2) a community text messaging hub via Meshtastic/LoRa; and (3) a Kiwix educational content access point. Shared infrastructure means shared capital and maintenance costs, and a much stronger case for NSF, NASA Education, and the Kellogg Foundation — all of which favor proposals demonstrating community-wide impact beyond a single application. The resulting narrative: one low-cost solar mesh network delivers weather intelligence to farmers, connectivity to health workers and families, and educational resources to students in a region where 94% of households lack reliable internet.

Recommended Next Steps

Near term: Confirm HSHS internet specifications with John Wanda; conduct radio propagation assessment of Bududa district; procure pilot hardware (2–3 RAK4631 LoRa nodes, Raspberry Pi hub, Meshtastic handhelds); register pilot gateways with UCC; configure initial Kiwix ZIM packages in English and local languages.

Medium term: Deploy pilot network to 2–3 village nodes; validate messaging latency and FarmNet data relay in parallel; develop offline-first application interface; evaluate SMS bridging via MTN/Airtel; document architecture for NSF, Kellogg, and UVA IDEAS Collaborative grant applications.

Longer term: Expand mesh to full Bududa district coverage; explore replication at the Navajo Nation pilot site (ArtReach International, Alice Carron); develop local maintenance training materials with HSHS staff.

Key Contacts

Name Role
John Wanda Executive Director, REACH for Uganda; HSHS liaison, Bududa District
Glen Bull Project Lead, Make to Learn Laboratory, University of Virginia
Rich Nguyen University of Virginia Computer Science; Oversee CS Students
Hannah Lee Community Analytics, Sangala Learning Innovation Consortium
Natasha Heny Communications and Literacy Strategies and Development
Jo Watts Manager, Make to Learn Laboratory
Isaac Matsanga Director of Information Technology, Hawthorne-Scribner High School
9

I am finally on the CAD forum yeah!

Still navigating how this works but great to see all conversations in one place. Our students will easily catch on. Thank you for approving my account. I will continue learning.

Joyce