If you thought your addiction to scrolling was a personal problem, the latest numbers from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) prove you are just part of a massive national trend. The UCC Market Performance Report for Q3 2025 (July – September) is out, and the data reveals a digital landscape that is shifting fast—driven heavily by video content and smartphone adoption.
Here is the deep dive into how Uganda connected, spent, and scrolled in the third quarter of 2025.
The Eye-Catching Stat: The Social Media Throne is Under Siege
For years, WhatsApp has been the undisputed King of Ugandan social media. However, the data indicates a massive coup is underway.
According to the Q3 report, WhatsApp has 10 Million subscribers, but TikTok is breathing down its neck with 9.3 Million subscribers.
That is a difference of only 700,000 users. Given the viral nature of TikTok among the youth (campusers, we see you), it is highly probable that the video-sharing giant could dethrone the green app by the next quarter.
The Social Media Leaderboard (Q3 2025):
WhatsApp: 10 Million
TikTok: 9.3 Million
YouTube: 6.3 Million
Snapchat: 2.5 Million
Instagram: 1.3 Million
X (formerly Twitter): 0.7 Million
Analyst Note: despite being the loudest platform for “violence” and discourse, X (Twitter) sits at the bottom of the top tier with less than a million users, proving it remains a niche platform compared to the visual giants.
Data Is Life: 268.8 Million GBs Consumed
The thirst for content resulted in a record-breaking amount of data usage. In just three months, internet traffic in Uganda hit 268.8 Million Gigabytes (GBs), up from 254.1 Million in the previous quarter.
This surge correlates with the increase in devices. The number of Smartphones in the country has hit 19.0 Million, meaning more Ugandans are ditching the “kabiriti” (basic phones are at 5.6M) for internet-enabled devices.
Mobile Money: The Trillion Shilling Economy
Mobile Money continues to be the wallet of the nation. The number of active mobile money subscriptions (90-day active) stands at 35.6 Million.
But here is the staggering number: 2.30 Billion transactions were carried out between July and September. Whether it’s paying for tuition, buying Kikomando, or sending “urgent 2k,” the volume of money moving digitally is massive.
Despite this high activity, the gross telecom revenue saw a dip, dropping from UGX 1.78 Trillion in June to UGX 1.62 Trillion in September 2025.
The Creative Hustle: Film and Animation on the Rise
For the Mass Com and film students, the report brings good news regarding the creative industry. The UCC is actively funding and pushing for Ugandan content.
Global Wins: The Ugandan animation “Kintu” won Best Animation at the KADIFF 2025 in Nigeria.
Funding: Through the Content Development Support Programme (CDSP), UCC approved 57 local proposals for funding to help creators bring their scripts to life.
Mobile Cinema: A Mobile Cinema Van was launched to tour schools and communities, screening local films and providing a stage for theatre groups.
Cyber Security: A Warning to CEOs (and Students)
With great connectivity comes great risk. During the “CEO Cybersecurity Breakfast,” UCC Executive Director Hon. Nyombi Thembo warned against unsafe practices, specifically transacting over public Wi-Fi. So, next time you are at a cafe using free internet, think twice before logging into your mobile banking app.
Summary Snapshot
Total Active Mobile SIMs: 45.7 Million.
Mobile Internet Subscriptions: 17.0 Million.
Towers: 5,444.
Postal/Courier Revenue: UGX 13.5 Billion.
The data is clear: Uganda is watching more video, buying more smartphones, and transacting more money digitally than ever before. The question remains—will TikTok officially take the number one spot before the year ends?
Please view full report below;
