How New Hosting and eCommerce Solutions Are Shaping the Future of Uganda’s Digital Boom

TL; DR: In the Western world, technology has been integral to our lives for many decades. But in Uganda, the use of technology is only just beginning to spread. More people are gaining access to the internet and engaging in eCommerce, thanks to the increased implementation of broadband connections. Othware is a pivotal example of this. Othware is a Ugandan-based IT solutions company specializing in custom software development, web design and management, cloud services, web hosting, and consulting. We spoke with Team Lead Paul Okiria about how Othware has grown exponentially since its inception in 2016.

In 1990, the Ugandan internet penetration rate was 0%. Today, that amount has increased drastically to 25%.

Much of that is thanks to government actions, such as the implementation of the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).

This program aims to enhance digital inclusivity in underserved areas of Uganda. It also plans to improve broadband access and encourage more electronic usage (smartphones and computers, for example) to bridge the digital disparity between rural and urban areas.

Of course, with advancements comes growth. Experts predict the eCommerce market in Uganda will grow exponentially over the next few years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.96% between 2024 and 2029. (To put that in perspective, the U.S. has a CAGR of 8.99% — so it’s pretty incredible if you ask me.)

Othware is a prime example of the region’s tech growth. This Ugandan-based IT services company offers various tech solutions, including web design, software development, managed IT services, and cloud services.

Paul Okiria, Team Lead at Othware, spoke with us about the company’s global expansion since its inception in 2016, highlighting its dedication to offering custom IT solutions for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across diverse industries, from healthcare to entertainment.

Othware came to fruition in 2016. It spent its first couple of years establishing business relations, acquiring a few clients, and setting up its first office in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

“Initially, we hosted primarily CMS-based applications, like WordPress and Joomla,” Paul shared. “Now, about 40% of our hosting deals involve newer frameworks and applications.”

Othware has shifted from traditional shared hosting to offering more dynamic solutions, which is evident in its participation in local programs.

In 2020, Othware entered a BPO partnership with Crystal Technologies South Sudan Limited. The company aims to create Uganda’s inaugural electronic stock trading platform in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Uganda Securities Exchange.

The following year, Othware worked with Afroteller on the implementation of its peer-to-peer lending platform. The product is the first of its kind in East Africa.

Today, Othware expanded its services to the European market, with a deeper focus on developer outsourcing, augmentation, and software development.

“We are supporting them in that even if they have limited budgets, we try to get them the best value for their money.”

Paul Okiria, Team Lead at Othware

But with expansions come new regulations — especially in Europe, which is home to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The recently passed Data Protection and Privacy Act of Uganda, 2019 like the GDPR, requires some Ugandan businesses to store their data within the country.

In response, Othware is collocating its servers at the Raxio data center. This approach not only ensures compliance with the recently passed regulation but also allows Othware to offer personalized support, low latency and a better sense of data ownership.

“When people look for hosting here, they often consider server location. Many companies and individuals prefer hosting locally due to support issues often related with international providers,” Paul noted. “They may offer phone support, but calling internationally from Uganda is expensive and often results to inadequate assistance.”

Since Othware manages its own servers, data privacy regulations like the data protection and privacy act 2019 are a non-issue. It’s not a bragging right every up-and-coming web host or IT solutions agency can claim.

“We’re planning to expand to meet growing demand,” Paul added.

While operating their own servers can be costly, Othware is committed to keeping expenses manageable.

We’ve all been there — we sign up for a service under the guise of a certain price point. It’s the introductory pricing that gets most of us, and we try to remember to cancel our services before the second month renews.

But Othware doesn’t want to be that kind of service: It understands the importance of transparent pricing, so it has no surprise increases or unexpected charges. This means you can say goodbye to the element of surprise.

As a full-service solution, Othware does a little bit of everything. Some of its most popular services include:

• Website design
• Software development
• Managed IT services
• Cloud services
• Digital marketing
• Cybersecurity services
• IT consultancy
• Branding graphics

I think it’s quite an impressive portfolio, but Paul shared many of its clients are looking for two leading solutions: eCommerce websites and cybersecurity solutions.

eCommerce and Digital Marketing

Othware assists its clients with standard eCommerce tools such as WooCommerce or Shopify.

But if these tools can’t meet the client’s needs or are not within their budget, Paul mentioned that the IT team is more than happy to explore alternative applications or create something from scratch to match what the client is looking for.

“About 10% of our clients just want an eCommerce site; they want to be able to sell online,” Paul shared. “We are supporting them in that even if they have limited budgets, we try to get them the best value for their money.”

Othware can handle every aspect of your brand’s online presence, from niche strategy development to regular blog posts.

With more than 8,000 clients and 11 certified professionals in software development and web design, Othware particularly excels at creating custom applications. These include mobile and web apps, POS system integrations, tailored B2C and B2B solutions, and ERP and CRM systems.

Its expertise also spans digital marketing, offering services such as social media management, SEO, SEM, email marketing, retargeting, content creation, and affiliate marketing.

Cybersecurity

In today’s digital landscape, safeguarding your online presence is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.

Cybersecurity is not something to address after an attack, so it’s crucial to understand and implement it before your site becomes a target.

Othware provides robust cybersecurity solutions, including website maintenance, patching, updates, and vulnerability scanning. Proactive measures like these can protect your site from potential threats, whether automated or targeted.

Othware also offers penetration testing, or pentesting, thanks to its outsourced trusted experts. Pentesters are a unique component of cybersecurity: They comprise experienced ethical hackers who test innovative new methods that real cyberattackers may use.

You can also have Othware act as your personal virtual chief information security officer (CISO) or tap into its on-demand services, including consultations, network security monitoring, in-house training, and 24/7 managed cybersecurity.

With website security becoming increasingly complex, it’s vital to address specific vulnerabilities, like those in WordPress.

“WordPress websites used to be secure, but are now increasingly under attack if the site isn’t well maintained or secured,” Paul noted.

Unfortunately, Paul makes a great point. For example, did you know WordPress powers nearly half of all websites on the internet? This unfortunately means cybercriminals will, by default, target some WordPress sites.

Some of the most common attacks include exploiting outdated plugins or themes, brute force attacks, malware injection, scams, and social engineering.

But with Othware on the job keeping everything updated and providing around-the-clock monitoring, you can avoid these kinds of headaches.

No matter where you are, the cloud is among the hottest topics in the hosting world.

(I personally use it daily because I can’t seem to part with the thousands of photos on my iPhone. My solution is to pay $3 per month for 200GB with Apple’s iCloud+.)

That’s why Othware is now focusing on cloud solutions to enhance business continuity, disaster recovery, and hosting with major platforms like AWS and Google Cloud.

“There is increasing demand for cloud services as more clients prefer cloud environments over traditional shared hosting,” Paul noted. “We anticipate continued growth in cloud services and support clients transitioning to hybrid setups or fully cloud-based solutions.”

Here is a glance at Othware’s variety of cloud services:

• Private and public cloud shifts
• Hybrid cloud integration
• Applications portability
• Managed cloud services
• Cloud consulting

Whether you’re hosting in the cloud or using it to store your business data, the cloud has become a popular platform for hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide. In fact, 94% of surveyed companies are using cloud solutions as of 2023, and 60% of the world’s corporate data is stored in the cloud.

So, it only makes sense that other companies — particularly startups and SMBs — are following suit.

As for what’s next, Othware is also developing a public cloud and virtual server solution in Uganda. The goal is for these platforms to better address emerging market demands.

“We’re setting up a public cloud solution and exploring virtual servers for businesses that need a local presence in Uganda,” Paul said, adding: “We believe there’s a significant opportunity here, as international providers may not fully address our market’s needs.”

As Uganda experiences a digital boom, companies like Othware are leading the way by providing innovative IT solutions that promote growth and bridge the digital gap.

Not only is this an awesome step for local businesses, but we’re also witnessing a pivotal moment in technological history — something not every generation gets to experience. Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to transition online, learn more about how Othware can support your business.