After being disconnected for a long period of time, the joy of the rural communities of Rackoko, one of the thriving townships in Pader district finally got restored as they were reconnected with the rest of the world upon the successful re-construction of a 65 meter tower along the wireless back haul.
BOSCO Uganda Ltd being one of the longest serving community Network in Northern Uganda with funding from the internet Society Foundation was able to reinstate on of the tower that suffered weather challenges of storm and lightning strikes which caused permanent damages to internet Radios, increased operation cost and above all cause isolation of the communities for the global village as they were being served via this link.
This Community Network (BOSCO-U) like the rest of the Community Networks (CNs) in other parts of the world is in the effort to contribute to reliable, resilient and meaningful connectivity for all which is a concern of human rights.
As a Pioneering Community Network, BOSCO Uganda, as a community network organization, continues to confront serious environmental challenges. Fierce hailstorms, gale force winds, and relentless lightning strikes frequently threaten rural internet infrastructure across Northern Uganda.
Today, we celebrate a major milestone: the full restoration of our critical 65 Meters Rackoko link tower, a key backbone site ensuring reliable connectivity for underserved communities.
Tackling Rackoko’s Infrastructure Crisis
Some rainy seasons ago, destructive winds repeatedly battered the Rackoko tower, eventually toppling the 65-meter structure and severing essential backbone links. Lightning strikes further damaged equipment along this vital path, leading to costly repairs and service disruptions at community ICT centres.
For remote communities with no alternative connectivity options, these outages meant interrupted communication, halted digital services, and limited access to digital opportunities.
“When the tower went down, everything stopped,” shared Tony a Rackoko community member. “Our ICT centre was offline, and communication became very difficult. Now we finally feel reconnected.”
Recognizing Rackoko’s critical role in content relay, communication, and internet access, BOSCO Uganda prioritized immediate restoration.
A BOSCO-Led Restoration for Long-Term Resilience
The restoration was fully executed by our technical team with support of a contractor and the local contributions of the community members on land offered to BOSCO Uganda by the community which should be sustainable moving forward.
Over several weeks, the team:
- Replaced damaged equipment
- Reinforced the structure with stronger, modern materials
- Optimized signal paths for improved performance
- Integrated lightning arrestors and surge protection systems
Reliable Connectivity Powers Progress
With the Rackoko tower restored, communities once again benefit from stable internet independent of external institutions.
Enhanced surge protection now safeguards both equipment and users from lightning-related risks, reinforcing our commitment to safe and resilient digital access.
Thanks to the Internet Society Foundation.
Gratitude and Continued Momentum
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Rackoko community, the Internet Society Foundation, and all partners who supported this restoration.
This achievement demonstrates what community driven resilience can accomplish. Rackoko’s revival is more than a rebuilt tower. It is a strengthened link in Uganda’s growing digital backbone.
We welcome your feedback and collaboration as we continue advancing digital inclusion across Northern Uganda.
For more details, or to learn how your community can benefit from our network services, please reach out via our contact page or email [email protected]. Stay connected with us for future updates on our connectivity projects.
