Mobile operator MTN has rolled out a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in Uganda.

MTN officials say its LTE network offers almost triple the speeds of existing mobile broadband connections available in Uganda.

Last year, telecommunication network Smile rolled out East Africa’s first LTE network in Tanzania. Other nations such as Angola, South Africa and Namibia have LTE networks as well.

The Uganda LTE service from MTN, though, is initially planned to be available in greater Kampala, with other towns to follow in the near future.

MTN officials add that there are 20 locations in the country that have been fully integrated onto the LTE network. Furthermore, LTE-capable dongles are expected to be on sale at selected MTN outlets.

“We are happy to claim another first in Uganda with this momentous announcement as MTN Uganda successfully launches its LTE network, offering world-class Internet services to our customers,” says Ernst Fonternel, MTN Uganda’s chief marketing officer.

“Our challenge isn’t keeping ahead of the other operators. It’s keeping ahead of the tidal wave of data demand both in our country and in the region. Last year we launched our 21.6Mbps data network and last month we rolled out our 42Mbps data network and now LTE,” adds Fonternel.

The roll-out of LTE in Uganda forms part of MTN’s network expansion in that country.

MTN was launched in Uganda in 1998. And the company says that in 2012 alone, its capital expenditure (CAPEX) investments exceeded $80 million.

The company further plans to invest an additional $70 million in 2013 towards further infrastructure development.

“In terms of network infrastructure, MTN Uganda has deployed 2,800 km of fibre backbones,” says Rami Farah, MTN Uganda’s chief technical officer.

“Another 400 km of fibre is currently under deployment between Mutundwe in Kampala and Kyenjojo district in Western Uganda and should be completed within the coming months,” adds Farah.

According to BuddeComm research, Uganda has a 47% mobile penetration rate. The country also has a population of just over 34 million, says the World Bank.

Furthermore, MTN in a quarterly update says its Uganda operations have added 248,000 subscribers to its network, growing 3,2% to reach a total of over 7 million subscribers..

Earlier this year, MTN said it has a 52.5% market share of Uganda’s mobile market. Other mobile operators with a presence in Uganda include the likes of Bharti Airtel, Warid Telecom (Essar) and Orange (HiTS Telecom).