TikTok has emerged as the undisputed leader in data consumption among Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms in Uganda, accounting for a staggering 56% of total traffic, according to newly released statistics shared by Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Nyombi Thembo.
Despite having nearly the same number of subscribers as WhatsApp—9.17 million vs. 9.29 million, respectively—TikTok users consumed over 22.4 million GBs of data, dwarfing WhatsApp’s 9.7 million GBs, which represents 24% of total OTT traffic.
“This is what it looks like. TikTok carries the day in Uganda,” Nyombi posted on X (formerly Twitter), underlining the platform’s dominance in shaping Uganda’s digital consumption patterns in 2025.
Key Highlights from the OTT Usage Breakdown:
What It Means:
TikTok’s overwhelming lead in data usage reveals its video-centric content model as a major driver of internet consumption, particularly among young Ugandans. While WhatsApp maintains an edge in messaging and connectivity, its data-light nature keeps its traffic volumes significantly lower.
YouTube, with 6.4 million users, accounted for 13% of total data traffic, reaffirming its status as a major video platform, while Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter (X), and Netflix trail behind in both user numbers and data consumption.
Industry Implications:
The figures are likely to influence future infrastructure investments, content delivery strategies, and data pricing models by telecom providers and regulators. The shift underscores a broader trend toward video-heavy platforms, with policy and commercial implications for Uganda’s digital economy.
As Uganda prepares for expanded broadband rollout under initiatives like the National Backbone Infrastructure, platforms like TikTok will continue to shape the digital landscape, social interactions, and content consumption trends in the years ahead.
