Did you know the world’s first registered domain name, symbolics.com, went online on March 15, 1985?
That moment introduced the system of domain names we use to access websites today. A domain name is simply the address you type in the browser bar when visiting a website. For instance, nymynet.com is our domain name.
Many people in Uganda speak about websites as if they are a recent trend. After the COVID-19 period, these conversations have only grown stronger, with businesses, media brands, and organisations emphasising the need for online homes to reach fast-growing online audiences. Yet here is the surprise.
Besides global giants like Facebook, Twitter, and Google, several Ugandan-based websites were launched online around the same time. As of 2026, these sites have been online for nearly thirty years. And since nothing is without meaning, these older domains carry greater authority, allowing content on these websites to rank higher and more consistently on search engines like Google and Bing.
Arranged by domain name registration dates, here are the oldest existing websites in Uganda.
#1. Mtn.co.ug
MTN Uganda’s domain, mtn.co.ug, was officially registered on Wednesday, 30 September 1998, before the company was formally established on 21 October 1998. This makes it the oldest registered website and domain name in Uganda. As of 2026, the site has been online for over 27 years.
#2. Ura.go.ug
One of Uganda’s most visited websites, the Uganda Revenue Authority (ura.go.ug), was registered on Saturday, 31 October 1998. It is officially the second-oldest website in the country and has maintained an online presence for over 27 years.
#3. Mukwano.com
Locally known for manufacturing plastic consumer goods, Mukwano Group (also known as Mukwano Industries) registered the domain Mukwano.com on Saturday, 13 February 1999. The website has been online for 27 years.
#4. Bou.or.ug
The Bank of Uganda, established in 1966, registered the domain name Bou.or.ug on Sunday, 28 February 1999, and it has since served as the official address for its online home.
#5. Parliament.go.ug
The official website of Uganda’s Parliament was registered on Monday, 31 May 1999, and it has served as a web source of legislative information for over 27 years.
#6. Ucc.co.ug
The Uganda Communications Commission registered its website domain ucc.co.ug on Friday, 31 December 1999.
#7. Monitor.co.ug
Uganda’s most trusted newspaper, The Daily Monitor, registered the domain name, Monitor.co.ug, on Wednesday, 31 May 2000. The site has now been online for over 25 years.
#8. Publicservice.go.ug
The Uganda Public Service website, Publicservice.go.ug, was registered on Wednesday, 31 May 2000. Its launch coincided with several other government ministry websites that appeared online around the same period.
Also registered on 31 May 2000
Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – Finance.go.ug
Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Mofa.go.ug
30 June 2000
Ministry of Health – Health.go.ug
31 August 2000
Ministry of Agriculture – Agriculture.go.ug
Ministry of Works and Transport – Works.go.ug
#9. Newvision.co.ug
New Vision Uganda’s website, newvision.co.ug, went live on Tuesday, 31 October 2000.
#10. Bukedde.co.ug
The popular Luganda-language newspaper Bukedde registered its website domain, bukedde.co.ug, on Thursday, 31 August 2000.
Note: We cannot be certain that this list covers all Ugandan-based websites launched before 2000. If you know of any missing sites, share them in the comments below.
Popular Ugandan Websites Registered between 2000 and 2002.
2000
Makerere University of Business School – mubs.ac.ug
Nice House of Plastics – nice.co.ug
Picfare (Stationary & Printing) – picfare.com
Uganda Bureau of Statistics – ubos.org
2001
State House – Statehouse.go.ug
Ministry of Education – Education.go.ug
Makerere University – mak.ac.ug
National Water and Sewerage Corporation – nwsc.co.ug
Posta Uganda – ugapost.co.ug
2002
Kakira Sugar Works – Kakirasugar.com
Centenary Bank – Centenarybank.co.ug
Uganda Christian University – ucu.ac.ug
Crown Beverages Limited (Pepsi Uganda) – Pepsi-Cola.co.ug
Centenary Bank – centenarybank.co.ug
Nyanza Textile Industries Limited (Nytil) – nytil.com
