Partnerships
For three years, the Uganda ICT Industry Promotion Project, UJ-Connect, has steadily reshaped Uganda’s ICT sector, transforming an ambitious vision into measurable impact. Launched in 2023 by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in partnership with JICA, the project aims to strengthen Uganda’s digital workforce, connect local enterprises to global markets, and foster a competitive technology ecosystem.
On 19th February 2026, stakeholders gathered at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa for the Sixth Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting, reflecting on the progress achieved over the past three years and charting the next steps to sustain momentum. Since the formal launch of the Uganda–Japan ICT industry promotion partnership, that vision has steadily evolved from concept into structured implementation, with tangible results across skills development, policy frameworks, business linkages, and technology-driven entrepreneurship.
The initiative, implemented by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, began with a shared recognition that Uganda’s ICT sector required more than isolated interventions. It required alignment between policy and practice, between training institutions and industry, and between local innovation and international opportunity. The first JCC laid this groundwork, establishing a collaborative framework to guide reforms, monitor results, and ensure that the partnership remained responsive to emerging realities.
“For three years, UJ-Connect has delivered remarkable results across all four outputs. Today, we reflect on how far we have come, the challenges we have overcome, and the lessons that will guide us in sustaining the progress achieved. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance noted during the 6th JCC.
Since the inaugural meeting, the UJ-Connect Project has steadily strengthened Uganda’s ICT ecosystem, generating tangible results across policy, skills, industry linkages, and entrepreneurship.
In strengthening the policy and regulatory environment, the UJ-Connect Project has made significant progress. Uganda’s ICT Intellectual Property Guidelines have been disseminated across Kampala, Kabale, and Muni, ensuring that stakeholders nationwide are informed and empowered to protect and commercialise innovations. Complementing this, national ICT skillset standards covering priority competencies have been developed and authorised, laying a robust foundation for a competitive ICT industry. Preparations are underway for pilot certification examinations aligned with international ITPEC standards, and the compilation of a national ICT statistics compendium is progressing to inform evidence-based policy and planning.
Efforts to enhance human resource capacity have also borne fruit. The Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) has rolled out short-term courses in Web Application Development, Data Science, and Cybersecurity, attracting strong participation and achieving a 95 percent completion rate in the cybersecurity track. Faculty expertise has been reinforced through Training of Trainers sessions and international professional engagements, ensuring that knowledge transfer is effective and sustainable. Building on this foundation, advanced programs in Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, and a second intake in Data Science are planned for early 2026, complemented by practical business leadership modules to equip graduates with the skills needed to thrive in the industry.
In the realm of business matching and industry linkages, the operationalisation of the Biz-Link platform has been a game-changer. Accessible via the Ministry’s website, it now connects over 280 engineers and 109 ICT companies with regional and global partners. Ugandan firms have participated in online and in-person business-matching events with Japanese collaborators, undertaken study tours to Japan, and joined third-country exchanges in Vietnam. Eight pilot offshoring projects have already been completed, demonstrating the sector’s growing capacity to engage meaningfully in global digital value chains.
To foster technology-driven entrepreneurship, UJ-Connect has supported more than 60 entrepreneurs and student innovators through three mentorship batches. Participants received proof-of-concept funding of up to USD 5,000 to scale and commercialise their solutions. Several top start-ups have showcased their innovations on international platforms, including GITEX Dubai, with others preparing for SushiTech in Tokyo, highlighting Uganda’s emergence as a hub for ICT-driven innovation and enterprise.
Reflecting on these achievements, JICA Country Representative, Mr. INOUE Yoichi, said, “UJ-Connect is more than a set of projects; it is a foundation for sustainable digital growth. Last week, Japanese companies explored potential business partnerships with Ugandan enterprises, visiting universities, ministries, departments, and innovation centers. These engagements demonstrate the potential of Uganda’s ICT sector to bridge skills and employment gaps, and we remain committed to facilitating dialogue, supporting enabling environments, and strengthening institutional capacities so these partnerships can thrive.”
From its first coordination meeting to this sixth milestone, the Uganda–Japan partnership has matured into a comprehensive framework shaping policy alignment, talent development, global market access, and innovation growth. In doing so, it continues to position Uganda’s ICT sector for inclusive, competitive, and future-ready transformation.
Feb 21, 2026