In an exciting development for digital technology in Uganda, on April 19, 2023, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance unveiled the highly anticipated Digital Transformation Roadmap. This collaborative presentation, geared towards both Ugandan and European digital influencers, aimed to foster heightened coordination and ensured every partner can contribute to the roadmap’s triumphant realization effectively.
Our government, guided by the Ministry, has passionately placed digitalization at the core of our national developmental journey. This commitment is embodied in our Digital Transformation Roadmap.
Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), our Ministry has meticulously developed this roadmap. It’s designed to bolster the execution of critical enabling policies and laws, expedite Uganda’s Digital Revolution, and conceive strategic approaches like a robust big data utilization strategy, an experimental digital skills acceleration program, and support for the Government’s national digital agenda.
This groundbreaking roadmap presentation took place in a dynamic workshop powered by GIZ Uganda, Enabel, and ESTDEV. Part of the Africa Union-European Union (AU-EU) Digital for Development (D4D) Hub initiative, with additional backing from UNDP and Cluj IT Cluster Romania, the event was hosted at our thriving National ICT Innovation Hub Nakawa.
Over 100 passionate representatives spanning the private sector, civil society, international partners, and academia convened for this enlightening workshop. Together, they committed to enhancing coordination efforts, ensuring that every stakeholder in the digital ecosystem works in unison towards a shared objective. The workshop focused on two specific goals:
- Promoting widespread awareness of the Ugandan government’s Digital Transformation Roadmap within the digital ecosystem.
- Gathering insightful input from various stakeholders on how best to synchronize the roadmap’s implementation efforts.
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, shared her vision during the event: “Our aim is transformational. We strive to foster an open, transparent, and accessible Uganda that leaves no one behind. We firmly believe digital technology is key to realizing this ambition, as it empowers individuals and communities, boosts transparency and accountability, and catalyzes inclusive economic growth.”
Echoing her sentiments, Mr. Lennart Deridder, Team Leader for Inclusive Green Economy at the European Union Delegation to Uganda, expressed his delight at how Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap is aligned with the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative. This initiative promotes investment opportunities in infrastructure development, connecting people, societies, and economies with trust and sustainability at its core.
As we forge ahead, the Digital Transformation Roadmap is set for further validation before its final version is published. Meanwhile, workshop attendees have pledged to form a coordination structure to support its smooth implementation. This commitment marks an exciting phase in our digital journey, as we collaboratively shape the future of digital Uganda.
