Communication
Familiarisation Visit Highlights NITA-U's Digital Progress
Efforts to improve government digital services, strengthen cybersecurity, and expand digital infrastructure was the focus as the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Lumumba Kasule, led a familiarisation engagement at the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U).
She was accompanied by the Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, and Ministry officials.
The visit forms part of the Ministry's ongoing familiarisation programme across agencies under its supervision, giving the Ministers an opportunity to better understand their mandates, achievements, priorities, and challenges while strengthening collaboration across the ICT sector.
The NITA-U Board Chair representative welcomed the delegation and presented the Authority's progress in expanding digital infrastructure, delivering shared government ICT services, strengthening cybersecurity, and protecting personal data.
NITA-U Executive Director, Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, said digital technology has become a key driver of Uganda's development. "ICT is no longer just a support function. It is a critical enabler of government. Our focus is to build secure digital infrastructure that allows Government to deliver better services, improve efficiency and support economic transformation."
The Authority highlighted progress under the National Backbone Infrastructure, with fibre optic connectivity extended to 41 additional districts as work continues towards nationwide coverage.
NITA-U also reported that the National Data Centre and Disaster Recovery Centre currently host more than 308 government applications serving over 100 Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Through the Government interoperability platform, 168 organisations, including 70 public institutions and 98 private sector entities, securely exchange information to improve service delivery.
The delegation also received an update on Uganda's National Electronic Signature Platform, which won international recognition at the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Awards. The platform enables government institutions to securely sign documents electronically, reducing paperwork while improving efficiency and the security of official records.
The Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) also briefed the delegation on its work to implement the Data Protection and Privacy Act and safeguard citizens' personal information.
National Personal Data Protection Director Mr Baker Birikujja said public trust is essential for digital transformation. "Trust is at the centre of digital transformation. When people know their personal information is protected, they are more confident using online government and business services. Strong data protection also makes Uganda more attractive for digital investment and Business Process Outsourcing."
He noted that the Office currently supervises more than 13,400 registered data controllers and processors and continues to strengthen compliance through inspections, investigations, public awareness, and guidance for organisations handling personal data.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, said the increasing demand for digital public services calls for continued investment in digital infrastructure, systems, and skills. "The digital transformation journey has changed significantly over the years. Today, citizens expect Government services to be available digitally. Our responsibility is to continue building the infrastructure, systems and capacity needed to meet that demand."
Rt. Hon. Justine Lumumba Kasule commended NITA-U and the Personal Data Protection Office for the progress made in advancing Uganda's digital transformation agenda. She said digital technologies are improving government efficiency, creating jobs, and supporting economic growth.
"Digital transformation is no longer an option. It is central to improving service delivery, creating jobs and supporting Uganda's economic growth. We must also help citizens understand these digital services so they can use them with confidence."
The Minister called for greater public awareness of data protection, electronic signatures, cybersecurity, and other government digital services. She also requested regular technical briefings for the Ministry's leadership to deepen understanding of emerging technologies and guide informed policy decisions. She further asked that major digital initiatives and proposed regulations be discussed with the Ministry before approval so that the leadership fully understands and supports their implementation.
Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria thanked the Board, Management, and staff of NITA-U for the comprehensive presentations and assured them of the Ministry's continued support. "Our role as leaders is to support you to succeed. We shall work closely with all our agencies, address challenges together, and ensure that the Ministry provides the leadership needed to accelerate digital transformation and improve services for Ugandans."
He encouraged regular engagement between the Ministry and its agencies to address emerging challenges, strengthen government digital services, and improve service delivery.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration, accelerate implementation of Uganda's Digital Transformation Roadmap, strengthen cybersecurity and data protection, and expand secure, reliable, and citizen-centered digital services for all Ugandans.
She was accompanied by the Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, and Ministry officials.
The visit forms part of the Ministry's ongoing familiarisation programme across agencies under its supervision, giving the Ministers an opportunity to better understand their mandates, achievements, priorities, and challenges while strengthening collaboration across the ICT sector.
The NITA-U Board Chair representative welcomed the delegation and presented the Authority's progress in expanding digital infrastructure, delivering shared government ICT services, strengthening cybersecurity, and protecting personal data.
NITA-U Executive Director, Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, said digital technology has become a key driver of Uganda's development. "ICT is no longer just a support function. It is a critical enabler of government. Our focus is to build secure digital infrastructure that allows Government to deliver better services, improve efficiency and support economic transformation."
The Authority highlighted progress under the National Backbone Infrastructure, with fibre optic connectivity extended to 41 additional districts as work continues towards nationwide coverage.
NITA-U also reported that the National Data Centre and Disaster Recovery Centre currently host more than 308 government applications serving over 100 Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Through the Government interoperability platform, 168 organisations, including 70 public institutions and 98 private sector entities, securely exchange information to improve service delivery.
The delegation also received an update on Uganda's National Electronic Signature Platform, which won international recognition at the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Awards. The platform enables government institutions to securely sign documents electronically, reducing paperwork while improving efficiency and the security of official records.
The Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) also briefed the delegation on its work to implement the Data Protection and Privacy Act and safeguard citizens' personal information.
National Personal Data Protection Director Mr Baker Birikujja said public trust is essential for digital transformation. "Trust is at the centre of digital transformation. When people know their personal information is protected, they are more confident using online government and business services. Strong data protection also makes Uganda more attractive for digital investment and Business Process Outsourcing."
He noted that the Office currently supervises more than 13,400 registered data controllers and processors and continues to strengthen compliance through inspections, investigations, public awareness, and guidance for organisations handling personal data.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, said the increasing demand for digital public services calls for continued investment in digital infrastructure, systems, and skills. "The digital transformation journey has changed significantly over the years. Today, citizens expect Government services to be available digitally. Our responsibility is to continue building the infrastructure, systems and capacity needed to meet that demand."
Rt. Hon. Justine Lumumba Kasule commended NITA-U and the Personal Data Protection Office for the progress made in advancing Uganda's digital transformation agenda. She said digital technologies are improving government efficiency, creating jobs, and supporting economic growth.
"Digital transformation is no longer an option. It is central to improving service delivery, creating jobs and supporting Uganda's economic growth. We must also help citizens understand these digital services so they can use them with confidence."
The Minister called for greater public awareness of data protection, electronic signatures, cybersecurity, and other government digital services. She also requested regular technical briefings for the Ministry's leadership to deepen understanding of emerging technologies and guide informed policy decisions. She further asked that major digital initiatives and proposed regulations be discussed with the Ministry before approval so that the leadership fully understands and supports their implementation.
Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria thanked the Board, Management, and staff of NITA-U for the comprehensive presentations and assured them of the Ministry's continued support. "Our role as leaders is to support you to succeed. We shall work closely with all our agencies, address challenges together, and ensure that the Ministry provides the leadership needed to accelerate digital transformation and improve services for Ugandans."
He encouraged regular engagement between the Ministry and its agencies to address emerging challenges, strengthen government digital services, and improve service delivery.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration, accelerate implementation of Uganda's Digital Transformation Roadmap, strengthen cybersecurity and data protection, and expand secure, reliable, and citizen-centered digital services for all Ugandans.
The author is a Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.
