Communication
Ministry Reviews 5-Year Performance on Uganda’s Digital Transformation Journey
The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, together with its agencies and the Parliamentary Committee on ICT and National Guidance, held an engagement to present the sector’s five-year performance report and review Uganda’s progress in digital transformation, communication, innovation, and service delivery.
The event brought together Ministers, Members of Parliament, heads of agencies, technical officers, and sector stakeholders to reflect on achievements from 2021 - 2026.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Tony Ayoo, said the Committee worked closely with the Ministry to support Uganda’s digital transformation agenda. Over the tenure of the 11th Parliament, the Committee conducted more than 100 formal meetings, scrutinised four major Bills, reviewed five sector budgets amounting to over UGX 2.8 trillion, and carried out oversight visits and public hearings across the country.
According to Hon. Ayoo, the Committee’s work strengthened oversight, improved accountability, and supported reforms within institutions such as Posta Uganda, UBC, and the National Backbone Infrastructure. Reflecting on the relationship between Parliament and the Ministry, he praised the cooperation that existed throughout the five years.
“We started this journey as people who did not know each other very well, but we have ended well. Today we are here appreciating one another and thanking each other for the work we achieved together,” he said.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, described the last five years as a period of significant growth for Uganda’s digital sector. He said the Ministry expanded the National Backbone Infrastructure, increased telecommunications penetration, and extended connectivity to schools, hospitals, and government institutions nationwide.
The Minister also highlighted the rollout of locally developed digital systems supporting procurement, education, healthcare, and the Parish Development Model. He noted that the growth of fintech and online financial services is transforming daily life and improving access to services. “Today, many people can access financial services without physically going to the bank. This shows how digital innovation is changing lives and making services more accessible,” he said.
The Minister further highlighted the expansion of Uganda’s innovation ecosystem through ICT innovation hubs in Nakawa, Soroti, Kabale, and Muni, with additional hubs being developed in Gulu, Busitema, and Fort Portal.
He called for stronger support towards commercialising local innovation to create jobs and grow Uganda’s digital economy. “If we properly harness and commercialise our innovations, Ugandans are going to surprise the world,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, commended the collaboration between political leaders, Parliament, and technical teams, describing it as one of the drivers of progress within the sector.
She also confirmed that Uganda is finalising its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, expected to be completed by the end of the financial year.
According to Dr. Zawedde, the strategy will guide the development of Uganda’s future AI policy and provide a framework for the responsible deployment and regulation of Artificial Intelligence. “For the first time, Uganda will have a structured framework to guide the development, deployment, governance, and regulation of Artificial Intelligence,” she said.
Leaders at the event also recognised the contribution of agencies, including NITA-U, UCC, Posta Uganda, UBC, Uganda Media Centre, and the Media Council, in advancing connectivity, digital systems, communication, and public service delivery.
The engagement included a moment of silence in honour of the late Hon. Helen Nakimuli, a former member of the ICT Committee remembered for her contribution to Uganda’s ICT sector.
As the country prepares for the transition into the 12th Parliament, speakers called for continued investment in digital infrastructure, innovation, and digital skills development. Quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Minister reminded attendees that: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress.”
The event closed with renewed commitment from Parliament and the Ministry to continue working together to strengthen Uganda’s digital transformation agenda and improve service delivery across the country.
The event brought together Ministers, Members of Parliament, heads of agencies, technical officers, and sector stakeholders to reflect on achievements from 2021 - 2026.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Tony Ayoo, said the Committee worked closely with the Ministry to support Uganda’s digital transformation agenda. Over the tenure of the 11th Parliament, the Committee conducted more than 100 formal meetings, scrutinised four major Bills, reviewed five sector budgets amounting to over UGX 2.8 trillion, and carried out oversight visits and public hearings across the country.
According to Hon. Ayoo, the Committee’s work strengthened oversight, improved accountability, and supported reforms within institutions such as Posta Uganda, UBC, and the National Backbone Infrastructure. Reflecting on the relationship between Parliament and the Ministry, he praised the cooperation that existed throughout the five years.
“We started this journey as people who did not know each other very well, but we have ended well. Today we are here appreciating one another and thanking each other for the work we achieved together,” he said.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, described the last five years as a period of significant growth for Uganda’s digital sector. He said the Ministry expanded the National Backbone Infrastructure, increased telecommunications penetration, and extended connectivity to schools, hospitals, and government institutions nationwide.
The Minister also highlighted the rollout of locally developed digital systems supporting procurement, education, healthcare, and the Parish Development Model. He noted that the growth of fintech and online financial services is transforming daily life and improving access to services. “Today, many people can access financial services without physically going to the bank. This shows how digital innovation is changing lives and making services more accessible,” he said.
The Minister further highlighted the expansion of Uganda’s innovation ecosystem through ICT innovation hubs in Nakawa, Soroti, Kabale, and Muni, with additional hubs being developed in Gulu, Busitema, and Fort Portal.
He called for stronger support towards commercialising local innovation to create jobs and grow Uganda’s digital economy. “If we properly harness and commercialise our innovations, Ugandans are going to surprise the world,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, commended the collaboration between political leaders, Parliament, and technical teams, describing it as one of the drivers of progress within the sector.
She also confirmed that Uganda is finalising its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, expected to be completed by the end of the financial year.
According to Dr. Zawedde, the strategy will guide the development of Uganda’s future AI policy and provide a framework for the responsible deployment and regulation of Artificial Intelligence. “For the first time, Uganda will have a structured framework to guide the development, deployment, governance, and regulation of Artificial Intelligence,” she said.
Leaders at the event also recognised the contribution of agencies, including NITA-U, UCC, Posta Uganda, UBC, Uganda Media Centre, and the Media Council, in advancing connectivity, digital systems, communication, and public service delivery.
The engagement included a moment of silence in honour of the late Hon. Helen Nakimuli, a former member of the ICT Committee remembered for her contribution to Uganda’s ICT sector.
As the country prepares for the transition into the 12th Parliament, speakers called for continued investment in digital infrastructure, innovation, and digital skills development. Quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Minister reminded attendees that: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress.”
The event closed with renewed commitment from Parliament and the Ministry to continue working together to strengthen Uganda’s digital transformation agenda and improve service delivery across the country.
The author is a Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.
