Partnerships
MoICT&NG–STI Alignment for Uganda’s Digital Transformation
.png)
Uganda’s ambition to transition from a predominantly peasant society to a modern, prosperous, upper-middle-income country is clearly articulated in Uganda Vision 2040. Central to this is the integration of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance with Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), a partnership essential for accelerating socio-economic transformation, industrialisation, and the growth of a knowledge-based economy.
On 17 March 2026, the Ministry and the STI Secretariat held their first collaboration workshop at the National ICT Innovation Hub. The session brought together leadership and technical teams to map existing efforts, align priorities, and prepare for the soft launch of the IoT Lab, a key milestone reflecting this convergence.
Dr Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, emphasised that collaboration is critical to avoid duplication, inefficiency, and delays. She highlighted the Ministry’s role in advancing digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and citizen engagement, with initiatives like the National ICT Innovation Hub supporting startups, skills development, and local solutions.
Dr Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation under the Office of the President, outlined the Secretariat’s focus on industrial value chains, including mobility, Industry 4.0+, and infrastructure innovation, to position Uganda for advanced manufacturing.
Uganda Vision 2040 identifies STI and ICT as core enablers across sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services, driving productivity and service delivery.
The meeting highlighted key areas of synergy:
• Digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0+, including smart electronics and hardware innovation
• Innovation hubs and start-ups, linking research to commercialisation
• IoT and smart infrastructure, exemplified by the IoT Lab
• Public-private partnerships leveraging private sector capabilities
Participants agreed to strengthen coordination through a joint working committee, co-invest in shared infrastructure such as innovation hubs and labs, and ensure policy alignment across both sectors.
The meeting concluded that closer collaboration between STI and ICT is essential to achieving Uganda’s transformation agenda. By aligning efforts, Uganda can accelerate industrialisation, empower its youth, and strengthen its position in the global knowledge economy.
On 17 March 2026, the Ministry and the STI Secretariat held their first collaboration workshop at the National ICT Innovation Hub. The session brought together leadership and technical teams to map existing efforts, align priorities, and prepare for the soft launch of the IoT Lab, a key milestone reflecting this convergence.
Dr Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, emphasised that collaboration is critical to avoid duplication, inefficiency, and delays. She highlighted the Ministry’s role in advancing digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and citizen engagement, with initiatives like the National ICT Innovation Hub supporting startups, skills development, and local solutions.
Dr Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation under the Office of the President, outlined the Secretariat’s focus on industrial value chains, including mobility, Industry 4.0+, and infrastructure innovation, to position Uganda for advanced manufacturing.
Uganda Vision 2040 identifies STI and ICT as core enablers across sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services, driving productivity and service delivery.
The meeting highlighted key areas of synergy:
• Digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0+, including smart electronics and hardware innovation
• Innovation hubs and start-ups, linking research to commercialisation
• IoT and smart infrastructure, exemplified by the IoT Lab
• Public-private partnerships leveraging private sector capabilities
Participants agreed to strengthen coordination through a joint working committee, co-invest in shared infrastructure such as innovation hubs and labs, and ensure policy alignment across both sectors.
The meeting concluded that closer collaboration between STI and ICT is essential to achieving Uganda’s transformation agenda. By aligning efforts, Uganda can accelerate industrialisation, empower its youth, and strengthen its position in the global knowledge economy.
The author is a Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.
