Artificial Intelligence
Uganda Champions Inclusive Global AI Governance at UN Dialogue
Uganda has called for developing countries to play a greater role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI), saying global AI governance should be built through equal partnership so that every country has a voice in the decisions that will guide the technology.
The call was made on 7th July 2026 during the High-Level Governmental Plenary Segment of the inaugural United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland. The dialogue brought together representatives from all 193 United Nations Member States to discuss how AI can be developed and governed in a way that is safe, inclusive and beneficial to all.
Uganda's delegation was led by the Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, who delivered the country's statement on behalf of His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The delegation also included the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the Executive Director of the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U), and members of Uganda's AI Task Force.
Addressing the plenary, Hon. Odria said Uganda is committed to using AI to support sustainable development, accelerate digital transformation and improve people's lives. "Uganda does not come to this Dialogue to receive policies and guidelines written for us by others. We come to help write them," he said.
The Minister said Uganda sees AI as an important tool for achieving its goal of growing the economy tenfold to USD 500 billion by 2040. He explained that AI can increase productivity, improve public services and create new opportunities in agriculture, healthcare, education, tourism, mineral development and other key sectors.
He said Uganda's Digital Transformation Roadmap provides the foundation for this work through investments in digital infrastructure, government digital services, cybersecurity, data protection, digital skills and innovation.
Hon. Odria noted that the benefits of AI will remain out of reach for many countries unless the global community addresses gaps in computing infrastructure, technical expertise and access to quality data. He pointed out that Africa currently has less than 1% of the world's AI computing capacity, limiting the continent's ability to develop and deploy advanced AI technologies. "A tenfold-growth ambition cannot run on one per cent of the world's capability," he said.
Uganda called for stronger international cooperation to expand access to computing resources, build local capacity and increase investment in AI across developing countries. The Minister said this cooperation should be based on partnership rather than dependency.
He also called for global AI standards that promote interoperability so that technologies developed in countries such as Uganda can be recognised and used across borders.
Hon. Odria said transparency, accountability and human oversight should remain central to AI governance to protect people's rights and build public trust. He added that AI systems should reflect the diversity of the world's languages, cultures and communities, many of which are still underrepresented in today's AI technologies.
Uganda welcomed the first report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and expressed its readiness to contribute to future work under the Global Dialogue. The country also encouraged the Panel to draw more from the research, expertise and experience of the Global South.
The Minister said effective AI governance should be shaped at national, regional, continental and global levels, with developing countries participating as equal partners. "Govern this technology with us, not for us. That is how a rule made in Geneva earns trust in Kampala, and how a solution built in Kampala is recognised in Geneva," he said.
During the dialogue, Uganda also shared its progress in AI adoption and the steps it is taking to develop policies and regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation while promoting the safe, responsible and inclusive use of artificial intelligence.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by Member States to work together on the future of AI governance. Uganda said it will continue contributing to international efforts that ensure artificial intelligence supports sustainable development, drives digital transformation and improves service delivery for people around the world.
The call was made on 7th July 2026 during the High-Level Governmental Plenary Segment of the inaugural United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland. The dialogue brought together representatives from all 193 United Nations Member States to discuss how AI can be developed and governed in a way that is safe, inclusive and beneficial to all.
Uganda's delegation was led by the Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, who delivered the country's statement on behalf of His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The delegation also included the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the Executive Director of the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U), and members of Uganda's AI Task Force.
Addressing the plenary, Hon. Odria said Uganda is committed to using AI to support sustainable development, accelerate digital transformation and improve people's lives. "Uganda does not come to this Dialogue to receive policies and guidelines written for us by others. We come to help write them," he said.
The Minister said Uganda sees AI as an important tool for achieving its goal of growing the economy tenfold to USD 500 billion by 2040. He explained that AI can increase productivity, improve public services and create new opportunities in agriculture, healthcare, education, tourism, mineral development and other key sectors.
He said Uganda's Digital Transformation Roadmap provides the foundation for this work through investments in digital infrastructure, government digital services, cybersecurity, data protection, digital skills and innovation.
Hon. Odria noted that the benefits of AI will remain out of reach for many countries unless the global community addresses gaps in computing infrastructure, technical expertise and access to quality data. He pointed out that Africa currently has less than 1% of the world's AI computing capacity, limiting the continent's ability to develop and deploy advanced AI technologies. "A tenfold-growth ambition cannot run on one per cent of the world's capability," he said.
Uganda called for stronger international cooperation to expand access to computing resources, build local capacity and increase investment in AI across developing countries. The Minister said this cooperation should be based on partnership rather than dependency.
He also called for global AI standards that promote interoperability so that technologies developed in countries such as Uganda can be recognised and used across borders.
Hon. Odria said transparency, accountability and human oversight should remain central to AI governance to protect people's rights and build public trust. He added that AI systems should reflect the diversity of the world's languages, cultures and communities, many of which are still underrepresented in today's AI technologies.
Uganda welcomed the first report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and expressed its readiness to contribute to future work under the Global Dialogue. The country also encouraged the Panel to draw more from the research, expertise and experience of the Global South.
The Minister said effective AI governance should be shaped at national, regional, continental and global levels, with developing countries participating as equal partners. "Govern this technology with us, not for us. That is how a rule made in Geneva earns trust in Kampala, and how a solution built in Kampala is recognised in Geneva," he said.
During the dialogue, Uganda also shared its progress in AI adoption and the steps it is taking to develop policies and regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation while promoting the safe, responsible and inclusive use of artificial intelligence.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by Member States to work together on the future of AI governance. Uganda said it will continue contributing to international efforts that ensure artificial intelligence supports sustainable development, drives digital transformation and improves service delivery for people around the world.
The author is a Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.
