Ugandans are expected to benefit from faster, better-connected public services; less paperwork; improved access to essential services; and new opportunities for business and innovation after the National Data Strategy launches. The Strategy seeks to enable Government institutions to securely share information, reduce duplication and make informed decisions that respond to citizens' needs.

The Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance (Information), Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, officially launched the Strategy on Tuesday, 20th October 2026, at Mestil Hotel, Kampala. The event brought together Government officials, Members of Parliament, development partners, the private sector, academia and civil society.

Speaking at the launch, Hon. Ssebugwawo described the Strategy as an important milestone in Uganda's digital transformation journey. "Today, we are not simply launching a document. We are setting a shared direction for how Uganda can better manage, protect, share and use data to drive national development," she said.

The Minister emphasised that data is a strategic national asset that can help Government make informed decisions, improve service delivery and create economic opportunities.

"Data is a strategic national asset. When managed and used well, it supports evidence-based decision-making, improves service delivery, promotes innovation, and creates opportunities for economic growth," she said.

She explained that reliable data can help local governments identify gaps in healthcare, education and access to clean water, while enabling businesses to understand markets and develop new products and services.

The Strategy is built around three pillars: data governance, data infrastructure and strategic data utilisation, supported by two areas: people and culture, and research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
"Collecting information is not enough; we must use it to inform policy, improve public services, support businesses, and meet the needs of our people," Hon. Ssebugwawo said.

She called for stronger data protection, improved digital infrastructure, and greater investment in digital skills, while ensuring women, young people, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised communities benefit from the digital economy.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of public awareness to help citizens understand how their information is collected, protected, and used.

"The success of this strategy will depend on its implementation. We must address challenges such as fragmented data systems, inconsistent standards, limited data sharing and inadequate infrastructure," she said.

She urged Government institutions, local governments, the private sector, academia, civil society and development partners to work together to translate the Strategy into practical results.

In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, explained that the Strategy was developed through consultations involving Government institutions, development partners, academia, civil society and the private sector. She noted that Uganda already collects considerable amounts of data, but much of it remains scattered across institutions, creating duplication and unnecessary costs.

Dr. Zawedde explained that the Strategy will help institutions share information securely, improve planning and reduce the need for citizens to repeatedly provide information that Government already holds.

She also highlighted the importance of reliable data in supporting emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and creating opportunities for Ugandan innovators.

The Permanent Secretary said the five-year Strategy will require an estimated UGX 1.6 trillion to implement, with resources expected to come from Government and development partners.

Implementation will be coordinated through a National Data Steering Committee and a National Data Office within the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.

She emphasised that the Strategy's success should be measured by improvements in public service delivery, reduced costs and opportunities created for citizens rather than the volume of information collected.

The UNDP Uganda Resident Representative, Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, welcomed the launch and emphasised the importance of using reliable information to ensure that development programmes respond to citizens' needs.

She noted that accurate, accessible data is essential to identify underserved communities, improve resource allocation, and ensure vulnerable groups are included in development planning.

Ms. Vwede-Obahor reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to supporting implementation and encouraged institutions to use data to address challenges in agriculture, healthcare, education, tourism and other sectors.

The launch also featured a technical presentation and panel discussion on responsible data sharing, digital inclusion, research and innovation. Participants highlighted opportunities to use information from Government and the private sector to improve planning, including preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

In his closing remarks, the Chairperson of Parliament's Committee on ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, commended the Ministry and its partners for developing the Strategy and encouraged stakeholders to focus on effective implementation.

He emphasised the importance of translating policy commitments into practical actions that improve public services, support innovation and contribute to national development.

The Minister concluded by calling for collective responsibility in implementing the Strategy. "Let us move from planning to action and work together to build a coordinated, inclusive and vibrant data-driven economy that supports Uganda's socio-economic transformation," she said.