Globally, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is currently integral to all aspects of public and private endeavors – and will be, into the future. ICT is listed among the core development enablers in Uganda under our key policy documents – the National Vision 2040, National Development Plan (III), and the Government Manifesto, 2021-2026.

By way of leadership, President Museveni remains unequivocal, in articulating ICT, as an essential pillar for service delivery, private sector growth, and wealth creation.  So huge is its potential that ICT already employs over 1.3 million across the value chain in Uganda.

Thus, through the Ministry of ICT& National Guidance (MoICT&NG), the Government (GoU) espouses a policy framework that guarantees a versatile ICT industry in Uganda. And, through our ICT Sector, and the Digital Transformation Program, GoU continues to invest heavily in ICT infrastructure, around the country. GoU has, in the last 6 years, invested about USD 500 million in ICT infrastructure. GoU will lay an additional 4,000 km of fiber within 5 years, and deliver internet services to more unreached parts of Uganda.  

GoU also continues building ICT incubation hubs, setting up and equipping ICT labs in institutions of learning, and funding ICT innovations. GoU delivers targeted functional ICT skills for business actors, youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Last year, MoICT&NG also supported Ugandan ICT start-ups, including Fin-Techs, to showcase their innovations, and gain international exposure at the Global ICT Expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Currently, MoICT&NG is also promoting Uganda as an innovation and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Hub, to create more wealth and job opportunities, particularly for our youth. Alongside the headway towards reducing the cost of the internet, GoU is promoting domestic manufacturing of ICT equipment like computers and smartphones, which are more affordable.  

To keep up with the fast-paced dynamics in the ICT sphere, GoU continues to harness partnerships that augment our adaptability to emerging trends. Areas include telecommunications, information security, broadcasting, electronic information, Next Generation Networks, broadband roll-out, and convergence networks.

Others are Artificial Intelligence, digital governance, digital economy, cyber-security, and intellectual property aspects in ICT. Of interest, also, is managing Data Centres, BPO, and possibilities from digital services including Fin-Techs.

MoICT&NG is already registering progress around the above and other ICT-related areas through partnerships with the likes of UNDP, Microsoft Corporation, HUAWEI Technologies, Telecom Corporations, Fin-Techs, Academia, and ICT Research Entities, and the Republic of Estonia, among others.  

And, GoU continues to explore more such possibilities, for collaboration. In November 2022, President Museveni led a GoU delegation to Vietnam, to thrash out a broad partnership, with the East-Asia nation, including collaboration in the ICT space.  Part of our haul from the trip includes an understanding to share opportunities in areas, including the above.

We seek to further deepen the uptake and use of ICTs, to drive rapid economic growth in Uganda and Vietnam, and to optimize the opportunities there-from. MoICT&NG is, on behalf of GoU, following through with our counterpart Ministry in Vietnam, to implement the actionable areas, as jointly agreed upon.

ICT is a key driver of GDP growth and socio-economic transformation. In so doing, ICT enables greater efficiency for purposes of E-commerce, E-Government services, automation/ digitization, communication, processing, and sharing information, among others. The Parish Development Model, GoU’s current flagship community/household livelihoods enhancement program, is itself, hosted on an ICT system, which according to feedback, thus far, has eased implementation, documentation, and monitoring, at various levels.

The outlook is inspiring. And, we have a solid case for GoU to continue investing in ICT and harnessing productive partnerships, to grow and further unlock the immense possibilities, there-from.  

Moses Watasa

Commissioner, Communication & Information Dissemination

MINISTRY OF ICT & NATIONAL GUIDANCE

Twitter: @MosesWatasa