Uganda has embarked on a decisive path toward a fully digital economy with the launch of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance’s Five-Year Strategic Plan (FY 2025/26 – FY 2029/30).
Unveiled at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Kampala, the strategy is a blueprint for scaling the adoption and usage of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to propel the nation’s socio-economic transformation.
The comprehensive plan focuses on leveraging digitalisation as the key enabler for efficient service delivery, economic growth, and improved transparency across all sectors of the Ugandan economy.
Digitalisation as Cornerstone of a Modern State
Officiating the launch, Hon. Wilson Muruli Mukasa, the Minister for Public Service, underscored the foundational role of technology in good governance. He praised the Ministry’s initiative, stating that “Efficient and digital-driven service delivery is the cornerstone of a modern public sector, one that truly serves citizens with transparency, speed, and accountability.”
This sentiment positions the ICT Ministry’s plan not just as a sectoral goal, but as a critical national strategy for public sector reform and enhanced citizen engagement.
In attendance were key government figures, including Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde, and Head of Public Service Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, signifying the whole-of-government commitment to this digital agenda.
Five Pillars for a Digital Uganda
The new Strategic Plan is anchored on five key focus areas designed to create a robust and inclusive digital ecosystem:
Streamlining ICT Infrastructure Planning and Deployment
This pillar is fundamental, focusing on expanding the National Backbone Infrastructure and ensuring universal, high-speed broadband coverage across the entire country.
Minister Dr. Baryomunsi highlighted this, envisioning “improved broadband coverage” as the base for all other digital ambitions.
Enhancing the Digitalisation of Government Services
This involves automating government processes to provide services that are faster, more transparent, and accessible to the public. It moves away from manual processes to secure, digital platforms.
Increasing the Uptake of Local ICT Solutions
A major focus is shifting the economy from being merely a consumer of foreign technology to a producer and exporter of indigenous digital solutions. The plan targets “increased commercialisation of local ICT solutions,” driving innovation from Uganda’s National ICT Innovation Hub and local tech ecosystem.
Strengthening Institutional Coordination and Policy Enforcement
The success of digital transformation relies on unified action. This area aims to ensure that policies, laws, and regulatory frameworks are harmonised and effectively enforced across all government entities to maximise the impact of digital investments.
Promoting Public Awareness on National Development Initiatives
This ensures that the benefits of the digital transformation are not confined to urban centers, but are understood and utilised by all citizens, fostering digital literacy and adoption, which is crucial for bridging the digital divide.
Transforming the Economy through Digitalisation
According to Hon. Dr. Baryomunsi, the Strategic Plan is a vehicle for broader economic transformation. He emphasised that the culmination of these efforts is “all geared toward transforming Uganda’s economy through digitalisation.”
The plan, he noted, represents a systematic, five-year commitment to turning the vision of a Digital Uganda into reality.
By prioritising infrastructure, local innovation, and citizen-centric service delivery, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance is setting the stage for a knowledge-driven economy and paving the way for Uganda to become a competitive player in the global digital landscape.
This ambitious strategy reflects the government’s belief that technology is the most powerful tool for achieving the nation’s long-term development goals.