Determined to harness the full potential of digital, Uganda intends to do everything possible to strengthen the implementation of policies and laws conducive to accelerating the digital revolution in Uganda. This is the whole meaning of the roadmap that has just been released by the authorities. The document will provide an overall implementation framework for a well-connected Uganda that takes advantage of the opportunities offered by different technologies.
The primary objective of the government is to democratize access to digital services, guaranteeing their accessibility to all citizens, regardless of their social position.
Connect 90% of Ugandan households to the internet by 2040
This is how the country launched a comprehensive digital transformation plan supported by UNDP. The initiative, unveiled on August 17, focuses on five key pillars: skills development, digital services, cybersecurity, innovation and entrepreneurship, and the necessary enabling environment and infrastructure. The government aims to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their social status, have access to digital services and to equip public service employees with the skills needed to deliver digital services effectively. The plan also aims to connect 90% of Ugandan households to the internet by 2040 while advancing the adoption of government services online.
Legal Challenges
However, legal challenges persist regarding the country's digital identity system, which is being challenged for its potential violation of citizens' rights. In addition, the Ugandan government is moving forward with constitutional and electoral reforms, including possibly integrating biometrics into the 2026 general election process.
The potential of digitization to improve governance requires parallel efforts to ensure accountability, which means addressing legal and rights concerns surrounding the digital identity system will be imperative to regaining public trust and ensuring the long-term success of the strategy. Moreover, while aiming for universal access to digital service, the challenges of exclusion, especially among marginalized groups, will be key to maximizing the benefits of technological developments.
Digital Vision of Uganda
Uganda's digital transformation roadmap is anchored in Uganda's Vision 2040, conceptualized to strengthen the fundamentals of the economy by harnessing the many opportunities across the country, including opportunities in the IT sector. information and communications (ICT). Uganda's current National Development Plan (NDP III) has a strong focus on increasing investment in ICT, one of the productive sectors capable of improving livelihoods, generating employment and producing goods intended for export and import substitution. To take the ICT sector further, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has developed Uganda's Digital Vision, which outlines commitments to accelerate digital transformation and support all sectors of the economy.
The Digital Transformation Roadmap builds on the commitments made under Uganda's Digital Vision by focusing on the imperatives to achieve operational momentum and make great strides that translate from paper to paper. action. The UNDP Uganda Accelerator Lab team is confident that the implementation of this roadmap will establish a solid foundation over the next five years on which to accelerate digital transformation for both the public and private sectors.
