Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has unveiled a Digital Transformation Roadmap (2023/24-2027/28),a five year plan to boost Uganda’s digital economy by enhancing infrastructure, promoting e-services . fostering innovation , skilling citizens, and stregthening cybersecurity .
The Digital Transformation also aims to broaden connectivity and online service access by 2040 which aligns with the national Digital Uganda Vision.
According to the Ministry of ICT Permanent Secretary , Dr. Aminah Zawedde , the roadmap has been developed with the active participation of all key stakeholders and supported by development partners who included UNDP and GIZ.
Dr. Zawedde explained that the draft roadmap serves as a blueprint to implement policies, improve public service delivery, and drive socio-economic growth through technology.
“The hallmark of Digital Transformation is the integration of ICT into our ways of life. Over the years, we have seen the positive contributions that we have accrued as a country by adopting ICT as an enabler for service delivery and business. Digital Transformation breaks the traditional barriers of time and distance that were hindering access to services, information and growth of the digital economy,” She said .
ICT has consistently been earmarked at national development planning level as a priority sector for social economic development. Global ICT related indices and national performance shows where Uganda has performed well and the challenges the country still faces .
Dr. Zawedde said that the Digital Uganda Vision (DUV) has since identified five pillars and commitments in order to address the identified challenges. “ These aspirations are aligned to Uganda’s overall Vision 2040. Therefore, the Digital Transformation Roadmap addresses how we gain operational momentum to attain these aspirations as spelt out in the DUV. The Roadmap is the rallying point for optimizing our scarce resources based on cohesion across both public and private sector,” she added .
On behalf of the ICT Ministry , Dr. Zawedde thanked sister Ministry of Education and Sports, Development Partners, and Uganda’s thriving ICT community- noting that the roadmap’s strategic vision for Uganda’s digital transformation was shaped by their substantial contributions, insights, and participation.
She said that the UNDP Country Office- Uganda’s consistent assistance has greatly helped to strengthen the country ‘s digital transformation.
Dr. Zawedde also thanked Centenary Technology Services and the ministry’s staff for their expertise and commitment which led to the creation of Uganda’s first Digital Transformation Roadmap.
