Uganda to develop national artificial intelligence policy

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As Uganda prepares to roll out its Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) in July 2025, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has announced the development of the country’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy.

This strategic move signals the government’s ambition to position Uganda as a digitally empowered economy that harnesses emerging technologies for inclusive growth.

Speaking during a two-day digital transformation review retreat at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, on June 17, 2025, Dr Amina Zawedde, the permanent secretary at the ministry, confirmed that the AI policy will be a major priority in the upcoming financial year.

“We are talking about artificial intelligence in the next financial year. As we begin NDP4, we are developing a national AI policy—not only for government but for the entire country,” Dr Zawedde said.

“We want to create an environment where we can all comfortably and confidently utilise artificial intelligence, because it's the future—and the future is now.”

The policy aims to establish a regulatory and enabling framework to support innovation, data governance, cybersecurity, and ethics.

Dr Zawedde noted that the increasing volume of data generated by systems like national IDs and smart agriculture tools demands intelligent, ethical use.

(L-R)Iddi Isabirye Deputy Chairperson Parliamentary Committee on ICT and National guidance,Aminah Zawedde Permanent Secretary Ministry of ICT and Godfrey Kabyanga Minister of State for National Guidance. This was during the Ministry of ICT performance review retreat at Mestile Hotel on June,17,2025.

“The systems we are building are generating enormous amounts of data. We must ensure that this data is put to intelligent use, safely and ethically,” she added.

The policy is expected to guide both public and private sector players in adopting AI to improve service delivery, boost productivity, and fuel digital entrepreneurship. It will also focus on workforce readiness, research investment, and promoting local innovation.

The announcement comes on the heels of significant digital milestones achieved under the current five-year development framework, NDP3 (2020–2025), which ends this June.

These include internet expansion to 53 districts, reduced data costs, and the rollout of critical e-government services such as passport applications, business registration, and digital ID renewals.

“We have trained hundreds of thousands in digital skills. Internet is now more affordable. We’ve completed the ICT National Backbone Infrastructure,” said Dr Zawedde.

The ministry also launched platforms like the Parish Development Model Management Information System and scaled up support for local tech innovators.

“We’ve moved away from importing all our systems. Young Ugandans are building for Uganda—and their innovations are transforming how we work and live,” she said.

At the grassroots level, the sector has improved service monitoring by equipping every parish chairperson with a digital tablet. In parallel, the Ministry continues to invest in cybersecurity and data protection to ensure safe digital spaces for all users.

Dr Zawedde called for an inclusive approach to shaping the AI ecosystem.

“This is not a government-only journey. Everyone must be involved—from the farmer using AI for weather prediction to the startup applying machine learning to logistics,” she said.

“We’re working with universities, innovators, civil society, and development partners.”

Looking ahead, NDP4 will focus on consolidating these gains by expanding digital access to schools and health facilities, strengthening cybersecurity, scaling up innovation hubs, and growing employment in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

“We’re celebrating over 10,000 new BPO jobs already, and we’re not stopping. Digital transformation is intensifying,” Dr Zawedde noted.

ICT state minister Godfrey Kabbyanga, described the review meeting as pivotal in defining Uganda’s next digital chapter.

“This review is not just routine. It marks the end of a five-year journey under NDP3 and sets the tone for what we must achieve under NDP4 starting July 1,” he said.

One of the key highlights has been the implementation of a national BPO policy aimed at curbing youth unemployment.

“The youth don’t need to go abroad for jobs—they can work from Uganda. We’re laying the foundation to make that happen,” Kabbyanga emphasised.

He also confirmed the ongoing expansion of the National Backbone Infrastructure with support from the World Bank and Exim Bank. The target is to extend internet access to all 145 districts and reduce public institution bandwidth costs from UGX 250,000 ($70) per Mbps to just $5 over the next three years.

“We’ve already reduced the cost to sh125,000 ($35). Digital literacy remains a top priority—many still don’t realise that a smartphone is a computer,” he added.