Today, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), led by its leader, H.E. President Yoweri Museveni, celebrates its 39th Anniversary — but also, from our perspective, stands at a pivotal moment to reflect on its transformative journey in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. Over nearly five decades, the country has embraced ICT as a cornerstone for development, spurring innovation, improving service delivery, and driving economic growth, to mention but a few.
When the NRM assumed leadership in 1986, Uganda’s ICT infrastructure was rudimentary. Landline telephony was limited to a small segment of the population, and internet access and mobile telephony were non-existent. Recognizing the potential of ICT to transform lives, the government embarked on strategic initiatives to modernize the sector, which is what we see today.
One of the first milestones was the liberalization of the telecommunications industry in the 1990s. This policy attracted private sector players, including MTN and Airtel, on top of the government-owned Uganda Telecom (UTel), which dramatically increased access to mobile telephony, internet access, and smartphone penetration. As of June 2023 (per UCC), the country boasts over 35 million mobile subscriptions, 27.7 million internet subscriptions, and 13.3 million smartphone penetration —thus, a testament to the success of these reforms.
To create an enabling environment, the government established institutions, including the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and the National Information Technology Authority, to mention but a few to drive ICT development.
The government under these institutions has been able to establish key policies, such as the National ICT Policy of 2014, the Data Protection and Privacy Act of 2019, the National Council for Science and Technology Act of 1990, the Digital Transformation Roadmap, Electronics Transactions Act of 2011, Computer Misuse Act of 2011, NITA-U Act 2009, Access to Information Act 2005, etc. which have provided a framework for innovation, investment, and safeguarding digital rights. These measures have positioned Uganda as a regional leader in ICT policy formulation and implementation.
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One of Uganda’s most significant ICT achievements that has happened during the 39 years of the NRM takeover has been the development of the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI). Initiated in 2007, the NBI aims to extend fibre internet connectivity across the country. As of Dec 2024, the NBI covered over 4,387km in its Phase 4, connecting over 50 districts and 1,567 government sites, including MDAs and LGs to the internet. In addition, the price of the internet has reduced from US$205 in FY 2021/22 to US$35 in FY2023/24, and internet penetration has increased from 25% in 2017 to 67% in 2023/24.
At the tail of December 2024, President Museveni launched the fifth phase of the NBI to extend internet connectivity to more districts.
Notably, to further enhance Uganda’s connectivity, through partnerships with the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments, the government launched undersea cable connections. “We can pick internet from Kenya, and Tanzania because that is the access we have to sea cables. We are well connected,” Amos Mpungu; Principle IT Officer at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. These advancements have enabled affordable internet access, fostering digital inclusion and supporting e-commerce, e-governance, and online education.
Promoting e-Government Services
The government’s commitment to leveraging ICT for service delivery is evident in its e-government initiatives. The National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) has been instrumental in implementing digital platforms that enhance efficiency and transparency.
While speaking at the inaugural eGovernment Excellence Awards at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on Thursday, June 27th, 2019, former Prime Minister, Right Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda said the government MDAs have been outstanding in digitizing services and bringing their services online. He noted that the public should be aware of the role ICT plays in transforming their lives —further stating that the NRM government recognizes ICT as one of the key drivers of efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, production processes, and communication.
Rugunda said the government will continue to support the use of e-government to enhance service delivery —which it does today. “The growth of e-government does not only improve service delivery in the pure sense, but it is also an important enabler in the fight against corruption,” he said.
NITA Uganda has been at the forefront of enforcing and pushing for e-service delivery across government entities. The government through NITA Uganda has made an effort to ensure the automation of service delivery for government MDAs which has resulted in the development of information systems to support the provision of e-services to the public.
Key achievements include the e-Citizen Portal, Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS), Mobile Money Tax Payments, Online Business Registration System (OBRS), Electronic Document Management System (EDMS), UGPass, etc. These innovations have improved the quality of services and reduced bureaucracy, bringing government services closer to the people.
The EV industry
The introduction of the Kiira Electric Vehicle in 2011 marked a significant step for Uganda in embracing electric mobility, showcasing local innovation and ambition. This is one achievement that needs to be acknowledged in NRM’s 39 years in power. The establishment of Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) in 2015 further solidified the government’s commitment to local manufacturing and sustainable transport solutions. In 2018, a comprehensive roadmap was approved to support the commercialization of EVs, which included a US$40 million (approx. UGX147.25 billion) seed fund aimed at fostering development in this sector.
By June 2021, KMC began production at its Nakasongola factory, with plans to manufacture around 5,000 electric vehicles annually while prioritizing local component sourcing. The Ugandan government has actively promoted EV adoption through various measures, including tax incentives and infrastructure development. Notably, there are plans to establish 50 charging stations by 2025, alongside awareness campaigns designed to educate the public on the benefits of electric mobility.
A significant milestone occurred in November 2024 with the launch of the E-Bus Xpress, which features a cashless payment system for public transport. This initiative aligns with Uganda’s broader strategy to reduce urban air pollution and enhance the efficiency of public transportation.
Key players like KMC and the newly formed Uganda Electric Mobility Association are instrumental in fostering collaboration among stakeholders to drive innovation and investment within the sector.
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Building digital skills and innovation
Recognizing the importance of human capital, Uganda has invested significantly in building ICT skills. Initiatives like the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) and partnerships with universities and private entities have equipped thousands of Ugandans with digital competencies.
UCC through the Uganda Communications Universal Services Access Fund (UCUSAF) has implemented digital skilling initiatives in select districts within the country specifically targeting women and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The digital skilling initiative resulted from baseline studies conducted in 2019, in which different ICT skills gaps were identified specific to women and small-scale SMEs.
Through UCUSAF, over 3000 women from 20 districts (at least 150 women in each district) have received digital skills in smartphone functionality, internet use, and other basic ICT skills.
Other private entities, including MTN, Airtel, Huawei, and Centenary, among others, with the help of the government, have helped in equipping Ugandans with digital skills.
On the other hand, the establishment of innovation hubs has nurtured a vibrant tech ecosystem. These hubs have supported startups solving local problems with scalable solutions. Furthermore, government programs like the National ICT Innovation Support Programme (NIISP) provide funding and mentorship to innovators, ensuring that homegrown solutions thrive in a competitive global market.
Other achievements in the ICT sector — highlighted by representatives from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance include;
- The e-visa system has been able to boost tourism.
- 90% of the country has internet coverage — which is a combination of fiber, and wireless connections.
- The cost of the Internet has dropped by 50% on mobile devices and fixed Internet to about 28%.
- More than 4,353.87 km of fiber optic cable has been laid across the country —with connections at every border (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, DRC, and South Sudan).
- The Minister of ICT and National Guidance has been advocating for young people to develop solutions for the country’s problems and has also put in place platforms including Intellectual Property (IP) management, to provide innovators with knowledge and the necessary awareness that they can use to secure their IP while creating their innovations.
- Helped innovators showcase their work at international events such as GITEX Africa as well as forge strategic partnerships with industry leaders, technology providers, and international organizations.
- The Ministry has conducted awareness and training programs regionally with various programs being put in place to ensure that citizens fully utilize the ICT services being provided.
- Invested in technical knowledge and infrastructure —acquired two computer emergency response teams to look out for the country’s critical infrastructure.
- Establish a Tier 3 National Data Center and a Recovery site to host all government applications, systems, and data.
- Entered into partnerships with various governments, development partners, and agencies like JICA (Japanese International Cooperation Agency) to facilitate business acceleration programs.
- The ICT Ministry signed an MoU with the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), marking a pivotal moment in the Ministry’s e-governance journey. The MoU outlined a roadmap for joint initiatives between Uganda and Estonia, which encompasses developing ICT architecture and fostering innovative projects, among others.
- The government has invested in 25 passive sites across the country so that telecommunication companies can distribute internet at a minimal cost.
- The Parish Development Management (PDM) information system has been a game changer in terms of traceability, and monitoring compared to many of the initiatives that have gone on in the past.
- Established the UG-Hub, an infrastructure to integrate government systems to enable seamless sharing of data in a rational, secure, efficient, and sustainable manner across the government.
Despite these achievements, Uganda’s ICT sector still faces challenges. To address these, the government’s Vision 2040 places ICT at the center of national development. Plans to extend internet to more districts through the NBI Phase 5 which was launched by the President in December last year, implement 5G technology, promote digital literacy which promises to bridge gaps and accelerate growth, invest more in the EV sector, prototizing STI, etc.
Uganda’s ICT sector has come a long way since 1986, evolving into a critical driver of socioeconomic transformation. As the country celebrates 39 years of NRM’s victory, it is clear that ICT continues to play a central role in shaping Uganda’s future, fostering innovation, and improving livelihoods for all citizens. By building on the achievements of the past and addressing current challenges, Uganda can continue its journey toward becoming a regional ICT powerhouse.
