The recently released United Nations Uganda Annual Results Report 2024 has recognized the Digital Transformation Roadmap, curated by Centenary Technology Services (Cente-Tech) in partnership with the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as a significant achievement in Uganda’s digital journey.
According to the report, the roadmap “facilitated a US$80.5 million budget increase for FY2024/25, earmarked for expanding internet connectivity and digital infrastructure”, while prioritizing service delivery, transparency, accountability, and inclusive digital economies, particularly in rural and underserved communities
This milestone affirms Uganda’s commitment to inclusive digital transformation and positions Cente-Tech as a critical national enabler driving the country’s transition to a modern, data-driven economy.
“Digital transformation is not about technology alone; it’s about people and purpose,” Dr. Grace Ssekakubo, Chief Executive Officer at Cente-Tech, said in a press statement. “Through Cente-Tech, we’re helping Uganda build the digital foundations that connect every community, from the farmer to the entrepreneur.”
Cente-Tech’s leadership extends beyond policy formulation. The company has provided technology infrastructure and enterprise solutions that underpin the growth of Centenary Bank, now Uganda’s largest commercial microfinance bank. Through Cente-Tech’s digital support, the bank has expanded to serve over 3 million customers, managing an asset base exceeding UGX6.3 trillion, with 82 branches, 209 ATMs, and over 8,000 CenteAgents spread across Uganda, thereby transforming access to financial services for millions of Ugandans.
“We were deliberate about designing a roadmap that is both scalable and sovereign,” remarked Peter Kahiigi, Chief Technology Officer at Cente-Tech. “Uganda must own its data, secure its systems, and nurture local innovators; that’s how you future-proof a digital economy.“
The Digital Transformation Roadmap lays the foundation for this vision; strengthening digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, and ensuring that no one is left behind as Uganda advances toward the National Development Plan IV and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) integration.
See also: ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, applauds Uganda’s digital transformation roadmap
Steven Kirenga, General Manager – Product & Business Development and Customer Experience at Cente-Tech, said, “Connectivity goes beyond access; it’s about inclusion. Every kilometer of fiber and every youth trained extends the nation’s capacity to innovate and compete globally.”
Studies consistently link digital connectivity with sustainable economic development. A World Bank study (2021) on Digital Economy for Africa found that a 10% increase in broadband penetration can raise GDP by up to 1.4% in developing economies.
In Uganda, such expansion enables entrepreneurship, facilitates e-governance, and accelerates financial inclusion; all key catalysts for inclusive growth and job creation. The UN report affirms that Uganda’s roadmap “laid the groundwork for inclusive digital economies and bridged the digital divide by embedding transparency and accountability in public administration.”
See also: Government reports 50% of its services are now online and targets 95% by 2040
