The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Amina Zawedde, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to accelerating Uganda’s digital transformation agenda, outlining key milestones and future priorities during the ministry’s official handover ceremony.
Addressing incoming minister Alioni Yorke Odrea and ministry staff, Zawedde emphasized the ministry’s central role in coordinating government communication and driving national digital development.
“Honourable Alioni Yorke Odrea, we look forward to working closely with you as we continue implementing government priorities and serving the people of Uganda,” she said.
Zawedde noted that the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance plays a strategic role in ensuring coordinated government communication, promoting national values, and leading the implementation of Uganda’s digital transformation programmes.
She highlighted the ongoing implementation of the Digital Transformation Roadmap, launched in August 2023, as a key framework guiding reforms in the sector.
The roadmap focuses on expanding digital infrastructure, improving public service delivery, strengthening cybersecurity systems, promoting innovation, and building digital skills to create employment opportunities.
“The ministry is currently implementing the Digital Transformation Roadmap… and through this, we remain focused on expanding infrastructure, improving services, and creating opportunities for Ugandans,” she said.
Zawedde further emphasized the ICT sector’s contribution to government flagship initiatives such as the Parish Development Model and the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, particularly in agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, and science and technology.
She also provided an update on Uganda’s digital connectivity landscape, noting significant growth in access and usage across the country.
She revealed that Uganda now has more than 47 million active mobile subscribers, over 18 million internet users, and more than 20 million smartphones connected to mobile networks.
“These numbers demonstrate that Uganda already has a substantial digitally connected population,” she said, adding that more effort is still required to close connectivity gaps and ensure inclusive access to digital services.
Zawedde noted that government services are increasingly being delivered through digital platforms, highlighting the Parish Development Management Information System (PDMIS) as a key innovation supporting implementation of the Parish Development Model across all 10,594 parishes nationwide.
She also pointed to increased investment in digital skills development, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This includes support through institutions such as the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology and the National ICT Innovation Hub.
Further, she highlighted the establishment of regional innovation and incubation centres at Muni University, Soroti University, Kabale University, Mountains of the Moon University, and Busitema University, with additional centres planned to strengthen innovation ecosystems across the country.
“The ministry continues to work closely with departments, agencies, and local governments to advance Uganda’s digital transformation agenda,” she said.