The Minister of Information and Communication Technology and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has called on banks in Uganda to embrace modern technology to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery to customers.
Dr Baryomunsi made the remarks while speaking at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, where he was addressing staff of the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) undergoing leadership and patriotism training.
He noted that the rapid advancement of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, has significantly transformed service delivery across sectors and should be fully adopted by financial institutions.
“Technology is no longer an option; it is a necessity. If banks effectively use modern technology, they will be able to serve Ugandans faster, better, and more efficiently,” Dr Baryomunsi said.
The minister explained that digital tools can greatly improve banking services such as money transfers, customer management and internal operations, ultimately strengthening public trust in financial institutions.
“Modern technology can simplify processes like money transactions and customer service, making banking more accessible and reliable for the people we serve,” he added.
However, he cautioned bank staff to remain vigilant, warning that criminals are also exploiting emerging technologies to commit fraud and other cyber-related crimes.
“As we embrace technology, we must also be careful. Criminals are equally using these innovations to exploit systems, so vigilance and strong safeguards are critical,” he warned.
Dr. Baryomunsi further revealed that government is in the process of introducing new laws and modern technological systems aimed at regulating and monitoring content shared on digital platforms. He said the proposal has already been discussed by Cabinet and is awaiting presentation to Parliament.
“We are developing both legal and technological frameworks to filter harmful content on digital platforms. Cabinet has already discussed this, and the next step is Parliament,” he explained.
The minister also assured Ugandans that government is working to make technology more affordable, including smartphones, to enable wider participation in the digital economy.
“Our goal is to ensure that technology is accessible to all Ugandans. We are working towards making smartphones affordable, with prices as low as forty thousand shillings,” he said.
The engagement underscored government’s commitment to leveraging technology as a key driver of improved service delivery and national development.
