The government is placing digital transformation at the center of the country’s socio-economic development, and the 2nd edition of the State of the Digital Economy at Next Media Park provided a clear picture of progress, challenges, and opportunities ahead.
Guest of Honor at the 2nd edition of the State of Digital Economy, Hon. Nyombi Tembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), described the digital economy as a “force multiplier” that touches every aspect of life in Uganda.
“Nearly everyone, including those you would call illiterate, has embraced this economy. It amplifies what society does, and you simply cannot avoid it,” he noted.
Under the National Development Plan 4 (2025–2030), ICTs are recognized as critical drivers of innovation, economic competitiveness, and improved service delivery.
The government’s Digital Uganda Vision and accompanying Digital Transformation Roadmap aim to move from strategy to action.
Key to this effort is the Uganda Communication, Universal Service, and Access Fund (UCSAF), which supports rural connectivity, equips ICT labs in schools, promotes digital literacy, and backs research and innovation.
Tembo shared the latest digital adoption figures: 44.3 million active mobile subscriptions, 34.6 million mobile money accounts, and 16.5 million mobile internet subscriptions, representing 75% of Uganda’s adult population.
Smartphone penetration currently sits at 17.6 million devices, highlighting the need for broader access to affordable devices.
To address this, discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Finance to explore reduced taxes on entry-level smartphones, which could significantly expand digital participation.
Connectivity, he stressed, is only one part of the equation. A thriving digital economy must be inclusive, secure, and trusted.
UCC operates the National Computer Emergency Response Team, enforces online standards, runs digital literacy campaigns, and promotes responsible content to safeguard citizens and institutions.
“A digital economy without trust is fragile. Fraud, cybercrime, and harmful content threaten the very ecosystem we are building,” Tembo said.
The private sector, Tembo added, has been instrumental in expanding access. With 41 million active mobile numbers, private operators have achieved in 25 years what the government could not in a century.
UCC now focuses on facilitation over enforcement, allocating spectrum and numbering resources to encourage connectivity across the country, not just revenue maximization.
Tembo also highlighted the full ecosystem of the digital economy, from connectivity and devices to content creation, skilling, and literacy.
Investments in rural ICT centers, e-learning facilities, and consumer help desks ensure Ugandans across the country can participate in, benefit from, and contribute to the digital revolution.
Concluding his address, Tembo called for collaboration between regulators, private sector innovators, and creators.
“Uganda’s youthful population, growing internet penetration, and vibrant entrepreneurship present immense opportunities, but only if digital benefits are shared equitably.
Solve these ecosystem challenges, and the digital economy becomes a force multiplier, driving our strategy to grow Uganda’s economy tenfold,” he said.
