ICT Minister Justine Lumumba has said Uganda’s digital transformation journey can no longer be driven by government alone, calling for stronger collaboration between the public sector, private companies, academia, innovators and development partners.
Speaking at the State of Digital Economy (SODE) 2026, Lumumba said the country must move beyond a whole-of-government approach and embrace a whole-of-country strategy where all actors contribute towards building a digital economy.
“Digital transformation is no longer a whole-of-government approach; it must become a whole-of-country approach, bringing together government, the private sector, academia, and all non-state actors,” Lumumba said.
She said while government has the responsibility of setting policy direction and creating an enabling environment, private sector players often move faster in developing solutions and pushing innovation.
“Government cannot transform the country alone. We need the private sector, innovators, and development partners working alongside us to accelerate digital transformation,” she said.
Lumumba noted that collaboration between government and private players creates an opportunity to improve service delivery and develop solutions that respond to the needs of Ugandans.
“Private sector players move faster than government. They challenge us to improve, and together we can deliver better outcomes for Ugandans,” she said.
The minister said Uganda must also raise its ambitions by comparing itself with global leaders rather than countries operating at a similar level of development.
“We should not measure our progress against those at our level; we must benchmark ourselves against the best if we are to grow,” she said.
Lumumba also backed calls for increased affordability of digital devices and internet access, arguing that reducing taxes on entry-level smartphones and connectivity would expand access and create a larger digital market.
“Reducing taxes on digital devices and internet access should be an easy conversation because increasing access grows the number of users and creates economies of scale,” she said.
She described the digital economy as a productive sector that requires deliberate investment, saying technology is no longer only a support tool but a driver of employment, innovation and economic growth.
“The digital economy should be viewed as a productive sector that deserves strategic investment because it creates jobs, solves national challenges, and grows the economy,” Lumumba said.
However, she warned that digital transformation depends on other critical infrastructure, particularly reliable electricity.
“Digital transformation cannot succeed without reliable energy. AI, data centres, and digital infrastructure all depend on a stable power supply,” she said.
As Uganda expands opportunities in the digital space, Lumumba said the country must also balance economic opportunities with protecting national values, especially among young people increasingly engaging with global digital platforms.
“Our challenge is to ensure young people earn from digital platforms while preserving the values that define us as a nation,” she said.
The minister’s remarks come as Uganda intensifies efforts to position the digital economy as a major contributor to growth, with focus shifting from expanding connectivity to ensuring citizens use technology to create businesses, access jobs and participate in global markets.
