Govt to launch new Digital Transformation

The government through the Ministry of Communication and Technology is set to launch the new digital transformation roadmap, citing competitiveness in the global digital economy.

By Pakrwoth Racheal & Boy Fidel Leon

The government through the Ministry of Communication and Technology is set to launch the new digital transformation roadmap, citing competitiveness in the global digital economy.

The ministry officials said that the new Digital Transformation Roadmap, which will be launched on August 17, 2023, will entail among other pillars; skilling, digital services, cybersecurity, innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling environment, and infrastructure.

Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT yesterday told journalists that each of these pillars will play a vital role in paving the way for Uganda’s digital future.

“While our Digital Uganda Vision sets the aspirational goals in alignment with our overarching Vision 2040, this roadmap lays out the concrete steps, the key enablers, and the milestones we aim to achieve over the next five years,” Dr Zawedde said.

The journey into digital migration started in 2006 when the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) suggested to Uganda that the country embraces the transformation that was happening across the globe. This suggestion then could be seen taking shape in 2015 when technological equipment moved from analog to digital especially TV sets and other appliances.

In an effort to catch up with the digital transformation era across the globe, in March this year, the ICT Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi while attending a media roundtable during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, said information was a key pillar of proper governance and development and that Uganda had earmarked $200m and another $150 (about Shs760billion) to foster the arrangement.

Dr Zawedde yesterday said that With the Vice President’s official launch of the Uganda Digital Roadmap, Uganda takes a significant stride towards its digital destiny, setting the stage for a new era of progress, innovation, and prosperity.

Dr Zawedde said, “The progressive move towards equipping the younger generation with essential skills for the digital age, the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Education. This collaboration aims to successfully integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a core subject within the education curriculum. As the Ministry of ICT, we are working closely with the Ministry of Education to support in implementing the curriculum where we now got ICT as one of the subjects supposed to be done.”

Dr. Aminah Zawedde also said that the roadmap’s focus on an enabling environment and infrastructure underscores the government’s commitment to providing the necessary framework for technological advancement. Through investments in digital infrastructure, such as broadband connectivity and e-governance platforms, Uganda aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that the benefits of technology reach every corner of the nation.

“For us to grow digitally we have to have the devices of technology for us to do so and We are embracing modernity as a country but also embracing digitalization,” she said.