MTN, Gov’t map out next steps in Uganda’s digital push
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said the roadmap is designed to help Uganda take advantage of new technologies, boost competitiveness, and improve people’s lives.
Key government and private sector players who participated in the event. (Photos by Ali Twaha)
Ali Twaha
Journalist @New Vision
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Telecom firm MTN and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance met in Kampala on Thursday for a high-level round table aimed at pushing forward the country’s digital transformation plans.
The meeting, held at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, brought together senior government officials, tech leaders, and MTN executives to discuss how to speed up work on the National Digital Transformation Roadmap, which runs through 2028.
The session focused on creating a joint work plan that includes quick-win projects and frameworks to improve digital services across government agencies.
MTN CEO Sylvia Mulinge said partnerships between government and private players are essential to making digital progress both inclusive and practical.
Ambrose Ruyooka, a commissioner in the Ministry of ICT, said Uganda already has the infrastructure needed to support the roadmap’s rollout.
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said the roadmap is designed to help Uganda take advantage of new technologies, boost competitiveness, and improve people’s lives.
“The road map is about pulling together our scarce resources based on cohesion across both the public and private sectors,” she said.
ICT Minister Chris Baryomunsi said the roadmap builds on the broader Digital Uganda Vision and ties into the government’s current development plan.
“The Digital Transformation Roadmap focuses on what we must do as a country to achieve operational momentum and translate policy into action,” he said.
MTN CEO Sylvia Mulinge said they are seeking to link the roadmap to MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which aims to position the country as a leader in digital solutions across Africa.
Mulinge said partnerships between government and private players are essential to making digital progress both inclusive and practical.
“We believe digital transformation must be inclusive, practical, and locally relevant. Through this Round Table, we are deepening our partnership with government to co-create sustainable solutions that improve lives and enable Uganda’s economic development,” she said.
At the event, MTN showcased its tech offerings ranging from cloud services and Internet of Things solutions to e-government platforms and secure networks designed to improve public service delivery.
MTN momo CEO Richard Yego.
“These are tools that can add value now, not years from now,” Ibrahim Senyonga, head MTN Enterprise Business Unit, said.
“We want to build these systems with government, step by step, around what citizens need most.”
Uganda’s ICT sector has grown by nearly 15% on average and now makes up about 9% of the country’s GDP, according to the roadmap. And international studies continue to link internet access with economic growth.
Research from the International Telecommunications Union found that a 10% rise in broadband use can raise GDP by 1.4%.