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Government urges UICT to lead digital skills revolution
“Uganda stands at a defining moment in its digital transformation journey. UICT has an increasingly critical responsibility to develop the human capital, innovation ecosystem and digital capabilities required to support sustainable national development,” said Munene.
The Chairperson of the UICT Governing Council, Dr Dean Munene (left), exchanges documents with UICT Principal Dr Frederick Kitoogo (centre) during the launch of the institute’s Strategic Plan for 2025/26–2029/30, alongside the Client Charter and Service Delivery Standards, on Friday.
By: John Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
The Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) has unveiled its Strategic Plan for 2025/26–2029/30, alongside a new Client Charter and Service Delivery Standards.
This comes as government pushes the institute to play a central role in developing digital skills, promoting innovation, and strengthening applied research in Uganda’s fast-growing digital economy.
The launch was held on Friday at the institution’s Nakawa premises under the theme 'Transforming ICT Excellence: Building a Digitally Skilled and Innovative Workforce'.
It reflects a renewed emphasis on institutional excellence, accountability, and alignment with Uganda’s national development agenda.
The chairperson of the UICT Governing Council, Dr Dean Munene, said the new strategic frameworks mark an important transition towards performance-driven service delivery and broader institutional transformation.
According to him, the Strategic Plan positions UICT as a national and regional centre of excellence in ICT skills development, applied research, consultancy and innovation, fully aligned with Vision 2040, the National Development Plan IV and the Digital Transformation Roadmap.
“Uganda stands at a defining moment in its digital transformation journey. UICT has an increasingly critical responsibility to develop the human capital, innovation ecosystem and digital capabilities required to support sustainable national development,” said Munene.
He outlined three strategic priorities as strengthening inclusive digital skilling in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, Internet of Things and data analytics; advancing applied research and innovation through incubation and commercialisation of ideas; and enhancing institutional governance, digital systems and accountability mechanisms.
Munene emphasised that the Client Service Charter and Service Delivery Standards would operationalise these commitments by defining measurable benchmarks for quality, efficiency and accountability.
He said the Client Charter is a formal commitment to service excellence, transparency and public accountability, reinforcing UICT’s role as a primary hub for digital skilling and socio-economic transformation under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and with oversight from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
According to him, the Strategic Plan positions UICT as a national and regional centre of excellence in ICT skills development, applied research, consultancy and innovation, fully aligned with Vision 2040, the National Development Plan IV and the Digital Transformation Roadmap.
“Uganda stands at a defining moment in its digital transformation journey. UICT has an increasingly critical responsibility to develop the human capital, innovation ecosystem and digital capabilities required to support sustainable national development,” said Munene.
He outlined three strategic priorities as strengthening inclusive digital skilling in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, Internet of Things and data analytics; advancing applied research and innovation through incubation and commercialisation of ideas; and enhancing institutional governance, digital systems and accountability mechanisms.
Munene emphasised that the Client Service Charter and Service Delivery Standards would operationalise these commitments by defining measurable benchmarks for quality, efficiency and accountability.
He said the Client Charter is a formal commitment to service excellence, transparency and public accountability, reinforcing UICT’s role as a primary hub for digital skilling and socio-economic transformation under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and with oversight from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
The charter outlines three core objectives: transparency in communicating the range, cost and quality of services; accountability through strict performance benchmarks; and continuous improvement based on stakeholder feedback.
It prioritises inclusive digital skilling and consultancy, applied research and innovation, and institutional excellence and governance, including compliance with regulatory standards and optimisation of digital systems.
The charter sets a target of at least 40 percent participation of women and youth in industry-linked innovation programmes, underscoring a commitment to inclusivity in Uganda’s digital transformation agenda.
It also introduces clear service delivery commitments, including timeliness and professionalism in admissions and academic services, equitable access to training opportunities, and structured feedback and complaint-handling mechanisms with defined response timelines.
In a speech read on her behalf by Amos Mpungu, a principal ICT officer at the ministry, permanent secretary Dr. Amina Zawedde said UICT must evolve beyond traditional academic training into a practical engine for national development.
She said ICT remains central to Uganda’s development strategy under NDP4, which prioritises agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, and science, technology and innovation.
“UICT must position itself as a practical delivery institution for digital skills, applied research, innovation and ICT consultancy. The skills produced here must support every sector of the economy,” she said.
The ministry urged the institute to align its programmes with the national Digital Transformation Roadmap and to expand training in cybersecurity, e-government services, digital literacy and emerging technologies.
It also called on UICT to support the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) agenda by producing job-ready graduates for digital services, call centres and software support roles.
“UICT should not wait to be invited into the future. UICT must help build that future,” said the ministry.
UICT Principal Dr. Fredrick E. Kitoogo said the launch represents a major milestone in the institute’s transformation journey, stressing that success will be measured by execution and impact rather than planning.
“Success will not be measured by the quality of these documents, but by the quality of execution and the positive impact we create for Uganda."
Kitoogo said the Strategic Plan was developed through extensive consultations with government agencies, industry stakeholders, academia and development partners, ensuring alignment with national priorities.
Dr Irene Nakiyimba, Deputy Principal of UICT; Dr Frederick Kitoogo, Principal of UICT; Dr Dean Munene, Chairperson of the UICT Governing Council; and an official from the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) during during the launch of the institute’s Strategic Plan for 2025/26–2029/30, alongside the Client Charter and Service Delivery Standards, on Friday.
It prioritises inclusive digital skilling and consultancy, applied research and innovation, and institutional excellence and governance, including compliance with regulatory standards and optimisation of digital systems.
The charter sets a target of at least 40 percent participation of women and youth in industry-linked innovation programmes, underscoring a commitment to inclusivity in Uganda’s digital transformation agenda.
It also introduces clear service delivery commitments, including timeliness and professionalism in admissions and academic services, equitable access to training opportunities, and structured feedback and complaint-handling mechanisms with defined response timelines.
In a speech read on her behalf by Amos Mpungu, a principal ICT officer at the ministry, permanent secretary Dr. Amina Zawedde said UICT must evolve beyond traditional academic training into a practical engine for national development.
She said ICT remains central to Uganda’s development strategy under NDP4, which prioritises agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, and science, technology and innovation.
“UICT must position itself as a practical delivery institution for digital skills, applied research, innovation and ICT consultancy. The skills produced here must support every sector of the economy,” she said.
The ministry urged the institute to align its programmes with the national Digital Transformation Roadmap and to expand training in cybersecurity, e-government services, digital literacy and emerging technologies.
It also called on UICT to support the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) agenda by producing job-ready graduates for digital services, call centres and software support roles.
“UICT should not wait to be invited into the future. UICT must help build that future,” said the ministry.
UICT Principal Dr. Fredrick E. Kitoogo said the launch represents a major milestone in the institute’s transformation journey, stressing that success will be measured by execution and impact rather than planning.
“Success will not be measured by the quality of these documents, but by the quality of execution and the positive impact we create for Uganda."
Kitoogo said the Strategic Plan was developed through extensive consultations with government agencies, industry stakeholders, academia and development partners, ensuring alignment with national priorities.