Minister Kabanda hails tech role in driving Kampala’s digital transformation

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Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minister, Minsa Kabanda, has applauded CWG Uganda for its pivotal role in shaping the capital’s digital transformation over the past 15 years.

Speaking at the company’s 15th anniversary celebrations held at Kampala Serena Hotel on September 20, 2025, Kabanda said CWG had demonstrated rare resilience in a sector where 15 years is like a century in ordinary time.

Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minister, Minsa Kabanda, arriving for CWG's 15th anniversary celebrations that were held at Kampala Serena Hotel on September 20, 2025. (Photo by John Musenze)

“The technology world is truly competitive, and 15 years in this industry is like a century in ordinary time,” she observed. “The pace of change is rapid, but CWG has not only kept up—it has been at the forefront, driving transformation across our city and nation.”

Kabanda commended CWG for choosing to invest in people when the company was still new and relatively unknown in Uganda’s crowded ICT market. Through its academy and international partnerships, particularly with Macquarie University, CWG began training and equipping young Ugandans with digital skills.

“This journey has been about more than computers,” she said. “It has been about giving our youth the tools to create, to innovate, and to build a better future for themselves and for our country.”

The minister highlighted CWG’s contribution to major national projects such as the Uganda Bureau of Statistics’ 2024 Household Census, IT support for the Electoral Commission, and the rollout of the National Identification and Registration Authority’s systems.

“These interventions have modernised our services and improved efficiency,” Kabanda remarked. “You have helped us move from dusty books to digital databases, from long queues to online services. This is making Kampala not only modern and efficient, but also liveable and vibrant.”

Peter Tumusiime, CWG Uganda’s country manager, speaking during the company’s 15th anniversary celebrations held at Kampala Serena Hotel on September 20, 2025. (Photo by John Musenze)

She added that CWG’s work directly supports Kampala’s Smart City Agenda, which seeks to ensure government transparency, strengthen competitiveness, and create a more connected citizenry.

Kabanda further emphasised the importance of extending digital solutions to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kampala, which she described as the backbone of Uganda’s economy.

“This is particularly important in Kampala,” she said. “Our city is the engine of Uganda, and by supporting our SMEs with digital tools, CWG is enabling them to grow, create jobs and contribute to national prosperity.”

She also pointed to CWG’s recently launched FinTech arm, Fifth Lab, which develops homegrown platforms tailored to Uganda’s unique needs. With ambitions to create an indigenous IP address and eventually list on the stock exchange, CWG is positioning itself for even greater national impact.

Peter Tumusiime, CWG Uganda’s country manager, said the company’s success has been a long but rewarding journey. When he joined in 2012 as a salesperson, CWG was still struggling to establish itself among larger and more experienced ICT firms.

“It felt like the struggle of a fresh university graduate—full of ambition but short on the experience needed to win trust,” he recalls.

The turning point came when CWG invested in its academy to train Ugandans. With added support from its head office and global partnerships, the company slowly built credibility. By 2016, Peter had risen to country manager, steering CWG into a new phase of growth.

CWG is now recognised as a leading ICT enterprise solutions provider, supporting banks, telecoms, government institutions and SMEs. Its work spans data centres, hardware, software and enterprise solutions, delivered by a workforce largely built through its own training programmes.

Despite the progress, Peter noted that the next stage of Uganda’s digital economy requires stronger government support. He pointed to restrictive regulations that limit access to global cloud services such as Amazon and Microsoft, as well as taxation policies that discourage software innovation.

Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minister, Minsa Kabanda, cutting cake with the staff of CWG Uganda. (Photo by John Musenze)

“Uganda doesn’t manufacture its own software,” he explained. “A better tax system would encourage local innovation and reduce dependence on imports, just as countries like Nigeria have begun to do. What we need are reforms, innovation hubs, proper funding, and an enabling environment.”

Kabanda assured the company of the government’s commitment to building such partnerships, noting that CWG’s efforts align with the Vision 2040 Master Plan and the NRM manifesto’s emphasis on digital inclusion.

“Given the strategic direction of our country under the visionary leadership of our president, we look forward to future collaborations that foster technology inclusion,” she said. “With partners like CWG, I am confident we shall achieve this vision.”