Uganda to host Continental Digital Governance Summit in October

KAMPALA - Uganda is set to host the 2026 edition of the Digital Government Africa Summit, a continental platform focused on advancing digital transformation in public service delivery.

The event is expected to convene policymakers, technology leaders, and development partners to exchange ideas and strategies aimed at strengthening digital governance.

The summit, the continent’s leading forum for advancing digital transformation in public administration, will take place on October 6-8 in Kampala.

It is themed “Accelerating Africa’s Digital Transformation of Government", reflecting a shared continental priority, strengthening how governments deliver services, manage data, improve transparency, and drive inclusive economic growth through technology.

“Digital transformation is no longer a future ambition. It is central to how governments operate today," said ICT and national guidance minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi while announcing the event at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Tuesday.

"It [digital transformation] affects how citizens access services such as identification, healthcare, taxation, business registration, and social protection."

Baryomunsi emphasised that across Africa, governments are increasingly investing in digital identity systems, e-government platforms, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and digital payments as the backbone of modern governance.

He said Uganda’s selection as host country is a recognition of the progress made in building a digitally enabled public sector, noting that ICT has been placed at the centre of national development priorities.

He added that hosting the summit presents Uganda with a strategic opportunity to showcase its achievements while also learning from other countries.

“Uganda is not just hosting this event as a venue. We are hosting it as an active partner in Africa’s digital future."

Mugasa emphasised that Uganda’s digital strategy is now focused beyond connectivity, shifting toward delivering real-life impact for citizens through efficient, accessible, and inclusive services. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)

Digital infrastructure growth

In his remarks, National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) executive director Hatwib Mugasa highlighted Uganda’s growing reputation as an emerging digital hub on the continent, pointing to improved global ICT performance indicators.

He revealed that Uganda’s GovTech Maturity Index now stands at 0.79, placing the country in the “Very High Maturity” category, while its E-Government Development Index score has improved to 0.45, above the African average of 0.42.

Uganda’s Network Readiness Index has also risen to 34.29, reflecting strengthened digital infrastructure and readiness for innovation-driven governance.

“These achievements demonstrate that Uganda is emerging as a credible digital player in Africa,” said Mugasa.

He further outlined key milestones by NITA-U in building the country’s digital foundation, including the expansion of the National Backbone Infrastructure to 4,387 kilometres, enabling broader government and community connectivity.

He also highlighted the deployment of UGHub, a national data integration platform that enables secure real-time data sharing across government institutions, and UGPass, a digital identity and electronic signature system that has gained international recognition.

Mugasa emphasised that Uganda’s digital strategy is now focused beyond connectivity, shifting toward delivering real-life impact for citizens through efficient, accessible, and inclusive services.

“We are moving from simply connecting systems to empowering citizens through digital solutions. Whether in urban centres or rural communities, every Ugandan should experience faster and more reliable public services,” he said.

He added that platforms such as UGPass and UGHub are already transforming how citizens interact with government, reducing delays and improving service delivery efficiency.