Govt crafts national strategy to harness AI opportunities

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The government is developing a comprehensive strategy to harness opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI), with officials saying the technology could transform key sectors of the economy if adopted responsibly.

Officials at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance say the strategy will focus on strengthening digital infrastructure, building local skills and establishing policies to guide the ethical use of the technology.

Dr Aminah Zawedde, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, said artificial intelligence has the potential to drive innovation, improve service delivery and create new economic opportunities for Ugandans.

“Artificial intelligence is one of the technologies that will define the future of economies across the world,” Zawedde said. “As government, our focus is to ensure that Uganda is prepared to harness its benefits while putting in place safeguards that ensure it is used responsibly.”

Zawedde was speaking during a stakeholder engagement on the AI strategy at Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on March 12, 2026.

She explained that the government is already working on frameworks and policies to guide the adoption of AI in line with the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Uganda has been engaging international partners and technology stakeholders to develop governance structures that promote ethical and inclusive AI systems while protecting citizens’ rights and privacy.

According to the ICT ministry, the country has also undertaken assessments to determine its readiness to deploy artificial intelligence across different sectors.

Ambrose Ruyooka, head of the AI Secretariat at the ministry, said Uganda is laying the groundwork for a national AI ecosystem that supports innovation and research.

“We are developing a national AI strategy that will guide how the country adopts and utilises this technology,” Ruyooka said. “The goal is to ensure that AI contributes to economic growth, job creation and improved public services.”

He noted that government institutions are already exploring the application of AI in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and public administration.

Ruyooka said AI technologies could help farmers analyse weather patterns and soil data to improve productivity, while in healthcare, they can assist doctors in diagnosing diseases and analysing medical data more efficiently.

“We see artificial intelligence as a tool that can improve decision-making and increase efficiency across many sectors,” he said. “However, its adoption must be guided by clear policies and ethical standards.”

Experts say Africa stands to gain significantly from AI if governments invest in digital infrastructure, research and skills development.

Prof. Timothy Waema, an information technology expert from Kenya, said countries across the continent are beginning to integrate artificial intelligence into national development strategies.

“AI offers enormous opportunities for Africa, particularly in agriculture, health and financial services where data-driven technologies can improve productivity and efficiency,” Waema said.

He noted that several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore, have already developed national AI strategies to guide research, innovation and the responsible use of the technology.

“Governments that invest early in artificial intelligence will position themselves competitively in the global digital economy,” he said.

Waema added that African countries must also focus on building human capital by training young people in data science, machine learning and digital technologies.

Back home, Uganda has begun supporting AI research initiatives through universities and innovation hubs.

At institutions such as Makerere University, researchers are already exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to improve healthcare systems, including the early detection of diseases and the analysis of health data.

Officials say such initiatives demonstrate how the technology can help address local challenges when combined with strong research capacity and supportive policies.

Zawedde said the government’s long-term goal is to ensure that Uganda builds a sustainable AI ecosystem that encourages innovation while protecting citizens.

“Our priority is to ensure that artificial intelligence works for the people of Uganda,” she said. “If properly harnessed, it can support economic growth, enhance service delivery and open new opportunities for the next generation.”

As governments around the world race to adopt emerging technologies, policymakers say Uganda must move quickly to develop the skills, infrastructure and governance systems needed to fully benefit from the AI revolution.