Hon. Kabbyanga officially launches 2nd ICT National Summit

The State Minister of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Baluku Godfrey Kabbyanga, on Thursday, officially launched the 2nd ICT National Summit at a press brief held at the Uganda Media Center. Organized by the ICT Association of Uganda (ICTAU) and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the summit will be held from 17-18 July at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa and is positioned as the launchpad for turning ambitious national strategies into a tangible reality.

“This convergence is unique, a key moment to align national priorities with actionable outcomes,” said Ms. Elizabeth Ntege, Chairperson of ICTAU, noting that the summit marks the beginning of their collective journey to operationalize and commercialize Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap. The roadmap, unveiled in August 2023, outlines a comprehensive strategy for building a digitally empowered society. Ntege emphasized the summit’s unique convergence of policy, practice, and innovation.

Hon. Godfrey Kabbyanga, State Minister for National Guidance, called the ICT National Summit “a defining moment in Uganda’s pursuit of a digitally inclusive, innovative and globally competitive economy.” He stressed it is “a platform of action where strategy and ideas turn into national impact.”

Minister Kabbyanga emphasized four (4) pivotal areas that the summit will address to drive national progress through digital transformation. In agriculture, he posed the question of how digital tools can unlock greater productivity. For healthcare, he highlighted the need to enhance systems through precision diagnostics. In education, he urged a focus on preparing youth for the demands of the digital economy. Finally, he challenged stakeholders to explore how Uganda’s BPO sector can be scaled to generate employment, boost exports, and build a resilient economy.

He highlighted existing government efforts, including a dedicated BPO Policy to boost youth employment and scaling ICT integration within initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) for better farm-level decisions. Crucially, Hon. Kabbyanga underscored that the Digital Transformation Roadmap is “not a vision statement. It is an institutional manual,” demanding concrete progress in e-government, skilling, private-sector innovation, and cybersecurity.

A resounding theme across all speakers was the necessity for unified effort. Ntege stressed that the summit embodies “building real sector-wide collaborations from government to startups and academia to corporate leaders.” With over 500 high-level participants expected, including government leaders, CIOs, investors, and innovators, the event is designed as a fertile ground for cross-sector partnerships, with a spotlight on youth and women-led startups.

Hon. Kabbyanga reinforced this, stating, “Government can create the rails, but the trains of progress must come from your ideas, your investment, and your products.” He pointed to the significant contribution of the ICT sector, accounting for 7-8% of GDP since 2017, as evidence of its vital role. He called on all stakeholders —government, private sector, academia, regulators, development partners to actively engage in the summit’s B2B clinics, solution demos, and interactive spaces: “The digital future will not wait for us. We must lead it together.”

Speakers did not shy away from the significant hurdles on the digital transformation path.

Minister Kabbyanga bluntly warned that cybersecurity “presents one of our biggest risks,” a sentiment strongly echoed by Dr. Julius Byaruhanga, Director of Policy and Business Development at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU). Dr. Byaruhanga stressed that “strengthening cybersecurity frameworks” is foundational for building trust and encouraging broader private-sector adoption of digital solutions.

Dr. Byaruhanga urged PSFU members and all businesses and not just ICT firms, to actively participate in summit workshops and demos and learn how to use technology.

The summit promises dynamic engagement through keynote addresses, sector-specific roundtables, and live demos showcasing Ugandan tech solutions in smart agriculture, digital health, and AI-powered education. As Ntege assured, “Whether you are in digital health, looking for smart farming solutions, or concerned about youth employment, there will be something for you.”

The overarching message is one of shared responsibility and urgent action. Ntege’s closing words resonate powerfully: “This future will not arrive by accident—it will be built by all of us, together.” Minister Kabbyanga reinforced this, urging vigorous networking so Ugandans experience digital transformation “in every district.” With the government pledging full political support and a conducive investment environment, the ICT National Summit aims to be the catalyst that ignites ideas, forges essential alliances, and accelerates Uganda’s determined march towards becoming a sustainable digital powerhouse for all its citizens.