As part of its efforts to address deep-rooted inefficiencies in public service delivery through digital systems, Uganda has announced that it will host the 4th Digital Government Africa Summit from October 6 to 8, 2026. This summit is expected to position Kampala as a primary center for technology and innovation across Africa.
Uganda’s Minister for Information Communications Technology (ICT) and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, stated in a briefing regarding the summit that the meeting will bring together governments, technology firms, and development partners from across the continent. The primary focus of the summit is to collectively tackle structural weaknesses within digital governance.
Minister Baryomunsi noted that delays in government service delivery, a lack of integrated systems, and limited accessibility indicate an urgent need for reform. The summit will primarily deliberate on key issues, including Digital Identity, providing reliable identification so citizens can easily access services; Cybersecurity and Data Protection, focusing on strategies to protect government and citizen data from attacks; Artificial Intelligence (AI), utilizing technology in government decision-making and service delivery; and Digital Payment Systems, helping to ensure transparency and reduce corruption through electronic payments. “These are the foundations of modern public administration. These technologies determine how efficiently a citizen can obtain a birth certificate, renew a business license, or access social services,” the Minister explained.
The Executive Director of the National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U), Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, further noted that Uganda’s selection to host this grand summit is a significant recognition of the country’s digital progress. He pointed out that Uganda earned a score of 0.79 on the global GovTech Maturity Index, placing it among countries with “very high maturity.”
This success was achieved through the government’s high investment in digital infrastructure; to date, over 4,300 kilometers of national fiber optic infrastructure have been laid, and platforms such as UGHub for data integration and UGPass for digital identity verification have been implemented. “Our focus has shifted from merely connecting government institutions to delivering services that bring meaningful change to citizens’ lives,” Dr. Mugasa stated.
Beyond policymakers, the summit is expected to attract numerous technology investors and foreign companies to Kampala. This will not only create new market opportunities for Uganda’s tech sector but also provide an excellent opportunity for the country to showcase the digital systems it has developed to other African nations. With hundreds of representatives participating, it is expected that Africans will exchange experiences and find practical solutions, particularly in ways to build public trust in digital platforms.
