By Diana.N.Kintu
Uganda has joined the rest of the world in commemorating Geo-spatial Information Systems (GIS) Day, a global event that celebrates the power of location-based technology in addressing national challenges. This year’s celebrations, led by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), highlighted how spatial data is increasingly shaping decision-making in areas such as environmental conservation, agriculture, public health, disaster response, and urban planning.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Flavia Zabali Musisi of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) emphasised that answering the “where” question is central to solving development problems. She noted that GIS has become essential for planning, monitoring, and managing resources, especially in rapidly growing urban areas.
One of the major innovations showcased was a deforestation tracker developed by Aqua Wood in response to the country’s escalating forest loss. Uganda has lost an estimated 2.4 million hectares of forest over the last 25 years, averaging 90,000 hectares annually. To help counter this trend, Aqua Wood introduced the Aquawood App, which uses advanced satellite imagery to automatically detect changes in forest cover and send real-time alerts. Presented by Ms. Aminah Mayole, the tool offers conservationists and policymakers a powerful way to monitor illegal logging and inform reforestation efforts.
GIS technology is also transforming agriculture. One Acre Fund demonstrated how remote sensing and machine learning help predict crop yields and identify farmers who may face low productivity. Geospatial Data Analyst Ms. Tasia Lydia explained that these tools allow early detection of yield risks, enabling organisations to plan interventions and compensation for vulnerable households. This approach supports food security and creates more stable incomes for farming communities.
In disaster management, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) shared how geo-spatial intelligence is helping save lives. According to URCS representative Joel Kitutu, the organisation uses drones and mapping tools to assess disaster-prone areas and coordinate emergency response. Real-time data helps responders act quickly during floods, landslides, and other emergencies, improving the country’s ability to manage climate-related disasters.
GIS is also boosting economic growth through improved revenue collection. KCCA’s use of GIS coordinates and satellite imagery has helped the authority identify previously unregistered taxable properties. Mrs. Zabali revealed that this contributed to an increase in revenue collection from 17 billion to 64 billion shillings in eight years. The same technology also helped track COVID-19 cases during the pandemic, showing its value in public health management.
Representing the UBOS Executive Director, Ms. Hellen Nviiri highlighted how GIS-enabled digital systems have transformed national data collection. Digital maps now provide more accurate and dynamic data, strengthening evidence-based planning across sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, and environmental management.
This year’s GIS Day underscored the growing consensus that geo-spatial technology is vital for national development. From environment and agriculture to emergency response and economic planning, experts demonstrated that GIS is shaping a more informed, resilient, and sustainable future for Uganda.