By Diana N. Kintu
Government Agencies Urged to Strengthen Coordination at 5th HOGA Meeting
The 5th Heads of Government Agencies (HOGA) meeting convened today, bringing together chief executives and senior leaders from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, align strategic priorities, and improve the efficiency of public service delivery. The quarterly forum serves as a key platform for advancing whole-of-government coordination as Uganda implements its development agenda.
The meeting was hosted by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minister, underscoring the government’s commitment to coordinated service delivery, particularly as the country enters the implementation phase of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV). Officials noted that effective collaboration among MDAs is critical to ensuring that national priorities translate into tangible outcomes for citizens.
In her keynote address, the host emphasised that NDP IV places strong focus on productivity and digital transformation, positioning the communications sector as the backbone of Uganda’s digital economy. She noted that reliable and inclusive communications infrastructure is central to unlocking efficiency across all sectors of the economy and enabling Government to deliver services in a faster, more transparent, and citizen-centred manner.
Highlighting progress within the sector, she reported that Uganda currently has approximately 44.3 million mobile subscriptions and 16.5 million internet users. These figures, she said, demonstrate the rapid expansion of digital connectivity and provide a strong foundation for the growth of e-government services, digital trade, and innovation-led economic development.
The address also emphasised the Government’s commitment to inclusive digital transformation under the principle of leaving no one behind. Through universal access programmes, 63 telecommunications sites have been established in underserved and hard-to-reach areas to improve network coverage and connectivity. In addition, more than 520 ICT laboratories have been set up in public schools across the country, aimed at equipping learners with essential digital skills and supporting the integration of technology into education.
Another key initiative highlighted was the Golden Posts programme, which is designed to enhance transparency and improve access to public information. Under the initiative, new digital tools are being rolled out to provide over 200 daily updates on Government services, programmes, and opportunities. The system is intended to ensure that all Ugandans, including those without smartphones or access to advanced digital platforms, can receive timely and reliable information.
The keynote address stressed that communications and digital technologies are not stand-alone sectors but enablers that cut across health, agriculture, trade, education, and public administration. Heads of Government Agencies were urged to deliberately integrate digital solutions into their planning, budgeting, and service delivery models to build a capable and coordinated state that is responsive to citizens’ needs.
Participants were reminded that achieving the objectives of NDP IV will require MDAs to move away from siloed operations and instead adopt a collaborative approach that leverages shared systems, data, and platforms. Digital transformation, the speaker noted, must be accompanied by institutional reforms, skills development, and a culture of accountability to deliver lasting impact.
Special recognition was accorded to Madam Jane K. Mwesiga, Deputy Head of the Public Service, for her proactive leadership and support in advancing cluster-based collaboration among Government agencies. Her efforts were commended as instrumental in fostering alignment and improving coordination across MDAs.
The HOGA meetings, which are held quarterly, continue to play a critical role in reinforcing the leadership mandate of the Office of the Prime Minister in driving service delivery and ensuring coherence in Government operations. Officials noted that the forum has become an important mechanism for tracking progress, addressing implementation bottlenecks, and promoting synergy among agencies.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for sustained collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility among government institutions to accelerate service delivery and advance Uganda’s national development priorities under NDP IV.