The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and National Guidance was established in June 2006 with a mandate of providing strategic and technical leadership, overall coordination, support and advocacy on all matters of policy, laws, regulations and strategy for the ICT sector.
Mission
To increase access and usage of ICT infrastructure and services throughout the country, ensure effective communication of government policies and programs and promotion of a national ideology for social economic transformation
Vision
A knowledgeable and productive society driven by Information, Communications Technology and National Ideology
Mandate
To provide strategic leadership and supervision in information, Communications and Technology and National Guidance for sustainable Development
The ministry achieves this mandate through six departments;
- Dept. of communication and information dissemination
- Dept. of National guidance
- Dept. of Research and Development
- Dept. of ICT Infrastructure Development
- Dept. of E-services
- Dept. of Data Networks Engineers
- Dept. of Finance and Administration
Program Objectives
- Increasing the national ICT Infrastructure
- Promoting ICT Research, innovation and commercialization of indigenous knowledge products
- Increasing the ICT human resource capital
- Strengthen the policy, legal and regulatory framework
- Ensure effective communication and national guidance
Sector Agencies
The sector is composed of the ministry of ICT and National Guidance, National Information Technology Authority, Uganda Communications Commission, Uganda Post Limited, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, Uganda Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Digital Media Unit, Uganda Media Centre, Media Council of Uganda and Uganda Telecoms Company Limited.
Uganda Communication Commission (UCC)
UCC is the regulatory environment of the communications sector including broadcasting
National Information Technology Authority (NITA)
Agency responsible for a rationalized and integrated national IT infrastructure; e-government services in MDAs
Uganda Post Limited (UPL)
Offers a wide range of postal, communications and logistical services; financial services (Money orders); passenger transport and parcel delivery services
Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC)
Being the national broadcaster providing radio and television broadcasting services and programs
Uganda Institute of Information and Communication Technology (UICT)
Responsible for training and development of courses, seminars and workshops, and creation of public awareness of the communications sector
Uganda Medi Centre (UMC)
The center is responsible for providing professional media and communication services to government departments.
Main priorities are;
- Promoting ICT research, innovation, and adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and Robotics, among others
- Enhancing ICT skills and vocational development,
- Promoting development-oriented mind-set and increase government participation in strategic sectors.
- Ensuring effective communication and national guidance
- Extending broadband ICT infrastructure coverage countrywide in partnership with the private sector and implement last mile connectivity in public service delivery areas leveraging existing infrastructure by government and private sector players
- Expanding the Digital Terrestrial Television and Radio Broadcasting network
- Establishing and enhancing national common core infrastructure (data centres, high power computing centers, specialized labs)
- Mainstreaming ICT in all sectors of the economy and digitizing service delivery
- Strengthening Cyber Security in the country
- Developing and implementing the Data Protection and Privacy Program
- Implementing the national addressing system
- Supporting local innovation and promoting export of knowledge products
- Reviewing and developing appropriate policies, strategies, standards and regulations that respond to industry needs
- Coordinating and harmonizing the implementation of ICT infrastructure and services
- Operationalizing the Uganda Telecommunications Company Limited.