Established in 2009 under the supervision of the Ministry of Information Communications Technology and National Guidance (MOICT&NG), the National Information Technology Authority, Uganda (NITA-U) was created to coordinate, promote, and monitor IT development as a critical driver of social and economic progress in the country.
NITA-U’s mandate is broad, focusing on harmonizing IT use across government institutions to improve the quality and efficiency of public services. The Authority also seeks to enhance accountability and transparency while optimizing the use of scarce technical skills and infrastructure through shared resources such as centralized data centers. These efforts aim to generate significant cost savings and elevate the government’s IT adoption across multiple sectors.
Vision
Lives transformed through e-services delivery.
Mission
To create a technical and regulatory environment for the delivery of reliable and secure e-services.
Mandate
To coordinate, promote and monitor Information Technology (IT) developments in Uganda within the context of National Social and Economic development.
Objectives And Functions
- To provide high-quality information technology services to the Government;
- To promote standardisation in the planning, acquisition, implementation, delivery, support and maintenance of information technology equipment and services, to ensure uniformity in quality, adequacy and reliability of information technology usage throughout Uganda;
- To provide guidance and other assistance as may be required to other users and providers of information technology;
- To promote cooperation, coordination and rationalisation among users and providers of information technology at national and local levels to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure optimal utilisation of scarce resources;
- To promote and be the focal point of cooperation for information technology users and providers at regional and international levels; and
- To promote access to and utilisation of information technology by special interest groups.
Core Functions of NITA-U
NITA-U’s mandate encompasses a broad range of functions, ensuring effective management and advancement of IT services in both the public and private sectors:
Technical Support: Provides first-line technical support for critical government IT systems, including managing resources and infrastructure for centralised data centres.
IT Advisory: Advises the government on IT development, utilisation, usability, accessibility, networking, systems development, security, and training.
Sector Monitoring: Oversees and monitors IT usage in public and private sectors to ensure compliance and effective utilisation.
Procurement Regulation: Regulates and enforces standards for IT hardware and software procurement across government ministries, departments, agencies, and parastatals.
National Databank Management: Creates and manages the national databank, ensuring efficient handling of data inputs and outputs.
Standard Setting: Sets, monitors, and regulates standards for IT planning, acquisition, implementation, risk management, data protection, security, and system maintenance.
Electronic Signature Regulation: Regulates electronic signatures and related infrastructure for secure electronic transactions in Uganda
Promotion of e-government and e-Commerce: Provides technical guidance and promotes the establishment of e-government, e-Commerce, and other e-transactions.
IT Profession Regulation: Collaborates with relevant institutions to regulate and promote the IT profession in Uganda for effective development and utilisation.
Training Authentication: Acts as an accreditation body for IT training in Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
Project Management Advisory: Offers IT project management advice to the government for efficient execution and delivery of projects.
Records Management: Manages records and serves as an information repository for government entities.
Information Sharing Infrastructure: Guides on developing infrastructure for data sharing among government and stakeholders.
IT Audit Services: Delivers IT audit services to ensure the integrity, security, and compliance of government systems.
Research and Development: Commissions research to promote the Authority’s objectives and the advancement of IT.
Dispute Arbitration: Mediates disputes between IT service providers and consumers to ensure fair resolutions.
Consumer Protection: Protects and promotes the interests of IT service users and consumers.
18 General Mandate: Undertakes any other activities necessary for the fulfilment of NITA-U’s mission.
Governance and Organizational Structure
NITA-U operates under a governance structure that has been in place since its inception. The Authority is overseen by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance. The Board is responsible for setting policy guidelines, approving budgets and action plans, and overseeing the implementation of NITA-U’s strategic objectives. It also determines the organization’s staffing levels and procedural rules.
At the operational level, the NITA-U Secretariat, led by an Executive Director, manages the day-to-day activities of the Authority. The Secretariat is divided into several directorates, each focusing on a key functional area:
- Directorate of E-Government Services
- Directorate of Finance and Administration
- Directorate of Information Security Services
- Directorate of Planning, Research, and Development
- Directorate of Technical Services
- Directorate of Regulation and Legal Services
NITA- U SACCO
Vision
A leading SACCO promoting the prosperity of the members through enhanced savings and access to convenient credit.
Mission
To mobilize financial resources and provide services to members through competent and professional human resources, appropriate technology and management practices in the dynamic competitive environment ensuring efficiency and sustainability.
Core values integrity, financial discipline, Honesty, Teamwork, and good customer services
Sacco Products
- Savings
- Loans
- Emergency loans
- Business loans
- School fees loans
- Salary loans
- Investments
NITA-U Strategic Plan FY 2018-2023
The NITA-U Strategic Plan for 2018-2023 represents a significant shift in how the Authority will deliver services to the government. The primary focus is on customer satisfaction, with government ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), local governments (LGs), and citizens as the main beneficiaries. The plan is driven by a clear goal to deliver value to these stakeholders, using a structured IT Service Delivery Model to align the necessary resources.
This strategy is informed by stakeholder expectations, national development priorities outlined in Uganda’s Vision 2040, and emerging global ICT trends. NITA-U’s strategic focus for the five years is built around three core pillars:
- Service Delivery Excellence
- Operational Excellence
- Relationship Excellence
To achieve these goals, the plan outlines twelve strategic objectives, aimed at:
- Transforming public service delivery
- Expanding ICT access, particularly to underserved regions
- Reducing Internet bandwidth costs
- Achieving government savings through ICT service rationalization
- Success will require ownership at all levels, effective annual planning, and a commitment of resources. Progress will be tracked through quarterly and annual performance reports submitted to NITA-U’s Management and Board. Continuous engagement with staff and stakeholders will be critical to gathering feedback and ensuring alignment with objectives.
Core Values
- Integrity: NITA-U upholds honesty, accountability, and transparency, rejecting corruption and unethical behaviour in all its forms.
- Innovation: The Authority is committed to seeking new and efficient ways to deliver value, embracing technological advancements in line with global IT trends, and positioning itself as a premier IT organization in Uganda.
- Teamwork: NITA-U fosters mutual respect and collaboration, recognizing individual contributions to achieve collective success.
- Customer-Centricity: Customer satisfaction is central to NITA-U’s operations. The Authority focuses on understanding and flawlessly delivering on customer needs.
- Quality: NITA-U is committed to continuous improvement and delivering excellent IT services, optimizing available resources to ensure high-quality outcomes.
Located in Karama, approximately 40 km from the Mubende-Fort Portal highway, the Armoured Warfare Training School (AWTS) occupies 53 square miles within Kabamba cantonment. Established in 1991, the school has evolved to train officers and soldiers in the use of armored vehicles and motorized infantry, critical for modern battlefield operations.
Mission
To train officers and soldiers capable of operating and maintaining armored equipment in diverse battle environments, strengthening the Armoured and Motorised Infantry Brigades.
Non-Commissioned Officers’ Academy (NCOA)
The Non-Commissioned Officers’ Academy (NCOA), located in Jinja, provides foundational training for NCOs, enabling them to effectively command, administer, and lead troops. Originally located in Kabamba, it was relocated to Jinja to allow space for the Uganda Military Academy.
NCOA focuses on providing soldiers with the necessary tactical and operational training to manage military units, while also offering career guidance and support for life after service.
Mission
To train lower military unit leaders in tactical techniques and operational procedures, enabling them to organize, command, and manage basic troop compositions, while ensuring the welfare of their soldiers and resources.