KAMPALA – The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative aimed at harnessing the technology to drive the country’s development agenda.
Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the UCC, emphasized the need for Uganda to shift its focus from fearing AI to understanding its benefits. “We shouldn’t fear AI, but rather seek to understand its benefits,” Thembo said. “AI has the potential to revolutionize key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education, driving sustainable growth and improving public services.”
Thembo’s call to action comes as Uganda seeks to position itself as a leader in Africa’s AI landscape. The country is investing heavily in digital infrastructure, including high-speed internet and data centers, to support the growth of AI and other emerging technologies.
“As we embark on this transformative journey, it is imperative that we address the AI skills gap in our country,” Thembo said. “We cannot afford to be left behind in the AI revolution. We must invest in developing the skills and expertise needed to drive AI adoption and innovation in Uganda.”
Thembo noted that the UCC is working to promote AI awareness and education in Uganda, but more needs to be done to address the skills gap.
“We need to develop a robust AI workforce that can drive innovation and entrepreneurship in Uganda,” Thembo said. “This requires a concerted effort from government, academia, and industry to develop AI training programs, scholarships, and research initiatives.”
The UCC has established a task force on AI to develop a national AI strategy and provide guidance on the development and deployment of AI solutions in Uganda.
According to Ms. Rebecca Mukite, Head of Communications and Infrastructure Services at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the development and deployment of AI require a robust foundation of data, research, and innovation.
“Data is the foundation of AI, and the quality of data determines the quality of decisions made by AI systems,” Mukite said. “We need to prioritize the development of high-quality data infrastructure to support AI innovation.”
Mukite also emphasized the importance of research and innovation in driving AI development. “AI systems require extensive research and testing to ensure they are safe, reliable, and effective,” she said. “We need to create an environment that fosters innovation and collaboration among researchers, developers, and users.”
The UCC is working to establish a standardized framework for AI innovation, based on international standards and best practices. “Standards are essential for ensuring that AI systems are interoperable, secure, and reliable,” Mukite said. “We are working with international organizations, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to develop standards and guidelines for AI innovation.”
The ITU’s framework for AI standardization emphasizes the importance of consensus-based standards, which are developed through a collaborative process involving multiple stakeholders. “Consensus-based standards ensure that AI systems are developed with the needs and concerns of all stakeholders in mind,” Mukite said.
The UCC’s efforts to promote AI innovation and standardization are part of a broader national strategy to leverage technology for development. “AI has the potential to drive economic growth, improve healthcare outcomes, and enhance education in Uganda,” Mukite said. “We need to work together to create an environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and standardization in AI development.”
The AI Consultative Stakeholder Workshop brought together stakeholders from government, academia, and industry to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in Uganda.
The workshop highlighted the need for Uganda to develop a comprehensive AI strategy that addresses the skills gap, infrastructure development, and regulatory frameworks.
