Lumumba urges private sector to develop digital solutions, tap government support

What the report says

Nile Post reported that ICT and National Guidance Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba has urged Uganda’s private sector to build practical digital tools that respond to national needs and can qualify for government support. She made the call while speaking as chief guest at the third State of the Digital Economy forum, SODE 2026, where government officials, innovators and industry players discussed Uganda’s digital direction.

According to the report, Lumumba said Uganda should increasingly assess its digital economy by its effect on employment, household earnings and business growth, rather than only by internet connectivity figures. She said the government has expanded digital infrastructure and online public services, but the next priority should be using technology to improve livelihoods and service delivery.

The minister pointed to agriculture as one area where locally developed technologies could have impact, citing artificial intelligence tools that may help farmers identify crop diseases earlier and make better production decisions. She also highlighted affordability as a major obstacle to inclusion, supporting efforts to reduce the cost of internet access and digital devices.

Nile Post said Lumumba encouraged financial institutions and innovators to use digital records, such as mobile money transaction histories, to help individuals and small businesses without traditional collateral access credit. The wider SODE 2026 discussions covered artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, financial inclusion, infrastructure, digital skills and the creator economy, reflecting ongoing efforts to link Uganda’s digital transformation to broader economic participation.