By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has called for stronger collaboration among African countries to bridge the continent’s widening digital divide and accelerate economic transformation.
Baryomunsi said Africa continues to lag behind in digital development due to disparities between the global North and South, warning that fragmented approaches risk slowing progress.
“Africa’s digital transformation must be collaborative. You cannot do this as an island. There is need for collaboration between countries,” he said.
The minister cited key challenges undermining digital transformation efforts, including legacy systems, fragmented databases, slow internet speeds, financing gaps, cyber security threats and low public trust in digital systems. He noted that joint efforts across the continent would help build sustainable and context-specific solutions.
Baryomunsi made the remarks on Tuesday during a media briefing in Kampala, where the Government, through the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), announced that Uganda will host the 2026 Digital Governments Africa (DGA) conference.
The conference will take place from October 6 to 8, 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
DGA is a premier continental platform that convenes governments, public institutions, technology providers, development partners and investors to advance the digital transformation of public services across Africa.
Baryomunsi underscored the growing role of ICT in national development, urging sustained investment, supportive policies and prioritisation of data protection.
“Digital transformation is no longer a future ambition; it is central to how governments deliver services, manage national data systems, strengthen accountability, support economic growth and improve citizens’ lives,” he said.
He added that government remains committed to expanding connectivity and improving infrastructure to promote digital inclusion and innovation, while strengthening partnerships with the private sector.
NITA-U executive director Hatwib Mugasa said the agency is accelerating efforts to extend digital infrastructure nationwide.
“We have built a robust fibre optic network across the country, covering about 5,000 kilometres, and we are expanding it to ensure 100% coverage of all districts and major towns by 2028,” Mugasa said.
He said the upcoming conference will also provide a platform to showcase investment opportunities, calling on Ugandan innovators and data investors to participate.
Held under the theme “Accelerating Africa’s Digital Transformation of Governments,” the DGA 2026 conference is expected to attract participants from more than 36 African countries, including innovators, technology firms, public institutions and policy experts.
Organizers say the event will offer local innovators an opportunity to network, showcase solutions and tap into a broader African digital market for their products and services.
“This is more than a gathering of leaders but a bold statement that Africa is ready to take full ownership of its digital future. Through this summit, we will not only showcase Uganda’s progress in building resilient digital infrastructure, but also create a powerful platform for policy dialogue, innovation, and partnerships that will accelerate inclusive digital government across our continent.” John Glassey, CEO Africa Brains.
