Mr Shafiq Lutaaya Talks Uganda Digital Transformation Programme in an Interview with Timothy Wasike

2. Mr Shafiq Lutaaya Talks Uganda Digital Transformation Programme in an Interview with Timothy Wasike

3. The Digital Uganda Vision and the Digital Transformation Programme of the Third National Development Plan of Uganda

Introduction

The Government of Uganda recognized ICT as a vehicle for inclusive and sustainable development in the Uganda Vision 2040 

The Digital Uganda Vision is the digital agenda/framework that is aligned to the Uganda Vision 2040 to guide ICT investments, policies and strategies across all sectors of Government, private sector, academia and development partners among others.

Background 

-Need for DUV identified by the Sector in 2016 

-Stakeholders were consulted namely; Members of Parliament, MDAs, private sector, academia, development partners and civil society

-Uganda Digital Readiness Diagnostic Report produced in March 2018 with support from ITU

-Presentations made to NPA, MoFPED and key MDAs;

Aspirations

-Digital and Data Driven Economy

-Transformation of Service Delivery

-ICT Businesses and Investment

-Improved Global Competitiveness

-Digital Inclusion and Empowerment 

-Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity

Outcomes

i. 100% household connectivity by 2040

ii. 100% connectivity for all government institutions (both central and local governments)

iii. 100% connectivity to SMEs and other private institutions.

iv. 100% broadband coverage by geography.

v. 70% of new projects with ICT infrastructure component vi. 90% shared communication infrastructure

vii. 99% infrastructure availability.

viii. effective utilisation of spectrum as per the set standards

Interventions

a) Implement the national Broadband policy to ensure connectivity for all;

b) Develop mechanisms to reduce the cost of infrastructure deployment

c) Coordinate the planning, acquisition, and deployment of integrated ICT infrastructure for both government and private sector

d) Promote the deployment of infrastructure that address current and future demands for digital services including the deployment of emerging technologies such as 4IR. 

Digital Services

Outcomes

i. Quality Communication services to support delivery of e-services such as digital financial services

ii. 90% of citizens accessing e- services online.

iii. 95% of government services online

iv. 90% of government services integrated and interoperable.

v. 90% utilisation of e-services by special interest groups like PWDs, Women and Refugees.

vi. Enhanced citizen participation and inclusion vii. Increased profitability of the private sector

viii. Increased efficiency in service delivery through reduced Turnaround Time and Cost ix. Reduced cost of doing business to the operator

x. Reduced cost of acquisition of services by consumers

Interventions

a) Review, and automate integrated end-toend government business and service delivery processes. b) Promote access and utilization of Digital Services

c) Develop and implement digital identity to facilitate access and utilization of eservices.

d) Promote citizen awareness, engagement and participation

e) Enhance digital literacy in Uganda f) Develop strategies to promote affordability of communication services g) Incentivize delivery of e-services to citizenry. 

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Outcomes

i. 60% utilization of local ICT products and services by government and private sector

ii. 100 patents and copyrights registered at WIPO annually

Interventions

a) Development of an ecosystem that promotes development and commercialisation of local ICT products and solutions including data and collaborative research.

b) Promotion of Import substitution

c) Development of sectoral Centres of Excellence

d) Establishment of a common platform/government test lab to promote development of standardised e-government solutions

Digital Skills

Outcomes

i. 100% digitally literate citizenry

ii. 70% of industry skills requirements addressed.

Interventions

a) Mainstream ICT training at all levels of education

b) Develop a framework for continuous assessment of ICT skills gaps to support development of ICT services

c) Develop a digital skills framework to inform digital literacy interventions

d) Improve digital skill levels among persons with special needs

e) Align the training curriculum with requirement of ICT industry

Cyber Security & Data Privacy

Outcomes

i. 90% of institutions with cybersecurity safeguards in place

ii. 90% compliance to data protection and privacy standards

Interventions

a) Building a trusted digital ecosystem through development of relevant policy and legal frameworks b) Increased regional and international collaboration on cybersecurity management

c) Enhanced monitoring and compliance to cybersecurity and data protection standards

Cross-cutting Issues

1. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
2. 2. Laws, regulations, procedures and standards
3. Data, information and knowledge management
4. Collaborative and dynamic ICT governance
5. Business process management and re-engineering
6.  Change management and skills transfer
7. Strategic collaboration and partnerships
8. Communication and advocacy

Implementation Arrangements

-Governance structure developed

-Financing mechanism proposed

-M&E approach recommended

-ICT targets have been set for the various sectors/programmes in alignment with Uganda Vision 2040   

Conclusion

ICT will continue to play a major role towards the realization of the strategic vision of “A Transformed Ugandan Society from a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country within 30 years” . To achieve this, we should pursue an ICT compliance requirement