Uganda Lays Data Foundation for Future National AI Strategy

Uganda has officially launched a comprehensive five-year National Data Strategy, designed to fundamentally transform how its government agencies collect, store, and share information. This ambitious initiative is explicitly framed as the crucial groundwork for the country's upcoming National AI Strategy. Currently, Uganda only holds data for 36% of its Fourth National Development Plan indicators, a figure the new strategy aims to boost to 80% within five years.

The strategy addresses significant inefficiencies, such as disparate databases across government bodies that force citizens to repeatedly submit the same information. Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, emphasized that high-quality data is indispensable for effective AI development and operation. The goal is to establish a "collect once, use everywhere" principle, ensuring data accuracy and reliability for informed planning and decision-making, particularly in areas like public services and essential medicine forecasting.

Built on pillars of data governance, infrastructure, and strategic use, the plan includes investments in data centers, processing systems, and analytical software, alongside training for public servants. It also prioritizes data privacy, mandating anonymization and pseudonymization in line with Uganda's 2019 Data Protection and Privacy Act. This focus on responsible data handling is critical as the country moves towards greater data sharing.

Overseen by a National Data Steering Committee and Office, the strategy aligns with Uganda's broader Digital Transformation Roadmap and the African Union Data Policy Framework. This positions Uganda alongside other African nations like Nigeria, Senegal, and Mauritius in adopting a national data policy. While acknowledging the challenge of implementation, officials from UN Global Pulse Uganda and UNDP, who provided technical support, stressed the importance of pilot programs to demonstrate the tangible benefits of improved data use.

For Africa, this strategy signifies a proactive step towards building robust digital infrastructure essential for leveraging AI. By establishing a strong data foundation, Uganda aims to ensure that its future AI initiatives are built on reliable, well-governed data, maximizing their potential for national development and improving citizen services. It also highlights a growing trend among African nations to develop comprehensive data policies as a precursor to national AI frameworks.