The Directorate of ICT Services is made up of the following departments
a) ICT Research and Development
b) E- Services
ICT Research and Development Department
Functions for the department of ICT Research and Development
– ICT Innovation and product Development
– ICT Research
E-Services Department
1) Mandate of the department/Roles/Functions
Role of the E-Services Department
To coordinate, promote and monitor the development of enabling environment and implementation of digital transformation and e-Services interventions.
Key Functions
- Developing of Digital Services frameworks, policies, laws and regulations;
- Promotion of E-services and emerging technologies across Government;
- Supervision of the agencies, especially NITA-U;
- Promoting interoperability and integration of systems;
- Institutionalization of ICT functions in MDAs/LGs cadres;
- Enhancement of cyber security, data governance and privacy;
- Providing technical support and monitoring of eGovernment interventions in MDAs/LGs;
- Reviewing, assessing and supporting the implementation of eGovernment systems and process re-engineering;
- Promoting adoption of IT Enabled Services/Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services;
- Promoting local assembly of ICT devices and sustainable eWaste management; and
- Developing critical mass of ICT professionals, digital skills and awareness for citizens in line with emerging trends.
2) Achievements registered over the last 5 years
-The Department coordinated the development of the following laws and regulations:
- Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019;
- Data Protection Regulation 2021;
- NITA-U (National Databank) Regulations 2019
-The Department coordinated the development of the following policies and strategies:
- Digital Uganda Vision;
- NDP III Digital Transformation Programme and the Programme Implementation Action Plan (PIAP)
- National Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution;
- Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa under the African Union
- Regional eWaste Management Strategy under the East African Communications Organisation (EACO) + Developed a framework for harmonizing eWaste Classification in the region;
- Artificial Intelligence Strategy Blueprint in partnership with Smart Africa;
-The Department coordinated the following studies:
- Feasibility Study on Electronics Assembly and Manufacturing conducted for the development of a supportive enabling environment for electronics manufacturing;
- Gap Analysis of the ICT Legal frameworks policies, standards and regulations
- National eCommerce Readiness Assessment for Uganda
-Supervised and monitored strategic interventions and projects under the National IT Authority – Uganda (NITA-U) – Board Member
-Provided leadership in the design and negotiation of the GovNET – Uganda Digital Acceleration Project (UDAP) to be funded by the World Bank;
-Supported the Public Service Commission and District Service Commissions in the recruitment of Government ICT Officers;
-Provided technical support to MDAs/LGs in the development and roll-out of eServices including MoGLSD, MoH, MoES, MoWT, MoLG, MoL&H, MoFPED, MIA MoPS, MoJCA, Uganda AIDS Commission, Cancer Institute, Mulago Women’s Hospital and UNBS;
-Organized training for Government ICT Officers in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and IT Service Management (ITIL);
-Chair, National E-waste Steering Committee:
- E-waste Management Facility established at Industrial Area in partnership with NEMA, NEC and other stakeholders;
-Representing the Ministry on the Technical Committee for Implementation of Parish Development Model;
-Representing the Ministry in the Covid19 Task Force Technical Committee;
-Chair, ICT Professional Development Committee;
-Coordination of NRM Manifesto implementation;
-Coordination of National 4IR Secretariat;
-Coordination of NDP Digital Transformation Programme Secretariat (including PWG activities);
-Represented the Ministry at Regional and International fora including:
- World Economic Forum Global Council on Agile Governance;
- Artificial Intelligence Working Group under the African Union;
- East African Sub-Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence with support from UNESCO;
- Artificial Intelligence Working Group under Smart Africa;
- Focal point for Policy and Regulatory Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) under the African Union;
- Programme for Infrastructure Development for Africa (PIDA) under the African Union;
- Regional eWaste Steering Committee under East African Communications Organization (EACO);
- Advisory Board of UNCDF on Digital Economy.
-Assisted the Permanent Secretary in mobilizing technical assistance and funding from UN agencies (UN Pulse, UNCDF, UNESCO, etc), Financial Sector Deepening Uganda, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), GIZ, Government of India, Government of the UAE, World Economic Forum (WEF) Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution, EU, the World Bank, Konrad Adeneur Stiftung (KAS), ITU, and Arab Republic of Egypt.
3) Outstanding/pending issues to be followed up
- Implementation of the Parish Development Model;
- Implementation of NDP III Digital Transformation Programme;
- Cabinet Memo on UDAP-GovNET;
- Cabinet Memo on the Integration of Government Systems and Services;
- Principles and Justification for ICT Professionals Bill;
- Development of AI Ethical Framework and Data Market Strategy with support from UN Global Pulse;
- Operationalization of MoU with Financial Sector Deepening Uganda
- Operationalization of National 4IR Strateg