Kampala — The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Health Industry Foundation aimed at accelerating artificial intelligence adoption and digital innovation in Uganda.
The agreement, signed by Permanent Secretary Aminah Zawedde, brings on board the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation as a local implementation partner.
According to the Ministry, the partnership will focus on key areas including AI technology transfer, digital innovation, youth capacity building, smart agriculture, and international exchange programmes.
Officials say the MoU is aligned with Uganda’s broader digital transformation agenda and long-term economic goals. Speaking at the signing, Dr Zawedde emphasised the strategic importance of the collaboration, noting that it supports the country’s ambition to grow into a $500 billion economy by 2040.
“This MOU falls in line with our vision… Our people will gain new skills and have opportunities to visit China on exchange programmes,” she said.
Under the agreement, the partners are expected to establish AI laboratories, support joint research, and provide specialised training opportunities for Ugandan youth and ICT professionals.
The initiative is also projected to have a significant impact on employment and innovation, with estimates suggesting that up to 50,000 Ugandans could benefit from the programme through skills development and job creation.
Chairman of the UN Health Industry Foundation, Chunxiao Huang, described the partnership as a long-term investment in Uganda’s digital and agricultural transformation, highlighting plans to integrate AI into sectors such as agriculture and urban development.
“This partnership will create more than 50,000 jobs in five years and enable Uganda to develop new smart cities,” he said.
The MoU will be implemented over a three-year period and is structured around pillars including emerging technologies, international exchange programmes, and youth empowerment.
Government officials say the collaboration is expected to strengthen Uganda’s ICT ecosystem, enhance productivity in key sectors like agriculture, and position the country as a regional hub for innovation and digital skills development.