The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, has officially launched the National Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Policy and a Publicity Campaign, aimed at positioning Uganda as a prime destination for BPO services.
The initiative seeks to create more job opportunities for the country’s youthful population, enhance digital skills, and attract international investment into the sector.
The launch event, presided over by ICT Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, brought together key stakeholders from the government, private sector, and international partners.
In his remarks, Baryomunsi emphasised that Uganda’s young, educated, and English-speaking workforce makes the country an attractive BPO destination.
“We must create decent jobs for our young people. The BPO industry provides a great opportunity for employment and innovation,” he said, adding that outsourcing can transform Uganda’s economy by providing global employment opportunities while keeping talent within the country.
Key Objectives of the BPO Policy
The newly launched policy aims to reduce operational costs for businesses through outsourcing, improve access to international markets for BPO operators, enhance digital infrastructure to support the growth of the sector and provide skills training to ensure Ugandans are employable in the global BPO industry.
Dr Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, outlined the government’s strategy for implementing the policy, which includes investing in internet infrastructure, digital skilling programs, and tax incentives to attract both local and international BPO companies.
“We are committed to ensuring that Uganda becomes a competitive BPO destination. This policy is not just about words; it comes with a clear implementation strategy. We are tackling infrastructure gaps, reducing internet costs, and encouraging private sector participation,” she said.
Dr Zawedde also urged Ugandans to embrace digital transformation, stating that the government is working to ensure that ICT hubs across the country are equipped to support innovation and outsourcing services.
Uganda’s Competitive Advantage in the BPO Industry
Uganda is leveraging several advantages to position itself as a leading BPO destination in Africa. According to Prof William Bazeyo, Chairperson of the BPO Council, Uganda’s language proficiency, affordable labour force, and favourable time zone make it an ideal location for outsourcing services.
“Uganda is a sleeping giant in the BPO industry. We have a young and talented population, excellent English proficiency, and a cost-effective workforce. Many global companies are looking for destinations like Uganda to outsource their services,” said Prof Bazeyo.
He noted that some BPO companies in other countries operate independently without government support, but Uganda’s approach to government-led policy and incentives will create a more structured and sustainable BPO sector.
Growing the Industry Through Awareness and Partnerships
The BPO Publicity Campaign was also launched to raise awareness about outsourcing opportunities and promote Uganda as an outsourcing hub.
Ambrose Ruyooka, Head of the Research and Development Department at the Ministry of ICT, emphasised the significance of the campaign, saying: “We need to change the perception of Uganda’s digital economy. Many foreign investors are unaware of the potential our workforce holds. This campaign will showcase Uganda’s strengths and attract international clients.”
Ruyooka further noted that Uganda’s time zone advantage allows companies in North America, Europe, and Asia to outsource work to Ugandan professionals in customer support, data entry, software development, and financial services.
Infrastructure and Digital Skilling as Key Priorities
The government has already made strides in expanding ICT infrastructure to support BPO growth.
Dr Zawedde highlighted ongoing projects such as the expansion of the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) to increase internet access across the country, setting up BPO hubs outside Kampala to decentralise job opportunities and encouraging private sector investment in ICT parks and co-working spaces.
The Ministry is also working with universities and technical institutes to integrate BPO-related skills training into their programs.
“We don’t just want to create jobs, we want to equip our young people with the right skills to be globally competitive. BPO training will be embedded in our education system to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals,” Zawedde explained.
A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry with Job Creation Potential
Industry experts predict that the global BPO market will grow to over $500 billion by 2030. Uganda is aiming to tap into this industry by becoming a major outsourcing hub in Africa.
Prof Bazeyo stressed that Uganda must seize this opportunity by attracting major companies and creating an enabling business environment.
“We are talking about an industry worth billions of dollars. If Uganda captures even a small percentage of this market, we can create tens of thousands of jobs for our young people,” he said.
The government hopes that, with this policy in place, over 30,000 jobs can be created in the short term, with even higher employment projections in the coming years.
A Call for Collaboration and Optimism
Stakeholders at the launch event called for collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia to ensure that Uganda’s BPO industry grows sustainably.
“We need partnerships. The government is doing its part by creating a favourable policy framework. Now, the private sector must invest, and our young people must embrace digital opportunities,” said Ruyooka.
With the policy now in place and the publicity campaign officially launched, Uganda is poised to become a major player in Africa’s BPO industry, attracting global businesses while empowering its youthful workforce.
