Uganda ICT Minister: Research Policy Critical for NCC 2026

• Uganda's ICT Minister, Justine Kasule Lumumba, emphasized the critical need for research to underpin policy development at the 10th National Conference on Communications (NCC 2026).
• The Minister highlighted that research provides essential evidence to identify gaps, understand trends, and make informed decisions, preventing policies based on assumptions.
• ICTs are a key component of Uganda's government strategy for economic transformation, with Science, Technology, and Innovation being a pillar for ten-fold economic growth.
• Lumumba cautioned that digital advancements bring challenges like cybercrime, online harassment, and misinformation, alongside opportunities.
• Effective responses to digital challenges require informed policy, robust ICT regulation, responsible innovation, continuous research, and strong collaboration across sectors.

Addressing these complex challenges necessitates a multi-pronged approach, encompassing informed policy, effective regulation, responsible innovation, and continuous research.

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, recently underscored the critical role of research in shaping effective policy and guiding implementation. Speaking at the opening of the 10th National Conference on Communications (NCC 2026) at Makerere University on Thursday, September 25, 2026, Minister Lumumba cautioned against viewing evidence generation as a dispensable luxury, especially when competing demands arise. She asserted that research must form the bedrock of progress, informing both governmental policy formulation and private-sector development initiatives.

Minister Lumumba articulated that understanding challenges is a prerequisite for developing effective solutions. Research, she explained, provides the necessary evidence to pinpoint gaps, comprehend emerging trends, rigorously test ideas, and ultimately facilitate informed decision-making. The Minister emphasized that government policies and programs achieve maximum efficacy when they are firmly grounded in evidence, warning that decisions made without research risk being based on assumptions rather than verifiable facts, leading to solutions that may not fully address the intended problems. The NCC 2026, organized by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) in partnership with Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), focused on the theme ‘Accelerating Market-Driven Research and Innovation for Uganda’s Development.’

Beyond the immediate focus on research, the Minister reaffirmed the Ugandan Government’s steadfast commitment to leveraging Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a primary driver for economic transformation, enhancing public service delivery, and improving the overall quality of life for all citizens. This commitment is deeply embedded within the nation's broader strategic framework for growth.

Science, Technology, and Innovation stands as one of four strategic pillars identified to propel the Government’s ambitious agenda for ten-fold economic growth. This pivotal role places it alongside Agro-Industrialisation, Tourism Development, and Mineral-Based Industrialisation. The inclusion of Science, Technology, and Innovation among these priority areas unequivocally highlights the central and indispensable role that research, technology, and innovation must play in fundamentally transforming Uganda’s economy.

However, Minister Lumumba also issued a crucial caution: every technological advancement inherently presents both significant opportunities and considerable challenges. While digital technologies unlock unprecedented avenues for communication, innovation, service delivery, and economic growth, they simultaneously create vulnerabilities that can be exploited for malicious purposes. These include cybercrime, online harassment, the proliferation of hate speech, the spread of misinformation, and child exploitation, among other forms of digital abuse.

Addressing these complex challenges necessitates a multi-pronged approach, encompassing informed policy, effective regulation, responsible innovation, and continuous research. Furthermore, the Minister stressed the imperative for stronger collaboration among key stakeholders, including government bodies, academic institutions, industry players, and civil society organizations. This collaborative effort is essential for building a resilient and secure digital environment. Hon. Nyombi Thembo, the UCC Executive Director, further elaborated on the NCC's foundational objectives, stating that the conference is designed to advance research and innovation, foster constructive dialogue, and build vital connections within the sector, serving as a national platform for showcasing advancements.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Uganda's ICT sector should anticipate future regulations and policies to be heavily influenced by evidence-based research, particularly concerning digital safety, cybercrime, and responsible innovation. This necessitates close monitoring of upcoming policy and regulatory developments from the Ministry of ICT and UCC to ensure ongoing compliance and advise clients effectively on emerging digital risks and opportunities.

Source: Original reporting via a September 2026 news release