UCC Boss Hails ICT Gains, Pledges ‘No Sleep’ as New Ministers Take Charge

By Ben Musanje

Uganda’s communications sector has recorded significant progress over the past five years, driven by expanded digital infrastructure, growing broadband access and increased adoption of technology across key sectors of the economy, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director George William Nyombi Thembo has said.

Speaking during the official handover ceremony at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance headquarters in Kampala, Nyombi credited the outgoing political leadership for steering the sector through a period marked by the implementation of the Digital Transformation Roadmap and the National Development Plan IV.

He noted that the ICT sector had registered remarkable progress during the period and emphasized that digital technology had become central to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda.

The event marked the assumption of office by the newly appointed Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, alongside State Minister for ICT and National Guidance Yorke Alioni Odria. State Minister for ICT Joyce Nabbosa Ssebuggwawo retained her position.

Nyombi welcomed the new leadership team and assured them of the full support of agencies under the ministry in advancing Uganda’s digital transformation agenda.

He observed that ICT was no longer merely another sector of the economy but had evolved into a critical enabler of development across education, healthcare, agriculture, financial services, manufacturing, trade and governance.

He further pledged that sector agencies would continue providing the technical expertise, institutional capacity and policy guidance required to help the government achieve its vision of accelerated socio-economic transformation.

During the ceremony, Nyombi paid tribute to outgoing ICT Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, who has since been transferred to the Ministry of Health, as well as former State Minister for National Guidance Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku. He said their leadership and commitment had made a lasting contribution to the growth and development of the sector.

He also commended Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde for ensuring continuity and stability during the transition period, noting that her stewardship had enabled ministry operations to continue seamlessly despite changes in political leadership.

Reflecting on achievements registered over the last five years, Nyombi pointed to accelerated growth in communications infrastructure, increased broadband penetration, expansion of digital services and growing recognition of ICT as a key driver of economic growth and national competitiveness.

He urged the incoming leadership to build on those gains and continue expanding access to technology across the country.

Referring to President Yoweri Museveni’s recent call for hard work under the new administration of ‘Kisanja No sleep’, Nyombi said sector agencies had embraced the message and were prepared to intensify their efforts. He stressed that the agencies remained committed to ensuring that the benefits of modern ICT reached every Ugandan, including households, schools, health facilities and businesses across the country.

Nyombi further stated that stronger collaboration between political leaders, technocrats, sector agencies and industry players would be essential in accelerating Uganda’s digital transformation agenda and ensuring that no citizen was left behind in the digital age.

The ceremony was attended by heads of agencies under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, including the Uganda Media Centre, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), Posta Uganda, Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT), National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), Media Council of Uganda and Vision Group. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).