The Government has ordered the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) to compile a comprehensive list of locally developed digital innovations ready for commercialisation within two weeks.
The directive was issued by the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance in charge of National Guidance, Alioni Yorke Odria, during his first familiarisation tour of the institute’s facilities in Nakawa, Kampala, on Friday, 31 July 2026.
Odria, who is also the Member of Parliament for Aringa South, said the exercise aims to identify promising solutions created by Ugandan youth and open clear pathways for taking them from laboratories and innovation hubs into the marketplace.
“We need to move beyond prototypes and research papers,” the Minister said. “Our young people are developing useful digital tools every day. The time has come to support them so these innovations can create jobs, generate income and solve real problems for Ugandans.”
According to the Minister, the inventory will cover software, applications, hardware prototypes and other digital solutions that have reached a stage where they can be scaled or sold. Once the list is ready, the Ministry plans to organise a workshop to review the innovations and explore ways of mobilising resources for commercialisation, both within Uganda and beyond.
Uganda already has several success stories of home-grown technology reaching the market. Kiira Motors Corporation, which started as a research project at Makerere University, has commercialised electric buses under the Kayoola E-Bus series that now operate on public routes in Kampala and other corridors. Other examples include fintech solutions, health-tech applications and agro-processing tools developed by local innovators.
During the tour, UICT officials showcased several ongoing projects, including an artificial intelligence-powered self-driving vehicle prototype and a smart traffic management system created by a young innovator. These demonstrations, the Minister noted, show the depth of talent available in the country.
Odria emphasised that supporting local technology is critical to achieving Uganda’s Vision 2040 goal of becoming a middle-income economy driven by innovation and digitalisation. He said government remains committed to creating an enabling environment through policy, skills development and partnerships with the private sector.
The Minister also called on universities, innovation hubs and research institutions to work more closely with industry so that ideas do not remain confined to academic settings. He stressed the need for practical training, mentorship and access to finance to help young innovators turn concepts into viable businesses.
UICT management welcomed the directive and pledged to deliver the inventory within the set timeline. Officials said the institute has been supporting student and staff innovations for years and is ready to play a stronger role in linking creators with markets and investors.
The push comes at a time when Uganda is intensifying efforts to grow its digital economy. Recent government initiatives include plans to reduce taxes on entry-level smartphones, expand innovation hubs outside Kampala, and finalise a national artificial intelligence strategy.
Stakeholders in the tech community have described the latest directive as a positive step. Many innovators have long complained that promising ideas struggle to move beyond the prototype stage due to limited funding, mentorship and market access.
If successfully implemented, the commercialisation drive could help more Ugandan-made digital products reach users across the country and the region, while creating new opportunities for young people in the technology sector.
The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance is expected to provide further details once the inventory is completed and the planned workshop is convened.