Uganda at a crossroads: Securing sovereignty in the age of Artificial Intelligence
Uganda faces a critical juncture as the global AI revolution accelerates, with vast amounts of citizen data – including sensitive biometric facts – being collected and perhaps utilized to train powerful AI systems developed abroad. A growing concern, highlighted at recent forums like the Lagos symposium, is the potential for Africa to become a “data colony,” supplying raw data while remaining reliant on expensive, externally-defined AI products. This raises a essential question: who controls the data that shapes the machines’ understanding of Uganda, and what narrative will those machines ultimately perpetuate?
Currently, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has amassed fingerprints, facial images, and iris scans from over 30 million Ugandan citizens. Together, increasing digitization of mobile money transactions, health records, and land registry details is creating a wealth of data. However, a lack of openness surrounds the storage, access, and usage of this data, particularly concerning its potential application in training AI models – both domestically and internationally. The implications are significant; when global AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini generate responses about Uganda, the source and biases within their training data remain largely unknown.
The global power dynamics in AI development are stark. The United States, China, and Europe are leading not only in model creation but also in defining ethical standards and capturing economic benefits. Uganda risks being left behind, passively contributing data without influencing the development or benefiting from the advancements in AI.
Recognizing this challenge, the ministry of ICT, led by Dr.Aminah zawedde, and the National AI Taskforce have a crucial prospect to proactively shape Uganda’s AI future. A shift from closed-door discussions to transparent and decisive action is urgently needed. Specifically, the following steps are vital:
- Publicly Release the National AI Strategy: A comprehensive progress report and a firm timeline for the completion of the National AI Strategy must be published before March 2026.
- Establish Data Sovereignty Rules: Clear regulations are needed to mandate the local storage and processing of sensitive biometric and citizen data used in AI training.
- Develop Ugandan Datasets: A deliberate program should be launched to create datasets reflecting Ugandan languages and cultures – including Luganda, Runyankole, Acholi, Lusoga, and the nation’s 40+ languages – annotated by Ugandan citizens. This is essential to prevent the perpetuation of stereotypes and ensure accurate representation.
- Invest in Local AI Talent: Partnerships with ugandan universities – Makerere, Victoria, Uganda Christian University, and MUBS – are crucial to train a new generation of 10,000 Ugandan AI engineers and ethicists, fostering indigenous expertise.
- Promote High-Quality Ugandan Knowledge: Guidance should be provided to content creators, journalists, and educators to produce verifiable, high-quality Ugandan knowledge that AI systems can reliably utilize and cite.
The role of “National Guidance,” as defined by the Ministry, extends beyond customary messaging. In the AI age, it means proactively shaping Uganda’s digital narrative before external models define it.
As cautioned by Nigerian data protection commissioner Dr. Vincent Olatunji, “The countries that control the data and the algorithms will control the future.” Uganda possesses the talent, ambition, and strategic location to participate actively in the AI revolution. Though, a critical lack of urgency threatens to leave the nation as a passive consumer, or worse, a subject of an AI future shaped by others.
Dr. Zawedde and the national AI Taskforce must act decisively. releasing the taskforce findings, opening a public dialog, and implementing a strategy that positions Uganda as a shaper – not just a consumer – of AI is paramount. The time to act is now, before the AI revolution unfolds without, or even against, Uganda’s interests.
(Source: Watchdog Uganda – https://www.watchdoguganda.com/business/technology/20251128/186306)
