By Our Reporter
Artificial intelligence is shifting from an emerging curiosity into a central pillar of Uganda’s development thinking, and 2026 is widely expected to be the year when this technology moves from early experimentation to practical nationwide deployment.
Around the world, AI is reshaping production, governance, and social systems. Uganda now stands at a moment where the foundations laid over the past two years—policy reforms, infrastructure investments, and new research partnerships—are beginning to align with the country’s long-term development aspirations.
The socio-economic transformation anticipated for 2026 hinges largely on the country’s ability to scale these early investments into real, people-centered solutions.
The breakthrough that first signaled Uganda’s serious entry into AI innovation was the partnership between the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Sunbird AI. Their collaboration produced Sunflower, a multilingual open-source language model that supports 31 local languages.
When Sunflower launched in October 2025, it was more than a technology demonstration; it represented the start of Uganda’s attempt to build AI systems that reflect its unique linguistic and cultural environment.
Many experts expect that by 2026, Sunflower will begin powering a range of public-sector platforms.
Government ministries and district service centers could begin using its translation capabilities to make public communication more inclusive, especially for rural communities. Courts may deploy voice-to-text tools in local languages, while health facilities could use AI-powered translation to bridge communication gaps with patients who speak little English.
Developers are already exploring ways to build new services on top of Sunflower, and 2026 is likely to see an expansion of local-language legal aid bots, automated agronomic advisory tools, and community information services. Because Uganda’s digital divide is heavily influenced by language barriers, these innovations could mark a turning point in public participation and service access.
The policy and institutional groundwork for AI is also set to deepen in 2026.
The Digital Transformation Roadmap identifies AI as an essential catalyst for the Digital Uganda Vision, and government leaders have repeatedly emphasized the urgency of establishing a comprehensive national AI policy.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde highlighted the need for a clear implementation plan, expanded national computing infrastructure, and large-scale skills development for public servants and young people. In 2026, the government is expected to roll out a national AI governance framework that sets rules for ethical deployment, guides investment, and outlines sector-specific requirements.
Alongside this, new data centers or upgraded computing facilities are likely to be introduced to support the growing demand for processing power. Through these initiatives, the government aims to ensure that Uganda’s AI ecosystem grows in a coordinated and safe manner.
Regulators are preparing for an active role as well.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has already established a committee dedicated to studying and advising on artificial intelligence adoption, and 2026 is expected to be the year when the first formal regulatory guidelines are released.
These regulations are anticipated to address AI in financial services, telecommunications, automated customer service systems, biometric technologies, and content generation.
According to Kenneth Tweheyo, Manager of Consumer Affairs at UCC, emerging technologies require proactive oversight to prevent misuse, protect consumers, and nurture innovation. He emphasized that without early regulation, Uganda risks facing challenges such as discrimination, misinformation, and irresponsible data use—issues that could undermine trust in digital systems. The upcoming guidelines are therefore expected to strike a balance between safeguarding consumers and fostering a competitive innovation environment.
Human development will also be a major pillar of Uganda’s 2026 AI agenda. The UNDP Human Development Report 2025 warns that AI can either reduce or widen inequality depending on how it is deployed. Uganda’s youthful population, large informal sector, and uneven digital access make equitable adoption crucial.
UNDP Resident Representative Nwanne Vwede-Obahor noted that although Uganda has made strong progress since the 1990s, inequality continues to limit human development outcomes. Ensuring that AI strengthens—rather than replaces—human capability will require investments in accessible tools for farmers, teachers, health workers, and small enterprises.
In 2026, experts anticipate AI-powered crop disease detection tools for farmers, blended learning platforms for rural schools, and early disease detection systems for health facilities. Gender inclusion will also be central, with AI expected to support programs that close persistent gaps in education, health, and economic opportunity
The Need for Skilling
Digital skilling for women and girls is expected to become a key priority, with new AI-supported training programs likely to emerge through public-private partnerships.
There is growing interest in using AI to support maternal health monitoring, design customized entrepreneurship training, and develop systems that detect patterns associated with gender-based violence. By embedding gender considerations into the design of AI programs, Uganda can ensure that women reap the benefits of technological progress.
For the country’s entrepreneurs and small businesses, AI is expected to become a routine part of business operations in 2026.
According to Lois Aber Kwikiriza of Stanbic Bank, many entrepreneurs are already experimenting with AI for accounting, inventory management, graphic design, contract drafting, and customer management. As AI tools become cheaper and more accessible, more small businesses are expected to adopt them as substitutes for administrative staff or expensive consultants.
Uganda’s creative sector is likely to be an early beneficiary. Musicians, filmmakers, designers, photographers, and writers are increasingly integrating AI to lower production costs and shorten creative cycles. As the creative economy grows, AI may help Ugandan content gain greater regional and international visibility.
Education sector reforms will also enter a new phase in 2026. The East African Quality Assurance Network has emphasized the role of AI in harmonizing standards across the region. Professor Mary Okwakol of the National Council for Higher Education has argued that AI will be essential for maintaining competitiveness in global higher education.
Universities are expected to expand their use of AI for plagiarism detection, research verification, student performance tracking, and personalized learning. With East Africa aiming to build a unified higher education area, AI-enabled verification systems could improve transparency in accreditation, student mobility, and institutional audits.
In cybersecurity, 2026 is likely to be a defining year. As more institutions adopt digital platforms, cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated. Experts such as Captain Abhay Agarwal and Abbas Haider have warned that organizations must adopt AI-driven security systems capable of detecting fraud, monitoring user behavior, and responding to threats in real time.
Banks, telecommunications companies, hospitals, and government institutions are anticipated to increase their investments in behavioral analytics, automated threat detection, and cloud-native security solutions. This trend reflects a broader shift toward integrating AI into the core of digital risk management.
AI 2026 Outlook in Industrialization
Artificial intelligence is fast becoming a defining force in Uganda’s industrialization agenda, with 2026 projected to mark a major shift toward AI-enabled manufacturing, factory automation, and smart industrial systems. Following global innovations showcased at the Mobile World Congress, Uganda is expected to increasingly adopt AI-powered factory automation, predictive maintenance tools, and intelligent energy management systems in its industrial parks. These technologies will help manufacturers cut operational costs, improve safety, enhance precision, and meet growing sustainability and market demands.
Ugandan companies are already demonstrating what the future could look like. Uganda Baati, one of the country’s oldest steel manufacturers, recently celebrated 60 years of innovation by showcasing how automation, digitization, and sustainability have become central to its operations. Speaking at the anniversary launch in Kampala, Board Chairman Dr. Alan Shonubi said Uganda Baati has consistently championed technologies that have reshaped East Africa’s steel sector.
“We were the first in the East African region to install an ultra-modern continuous galvanizing line. We also became the first to introduce ZincAL coating technology for all our roofing sheets, giving consumers greater durability and value,” Dr. Shonubi noted.
These innovations reflect a broader transformation in global manufacturing, where automation and digital technologies are essential—not optional—for competitiveness. As part of the Safal Group, Uganda Baati has aligned its modernization journey with global sustainability demands through strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Dr. Shonubi highlighted the company’s development of Safal Building Systems, which integrate environmentally friendly building designs, roofing, and solar technologies. He added that the company’s contributions to continental initiatives such as the Great Green Wall underscore its commitment to sustainable development.
The regional market trends further reinforce the importance of innovation. In the East African Community (EAC), steel consumption has surged over the past decade due to rapid industrialization and infrastructure growth. Between 2010 and 2019, net imports of steel grew by 11.4% annually, signaling both new opportunities and urgent pressure for local industries to digitize, automate, and scale.
Another front-runner in this industrial transition is Steel and Tube Industries Ltd (STIL). The company has embraced automation and digitization to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve production quality. STIL’s operations now incorporate advanced robotics, automated quality-control systems, and digital monitoring tools that streamline factory processes and strengthen worker safety by reducing exposure to hazardous environments.
According to Nirav Patel, STIL’s Chief Finance Officer, automation is now deeply rooted in the company’s production lines. “To a very big extent our production processes are automated with relatively modern technology. For example, we are using the latest technology in the production of steel construction rebars, the Steel & Tube TMX Bars,” he said.
Over the past decade, STIL has invested more than $100 million in expansion initiatives, including its Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) division launched in 2023. Digitization has also transformed customer-facing services, enabling more seamless and data-driven client interactions.
Meanwhile, Huawei’s rollout of AI-ready data storage and intelligent core networks indicates that Ugandan industries will soon have access to the advanced infrastructure needed to support large-scale automation and data processing.By 2026, these advancements—combined with national AI policies and growing private-sector adoption—are expected to reshape Uganda’s industrial landscape, making AI a central driver of competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainable economic growth