Uganda Government centralises 800 ICT systems to curb duplication, improve efficiency

ICT and National Guidance Minister Justine Lumumba said about 380 of an estimated 800 government ICT systems have so far been brought under the coordination of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance as part of wider public sector digital reforms.

Government has centralised nearly half of its information and communication technology (ICT) systems in a bid to eliminate duplication, improve efficiency and strengthen digital service delivery across the public sector.

ICT and National Guidance Minister Justine Lumumba said about 380 of an estimated 800 government ICT systems have so far been brought under the coordination of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance as part of wider public sector digital reforms.

Speaking on NBS TV about the government’s digital transformation agenda on Thursday, Lumumba said the centralisation exercise is intended to establish a comprehensive register of all government ICT systems to prevent ministries, departments and agencies from procuring software that already exists elsewhere in government.

“Government took a decision to centralise ICT systems across government. Out of approximately 800 ICT systems, about 380 have so far been centralised. This will enable us to maintain a government systems register so that institutions do not procure systems that already exist. Addressing duplication is critical to improving efficiency and reducing wastage,” she said.

The minister said government has also leveraged legal reforms introduced in 2016 to expand the use of technology in promoting transparency and accountability, particularly in public procurement.

She said the reforms paved the way for the rollout of the electronic government procurement (e-procurement) system, which has digitised the entire procurement cycle.

“Through e-procurement, applications are submitted online, evaluations are conducted digitally, feedback is provided electronically and any party wishing to appeal can do so through the system,” Lumumba said.

She added that digitalisation is central to government’s ambition of accelerating economic growth under the National Development Plan IV and the Tenfold Growth Strategy.

According to Lumumba, Uganda’s target of expanding the economy from about US$50 billion to US$500 billion will require more than increased financing.

“It is not only about increasing resources. It is also about maximising time, embracing innovation and putting in place systems that enable us to deliver results more efficiently. We must improve productivity, increase production, enhance the quality of our goods and services, and position ourselves to compete effectively at the global level,” she said.

She said investments in digital government systems are expected to improve public sector efficiency, reduce costs, strengthen accountability and create an enabling environment for private sector growth.