For an explanation of how to read this resource, refer to the guide at the end.

AI Regulation

There is no regulation specifically governing AI in the country.

Definitions of AI

As the country is yet to establish AI regulations, there is no formal definition of AI.

Core Principles

As the country is yet to establish AI regulations, there is no formal statement of core AI principles.

Public Consultations

Based on publicly available information, we have not found evidence of invitations for public input on AI governance in the country.

Existing Legal Framework

A non-exhaustive list of regulations that might affect AI in the country includes:

• Constitution of Uganda¹
• Uganda Vision 2040²
• Third National Development Plan (NDP III) 2020/21 - 2024/25³
• Digital Uganda Vision⁴
• Digital Transformation Roadmap 2023/2024 - 2027/2028⁵
• Uganda’s National 4IR Strategy⁶
• National Information and Communications Technology Policy for Uganda, dated October 2014⁷
• National Electronic Government (e-Government) Policy Framework, dated June 2011⁸
• National Broadband Policy, dated September 2018⁹
• National Cyber Security Strategy¹⁰
• Uganda Communications Act, 2013¹¹
• Electronic Transactions Act, 2011¹²
• Electronic Transactions Regulations, 2013¹³
• Regulation of Interception of Communications Act, 2010¹⁴
• National Information Technology Authority - Uganda (E-Government) Regulations, 2015¹⁵
• Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019¹⁶
• Data Protection and Privacy Regulations, 2021¹⁷
• Access to Information Act, 2005¹⁸
• Computer Misuse Act, 2011¹⁹

Human Rights

The UDHR was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948. Its principles are considered universal and applicable to all UN member states. As a member of the UN, Uganda has committed to upholding the principles of the UDHR. The Constitution of Uganda outlines various national objectives and directive principles of State policy, including those relating to education, health services, and work (Objective XIV).²⁰ It also includes provisions that protect fundamental human rights, such as Article 27, which guarantees the right to privacy (protection from unlawful searches of the person, home, or other property; protection from unlawful entry of premises; and protection from interference with the privacy of the home, correspondence, communication, or other property). Other protections include the rights to equality and non-discrimination (Article 21), life (Article 22), human dignity (Article 24), freedom of expression (Article 29), and education (Article 30). Uganda has ratified several key international human rights instruments, including the ACHPR, ICCPR, and ICESCR. However, the country has not signed or ratified the Malabo Convention.

Regulators

A non-exhaustive list of regulators that might impact AI in the country includes:

• Ministry of ICT and National Guidance²¹
• National Information Technology Authority - Uganda (NITA-U)²²
• Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)²³
• Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO)²⁴
• Uganda National Computer Emergency Response Team/Coordination Center (CERT.UG/CC)²⁵
• Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)²⁶
• Uganda Human Rights Commission²⁷

R&D and Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives

Based on publicly available information, we have not found evidence of significant investments or multi-stakeholder initiatives on AI within the country.

Professional/Industry Associations

Based on publicly available information, we have not found evidence of professional or industry associations dedicated to AI in the country. However, the Uganda National Association for Computer Users (UNACU) is an association with a broad scope that could include AI.²⁸

Advisory Bodies and Expert Groups

In 2018, President Yoweri Museveni appointed an Expert National Task Force on the Fourth Industrial Revolution as a multi-stakeholder advisory body to guide Uganda’s adoption of emerging technologies such as AI.²⁹

In July 2024, UCC inaugurated a national AI task force to guide the integration of AI into the country’s communications sector.³⁰

Guide

1. AI Regulation: The term "regulation", as used in this resource, encompasses measures ranging from binding laws to national AI policies and strategies, government proposals, advisory guidelines, and industry standards that address AI systems and their implications.
2. Existing Legal Framework: This section outlines the relevant legal framework, excluding any AI-specific regulations presented in the initial section.
3. Human Rights: The following terms have the stated meanings: "ACHPR" means the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, "ICCPR" means the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, "ICESCR" means the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, "Malabo Convention" means the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, "UDHR" means the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and "UN" means the United Nations. Any reference to an “Article” or “Section” of the Constitution is to the version of the Constitution referenced herein.
4. Advisory Bodies and Expert Groups: This section excludes legislative and parliamentary committees.