Section

Technology

Digital infrastructure, internet trends, startups, and the technology stories changing how people work and connect.

Business 23 March 2026

Uganda's Heavy Smartphone Taxes Trap Millions on Feature Phones

Uganda's multiple taxes on imported smartphones, including 10% import duty, 6% withholding tax, 1.5% infrastructure levy, and 18% VAT, nearly double device prices, keeping smartphone penetration at just 33% amid a population of 50 million. While neighbors like Kenya and Rwanda have cut taxes to boost adoption, Uganda faces smuggling and counterfeits as affordability lags. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/prosper/high-taxes-keep-millions-of-ugandans-stuck-on-basic-phones-5399930

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • smartphones
  • taxes
  • digital divide

Health 23 March 2026

Mulago Hospital Launches WhatsApp Bot for Remote Cancer Biopsy Results

Mulago National Referral Hospital has rolled out a WhatsApp bot to let patients check cancer biopsy results remotely, cutting down on queues and travel expenses. Led by Dr. Sharif Musoke, the tool provides instant updates and helps spot delays in processing. Source: https://observer.ug/news/mulago-rolls-out-whatsapp-bot-to-access-cancer-results-remotely

Source: The Observer (Uganda)
  • mulago
  • whatsapp
  • cancer

Technology 21 March 2026

Ugandan Prodigy Declan Kintu Rises to AI Stardom in Canada at 27

Declan Trevor Kintu, a 27-year-old Ugandan, transformed from coding in Kampala school labs to winning international hackathons and securing a top AI research role at Durham College in Toronto. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/life/-how-declan-trevor-kintu-became-a-canadian-ai-research-star-at-27-5398224

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • ai
  • uganda
  • canada

Technology 19 March 2026

Uganda Govt Targets 20,000 Innovations Every 5 Years to Drive Economic Growth

Uganda's government aims to produce 20,000 innovations every five years across key sectors to fuel long-term economic and industrial development. The plan seeks to nurture 100 unicorn companies valued over $1 billion each, with support for scaling local innovations. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/inside-govt-plan-to-generate-20-000-innovations-every-5-years-5397266

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • innovations
  • uganda government
  • science technology

Technology 19 March 2026

IT Experts in Kigezi Flag Infrastructure Gaps Hindering Tech Innovation

IT practitioners from Uganda's Kigezi sub-region have pinpointed unreliable internet, electricity shortages, and policy gaps as major barriers to technological advancements in rural education institutions. They call for swift government action to bolster infrastructure and update regulations. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/practitioners-highlight-hindrances-to-technological-innovations--5397242

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • it practitioners
  • kigezi
  • emerging technologies

lifestyle 19 March 2026

How My iPhone Steals My Time and Strains Real Connections

As Apple marks its 50th anniversary on April 1, a personal reflection reveals the iPhone's addictive grip, turning it into a time thief that erodes human interactions despite its revolutionary promise. Studies highlight widespread smartphone addiction affecting a quarter of the global population, mirroring real-life stories of digital overreach. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/entertainment/my-iphone-a-thief-of-time-5395928

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • iphone
  • addiction
  • apple

national 19 March 2026

UBOS Partners with Cultural Institutions to Enhance Decentralized Data Collection

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) is collaborating with cultural institutions like kingdoms to shift from centralized data production to a decentralized model, improving data quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. This approach empowers local entities to manage their own statistics while UBOS maintains a national database. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/cultural-institutions-tipped-to-boost-data-collection-quality-5396212

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • ubos
  • data-collection
  • cultural-institutions

news 18 March 2026

The Rise and Fall of Uganda's Computer Misuse Act

Uganda's Computer Misuse Act, introduced by Kampala Central MP Muhamad Nsereko, gained rapid traction before ultimately declining in prominence. The legislation passed Parliament with widespread support amid applause. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/inside-the-rise-and-fall-of-computer-misuse-act-5396012

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • computer-misuse-act
  • muhamad-nsereko
  • uganda-parliament

Business 16 March 2026

Uganda's Mobile Money Taxes Threaten Digital Financial Inclusion Gains

Uganda's multiple taxes on mobile money transactions, including excise duties on withdrawals and agent commissions, are driving up costs and pushing users back to cash. Experts warn this undermines financial inclusion despite the sector's massive growth to 43 million accounts and Shs326 trillion in transactions. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/prosper/mobile-money-taxes-reverse-digital-financial-inclusion-5392494

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • mobile money
  • taxes
  • financial inclusion

Business 16 March 2026

ProGigFinder: New Platform Tackles Uganda's Youth Unemployment Crisis

A Ugandan entrepreneur has launched ProGigFinder, a digital marketplace connecting skilled workers with job opportunities to combat rising youth unemployment. With nearly half of youth aged 18-30 jobless or underemployed, the platform enables profiles, bookings, and reviews for gigs in technical and digital services. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/technology/new-digital-platform-targets-uganda-s-rising-unemployment-5392622

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • unemployment
  • youth
  • gig economy

Technology 12 March 2026

Uganda Contracts Kenyan Firm to Develop AI Regulation Strategy

The Ugandan government has engaged a Kenyan firm to craft a national strategy for regulating AI and emerging technologies, focusing on responsible adoption in sectors like health and agriculture. The initiative aims to boost digital transformation, economic growth, and data governance while aligning with the National Development Plan IV. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-contracts-kenyan-firm-to-regulate-ai-in-uganda-5389474

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • ai
  • uganda
  • ict

Health 12 March 2026

Butabika Hospital's Digital Centre Empowers Mental Health Patients with Tech Skills

A new digital community centre at Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital provides free computer training to patients, staff, and locals, aiding recovery and societal reintegration amid rising mental health cases. Launched with partner support, it has trained over 466 people since 2024. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/digital-hub-offers-lifeline-to-butabika-hospital-patients-5389482

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • butabika-hospital
  • mental-health
  • digital-training

Technology 12 March 2026

Centenary Group to Launch Uganda's Inaugural Tier III Data Centre in Masaka

Centenary Group is preparing to open Uganda's first Tier III data centre in Masaka this July, promising 99.982% uptime to bolster the nation's digital economy under NDP IV. The open-access facility will support banks, telecoms, and government while keeping data sovereign within Uganda. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/first-tier-iii-data-centre-set-to-open-in-masaka-5389478

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • data-centre
  • tier-iii
  • masaka

Technology 10 March 2026

We will be the landlords of Uganda again

The signs are still early, but these sparks of innovation may signal the start of a nation. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/columnists/charles-onyango-obbo/we-will-be-the-landlords-of-uganda-again-5386932

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • tech

Technology 9 March 2026

The opportunity in cheaper Internet

The opportunity for transformative affordability lies in addressing structural cost drivers. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/prosper/the-opportunity-in-cheaper-internet-5384884

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)
  • tech