AI regulation in Uganda: laws & policy (2026)
AI in Uganda: proposed.
Uganda has no dedicated AI law in force as of May 2026. The government is developing a National AI and Emerging Technologies Strategy under a Cabinet directive, led by the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance with an 11-member National AI Task Force guiding the process. In the interim, AI-relevant data governance is covered by the Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019, while stakeholder consultations and a UNESCO AI Readiness Assessment process (launched February 2026) are shaping the forthcoming framework.
Legal framework
National AI and Emerging Technologies Strategy (in development, 2025-2026), led by the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance; Data Protection and Privacy Act No. 9 of 2019 as primary applicable law; NITA-U as IT regulatory authority
Key points: artificial intelligence in Uganda
No dedicated AI law
As of May 2026, Uganda has enacted no AI-specific legislation or binding sectoral AI rules. Policy development began in earnest following a Cabinet directive, but a formal law has not been tabled in Parliament.
National AI & Emerging Technologies Strategy in drafting
The Ministry of ICT & National Guidance is leading multi-stakeholder consultations to finalize a National AI and Emerging Technologies Strategy (covering AI, blockchain, cloud computing, big data, and quantum computing). As of March 2026, workshops to refine the draft strategy were still ongoing.
Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019 as interim AI anchor
The Data Protection and Privacy Act No. 9 of 2019, administered by NITA-U's Personal Data Protection Office, is the primary existing law applicable to AI systems that process personal data, covering data collection, processing obligations, and data subject rights.
National AI Task Force established
An 11-member National AI Task Force drawn from government, academia, and technical institutions was established to anchor coordination and policy coherence during the strategy development process.
UNESCO AI Readiness Assessment launched (February 2026)
In February 2026, Uganda launched the UNESCO Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) process, convening government, academia, private sector, and civil society to inform governance design, aligned with UNESCO's 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
CIPESA rights-based policy recommendations (2024-2025)
The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) published a November 2024 policy brief and February 2025 framework recommending that Uganda adopt a National AI Strategy, establish a formal AI governance institution, and enact an AI-specific legal framework grounded in human rights.
Sources
- ict.go.ug/media/news/shaping-ugandas-ai-future
- ict.go.ug/media/news/ministry-engages-stakeholders-on-ugandas-national-emerging
- nita.go.ug/laws-and-regulations/data-protection-and-privacy-act-no-9-2019
- ict.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Data-Protection-and-Privacy-Act-2019.pdf
- cipesa.org/2025/02/ugandas-ai-framework-a-rights-based-policy-playbook/
- cipesa.org/wp-content/files/briefs/An_Artificial_Intelligence_Eco-System_for_Uga
- unesco.org/en/articles/building-blocks-ethical-and-responsible-ai-governance-uga
- ubc.go.ug/2025/06/27/uganda-reiterates-global-commitment-to-ethical-ai-at-unesc
- techafricanews.com/2026/03/17/uganda-advances-emerging-technologies-strategy-with-multi-
- iafrica.com/uganda-begins-drafting-national-ai-policy-to-balance-innovation-and-d
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Next topicOrientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026