Hon. Nyombi Thembo Calls for Collaboration and Local Innovation to Drive Uganda’s Digital Economy

As Uganda continues its steady march toward a digitally empowered economy, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Hon. George William Nyombi Thembo, delivered a bold and visionary message at the opening of the 9th National Conference on Communications (NCC 2025). Speaking at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, Hon. Nyombi emphasized that Uganda’s success in the digital age depends on strategic collaboration and home-grown innovation.

His address, which resonated deeply with delegates from government, academia, and the private sector, focused on one clear idea: Uganda must move from being a consumer of foreign technology to a creator of local digital solutions if it is to build a sustainable digital economy.

The Power of Collaboration

Hon. Nyombi began his remarks by highlighting that the foundation of any successful innovation ecosystem is collaboration. He drew parallels with global technology hubs like Silicon Valley, where sustained progress is made possible through synergy between three key pillars — academia, industry, and government.

“A successful innovative ecosystem thrives where academia, the private sector, and the regulator work together. Each plays a distinct but complementary role — researchers generate ideas, the private sector commercializes them, and the regulator provides the enabling environment,” he explained.

He noted that in Uganda’s context, this tripartite collaboration is essential to bridge the gap between research and real-world application. Without effective coordination among these sectors, innovations often remain confined to laboratories or student projects instead of reaching the market to make tangible social and economic impact.

💡 Innovation Must Have Commercial Value

In his remarks, Hon. Nyombi underscored that sustainability in innovation is achieved only when ideas are connected to the realities of the marketplace. He urged universities and innovators to embed commercial value into their research, ensuring that innovations are not just creative but also economically viable.

“Every innovation must have commercial value to ensure sustainable academic value,” he stated. “This is why the private sector’s involvement is critical — because they are glued to the market.”

He explained that this approach not only ensures continuity for innovators but also contributes to national economic growth by creating employment opportunities, attracting investment, and encouraging the development of digital enterprises.

🧭 Aligning with the NCC 2025 Theme

Echoing the conference’s theme — “Harnessing Digital Innovation to Power Sustainable Local Solutions for Uganda’s Development Goals” — Hon. Nyombi reaffirmed UCC’s commitment to fostering innovation that aligns with the country’s long-term strategic objectives, particularly Vision 2040 and the Digital Uganda Vision.

He reminded delegates that Uganda’s development cannot depend solely on imported technology, as the local context demands tailor-made solutions that reflect the country’s unique challenges and opportunities. Through platforms such as the NCC, UCC aims to provide a space where innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers can share knowledge and collaborate to build solutions that are practical, scalable, and sustainable.

🇺🇬 Prioritizing Local Innovation for National Growth

One of the most compelling sections of Hon. Nyombi’s speech focused on the urgent need for Uganda to prioritize local innovation. He observed that ICT services are now widely consumed across the country, from mobile applications to digital payment systems. However, he expressed concern that most of these tools are imported, leading to a significant outflow of national income.

“Ugandans must move beyond being mere buyers of foreign applications and software,” he said. “We must become participants and creators of our own innovations to ensure that our country receives a net benefit and to avoid the hemorrhage of foreign exchange.”

Hon. Nyombi noted that the increasing reliance on foreign technologies not only drains financial resources but also limits Uganda’s ability to define its own digital destiny. He called upon innovators, entrepreneurs, and academic institutions to develop Ugandan-made alternatives — digital products that can compete both locally and regionally.

A Call to Action for Ugandan Innovators

In closing, Hon. Nyombi issued a challenge to Uganda’s growing community of innovators to turn necessity into invention. He urged them to create indigenous replacements for popular global platforms, reminding them that innovation often emerges from solving pressing local problems.

“Innovation is a function of necessity,” he emphasized. “If we want to thrive as a nation, we must innovate out of our own challenges and build solutions that reflect our identity, culture, and needs.”

His message served as both an inspiration and a call to accountability — encouraging innovators to think locally, act creatively, and collaborate widely. He affirmed that UCC remains dedicated to creating policies and programs that nurture innovation, such as the ICT Innovation Fund, ICT Clubs in secondary schools, and partnerships with institutions like ISBAT University, Gulu University, and KAWA Uganda.

The 9th National Conference on Communications continues to be a powerful platform for advancing Uganda’s digital agenda. By uniting academia, industry, and regulators, it provides fertile ground for collaboration, research, and the exchange of ideas that will shape the nation’s technological future.

As Hon. Nyombi Thembo concluded, the path forward for Uganda’s digital economy is clear: collaborate, innovate locally, and commercialize sustainably.

🎥 Watch the full speech here: