Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa signs a chart to mark the launch of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Internet Governance. Photo/Courtesy of The Internet Society of Uganda
In an era where digital transformation is reshaping economies and societies, equipping stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to engage in global internet policy processes is more critical than ever. The Uganda School on Internet Governance (USIG) in its latest edition, continues to play a vital role in building that national capacity and empowering voices that shape Uganda’s digital future.
Launched as part of a broader effort to raise awareness and strengthen Uganda’s participation in Internet governance, USIG offers a platform for diverse actors, including civil society, government representatives, the private sector, academia, and youth to understand, contribute to, and influence the policies and norms that define the internet.
The 2025 edition of USIG, held on April 28 at the Nakawa ICT Innovation Hub, was attended by 40 former fellows and new participants from across the country. This year’s program focused on connecting global internet governance processes to Uganda’s local digital development efforts.
Sessions unpacked complex global frameworks such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the WSIS+20 review, and the UN-led Global Digital Compact (GDC).
Ms Beatrice Kayaga, the projects coordinator of Internet Society Uganda Chapter, highlighted the school’s commitment to localising global digital conversations and ensuring more inclusive, informed participation.
She emphasised the growing need for capacity building in light of Uganda’s 13 million internet users, many of whom remain digitally excluded due to infrastructure, cost, and literacy challenges.
Jesse Nathan Kalange, vice president of the Internet Society Uganda Chapter, introduced the school’s objectives, calling on participants to become proactive agents in shaping digital policy. He stressed the importance of aligning Uganda’s digital ambitions with international frameworks while fostering homegrown solutions that respond to local challenges and priorities.
Policy makers on board
On the sidelines of the Uganda Internet Governance Forum (UIGF) 2025 held under the theme Building Uganda’s digital Governance Together on April 30 at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, participants witnessed the launch of the inaugural Uganda Parliamentary Internet Governance Forum to help steer the body and schools in the right direction policy wise.
Ms Sarah Opendi, the chairperson, Uganda Parliamentary Internet Governance Forum (UPIGF), revealed that they have been having engagements globally on challenges of the internet and utilisation and felt it wise to have in country forums which gave the idea of the Uganda parliamentary forum on the internet governance.
“Internet has shaped social instruction, work, education and how we live our day-to-day lives. Despite the presence of the internet, we do not have enough knowledge on how internet works due to its complexity, and that is why it has to be managed by laws,” Opendi said.
She revealed that they agreed to form the African Parliamentary networks to drive the agenda in different countries to advocate for safer and available internet.
“Aware that internet plays a big role, the Parliamentary forum will advocate for policies and standards regarding the utilisation of the internet. We need greater collaboration from the executive and legislature to ensure freedom of speech. The challenges paused by technology are many, our laws need to be reviewed to avoid disenfranchising anyone with hate speech.” Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa welcomed the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Internet Governance, saying with the forum, parliamentarians should focus on more internet penetration and affordability.
“I am excited about the regional and continental efforts to have harmonised internet that works for all. This is a critical idea I strongly support. It is part of our everyday life. We are digitally controlled. Forums like these are a clarion call to all stakeholders to ensure technology does not erode humanity,” Tayebwa noted.
Minister of ICT and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi signs a chart to mark the launch of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Internet Governance. Looking on is Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and MP Sarah Opendi (right). Photo/Courtesy of The Internet Society of Uganda
Mr Tayebwa explained that technology is playing a critical role in parenting than parents and with proper laws, people should be able to control and govern the internet, not the other way round.
“We must have collaboration in regulating the internet deeply. Use the internet responsibly such that it can be beneficial to society.” The Uganda Parliamentary Internet Governance Forum is expected to serve as a regular platform for lawmakers and stakeholders to exchange ideas, monitor progress and craft policies that protect citizens while promoting innovation.
Youth Mr Innocent Adriko, the Internet Society Foundation, programme coordinator, said as the digital revolution accelerates, youth are stepping up to shape the policies that will define Uganda’s internet future.
“The sixth edition of the Uganda Youth Internet Governance Forum (UYIGF) 2025, held on April 29 at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, provided a critical platform for young voices to weigh in on digital governance, innovation, and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI),” he said.
The UYIGF was founded in 2020 to accelerate youth participation in Internet Governance policy discussions in Uganda. This year's forum brought together over 80 youth leaders, innovators, policy experts, and civil society to address both opportunities and challenges in Uganda’s digital landscape.
In his remarks, Kalange, emphasised the importance of investing in digital literacy, capacity building, and inclusive policy frameworks that place youth at the centre of internet development.
Challenges Participants acknowledged that while Uganda has made progress in expanding digital access, several challenges such as low internet penetration in rural areas, digital illiteracy among elderly and marginalised communities, cybersecurity threats and limited public awareness still persist.
Other challenges also include policy and regulatory gaps, particularly around startup support and data governance, the high costs of digital infrastructure and inadequate enforcement of e-governance initiatives.
Throughout the program, there was a strong call to invest in ICT infrastructure in underserved regions, promote capacity-building programs and digital literacy initiatives plus strengthening public-private partnerships to spur innovation.
Way forward
The UYIGF 2025 ended with a session where attendees shared personal reflections, pitched ideas, and discussed actionable steps to keep youth engaged in national and global internet governance dialogues. Kalange emphasised that much as regulation of the internet is much needed, the government should ensure last-mile connection before regulation.
“Available content online must be regulated first. Content based on tribalism, political bias and misinformation does not thrive. For education, we should ensure it is the right research that is published and productive for the education system. For AI, work should be done to see how it can be regulated.” The forum reaffirmed that Ugandans are not just passive users of digital tools, but active builders of digital futures.
With the right infrastructure, inclusive policies, and continuous dialogue, young people in Uganda are poised to lead the next wave of Africa’s digital transformation. As the digital ecosystem evolves, schools such as USIG are essential in preparing Ugandan stakeholders to navigate and shape the future of the internet.
The 2025 edition has reaffirmed that building local capacity and fostering meaningful participation in global digital processes is not only strategic but necessary for sustainable digital development.
