ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN UGANDA’S PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: Efficiency vs. Surveillance

Uganda is steadily embracing digital transformation in governance. Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) promise to reshape public service delivery, with applications in automated workflows, predictive planning, and fraud detection. However, these developments come with concerns around privacy, bias, and state surveillance.

Lets explore the double-edged nature of AI adoption in Uganda’s public sector, identifying both the development potential and the governance risks, and provides policy recommendations for responsible implementation.

Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap (2023–2027) emphasizes innovation and automation in public administration. AI systems are already being piloted in areas such as:

·       Smart traffic and surveillance in Kampala;

·       Biometric-based citizen registration and verification;

·       Chatbots and virtual assistants in government portals;

·       Predictive analytics for healthcare and agriculture.

Despite these developments, Uganda lacks an AI-specific legal and ethical framework. Current regulatory instruments—such as the Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019)—are inadequate to address the complexities of AI governance.

Opportunities of AI in Public Administration

Area	AI Application	Development Benefit
Public Services	Chatbots, automation	Faster processing times, reduced human error and improved access
Budgeting	Predictive analytics	Data-driven planning
Health	Disease tracking	Early detection, faster response
Fraud Detection	Fraud detection tools	Anomaly detection in procurement, tax, and pensions- Improved revenue mobilization
Citizen Engagement	Chatbots and digital feedback loops	Real-Time Feedback, 24/7 Access to Government Information, Increased Government Accountability, Inclusive Participation, Early Warning for Service Failures

Emerging Risks and Challenges

·       Lack of Regulatory Framework: Uganda has no specific legislation governing AI deployment.

·       Weak Data Governance: Biometric and personal data collection outpaces enforcement of privacy laws, with no clear rules on retention, ownership, or cross-border sharing. especially in government-led programs.

·       Algorithmic Bias and Inequality: Algorithms may reinforce systemic inequalities if trained on incomplete or biased data.

·       Digital Authoritarianism: Facial recognition, social media monitoring, and predictive profiling could infringe on rights and suppress dissent, especially in politically sensitive contexts.

·       Limited Institutional Capacity: Many public institutions lack technical knowledge to procure, deploy, and audit AI tools responsibly.

Policy Recommendations

 

Develop a National AI Governance Framework

• Adopt a rights-based, pro-development AI strategy aligned with African Union guidelines on AI and emerging technologies.

• Include ethical principles, risk assessment tools, and cross-sector coordination mechanisms.

Strengthen Data Protection Implementation

·       Fully enforce the Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019).

·       Prioritize transparency in the collection, storage, and sharing of biometric data.

Create an Independent AI Oversight Mechanism

·      Mandate AI impact assessments for all public deployments.

·      Enable redress mechanisms for citizens affected by automated decisions.

Build Institutional and Technical Capacity

·       Equip ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) with AI literacy training.

·       Support partnerships with universities and research institutions on responsible AI.

Strengthen Data Protection Enforcement

·       Expand the mandate and resources of the Personal Data Protection Office to oversee AI use cases.

Engage the Public and Civil Society

·       Institutionalize citizen participation in the design and rollout of AI systems.

·       Promote awareness on digital rights and the ethical use of emerging technologies.

AI can be a powerful enabler of Uganda’s development agenda, but without foresight and regulation, it risks becoming a tool for control rather than empowerment. Balancing innovation with human rights is key to ensuring that AI serves the public interest rather than undermining democratic values. Uganda’s think tanks and policy actors must take the lead in shaping a locally grounded, rights-based AI governance framework that ensures innovation does not come at the cost of democracy or dignity.