Foreword Uganda is a progressive and developing country known for its rich heritage, culture, resources and people. It has immense growth prospects for developing world-class Information Technology (IT) industry and services so as to contribute substantially to the economic growth of Uganda. Its purpose is to ensure that Uganda is strategically positioned to attract international IT companies through the development of a suitable IT infrastructure. Government recognizes IT as the enabling tool for development of the country and this policy will support, the promotion of IT in various sectors including Natural Resource Management (Petroleum, Minerals, water bodies, etc). It will above all facilitate widespread roll-out of e-government services so as to actualize good governance and bring in efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. In the transformation of the rural economy into an information society, knowledge economy and the Information age, a combination of sociological, political, economical and technological factors are important to bring about changes to the social system. The scope of this transformation is global. This indicates that the regional and global competitiveness will depend on intensity of information technology adoption. Against this back ground, the information Technology Policy for Uganda has been developed in consultation with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, with the aim of fostering the development of IT as an industry as well as spearhead development of IT Enabled Services (ITES). The Policy has the following objectives: 1. To develop a harmonized national IT infrastructure that provides equitable access to foreign and local markets. 2. To provide leadership direction and vision to guide IT industry development. 3. To develop a critical mass of educated IT human resource at all levels to meet the local and export requirements. 4. To stimulate and support research and development in IT. 5. To promote widespread use of IT applications in both public and private sectors to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. 6. To develop national and adopt international standards and guidelines to support growth of IT industry in Uganda. 7. To develop an enabling legal and regulatory framework. 8. To establish incentives for both local and foreign investors to foster the development of the IT sector (hardware, software and service industry). 9. Promote use of IT systems in all government MDAs and LGs and businesses to usher in efficiency and effectiveness in-service delivery. iii