Geneva, Switzerland – Uganda has called for developing countries to play a central role in shaping global artificial intelligence (AI) governance, arguing that international policies, standards and regulatory frameworks must be developed with, rather than for, the Global South. The appeal was made during the High-Level Governmental Plenary Segment of the United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance held in Geneva on 7 July. The dialogue was co-chaired by El Salvador and Estonia with support from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNESCO and other United Nations partners.
Delivering Uganda’s national statement on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to responsible AI governance that promotes sustainable development, inclusive digital transformation and equitable global cooperation.
Hon. Odria emphasised that Uganda was not attending the dialogue merely to adopt policies developed elsewhere but to actively contribute to designing the global AI governance framework. He said Uganda views artificial intelligence as a strategic tool for national development and economic transformation rather than a source of uncertainty. The Minister noted that the country’s ambition to expand its economy tenfold to USD 500 billion by 2040 would be driven by agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, science, technology and innovation, with AI expected to play a significant role across these sectors.
He added that Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap provides the foundation for building a resilient digital economy through investments in digital infrastructure, innovation, skills development, data protection and digital public services. However, Hon. Odria warned that the benefits of AI would remain unevenly distributed unless the international community addressed disparities in computing infrastructure, access to data and technical expertise. He observed that Africa currently possesses less than one per cent of the world’s AI computing capacity, a gap he said threatens to limit the continent’s participation in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Uganda therefore called for stronger international partnerships to improve access to computing infrastructure, financing and capacity-building for developing countries. The Minister stressed that such cooperation should be based on equal partnerships that empower countries to build their own capabilities rather than create dependency. On the governance of AI, Uganda advocated for interoperable and standards-based regulatory approaches that would enable AI innovations developed in countries such as Uganda to gain international recognition while avoiding fragmented regulatory systems.
The Minister further underscored the importance of transparency, accountability and human oversight in AI governance, saying these principles are essential to protect all people, particularly communities whose languages, cultures and data remain underrepresented in AI development. Uganda also welcomed the inaugural report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and pledged to contribute actively to future discussions under the Global Dialogue. The country encouraged the panel to draw extensively on research, expertise and evidence from the Global South.
Reaffirming Uganda’s commitment to international cooperation, Hon. Odria said effective AI governance must be shaped at national, regional, continental and global levels, with developing countries participating as equal partners in drafting the emerging global framework. He concluded by pledging Uganda’s full and constructive engagement in the ongoing UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
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