Kampala, Uganda – Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance on October 10, 2025, officially launched Sunflower, a new language model developed by Sunbird AI. Designed for Ugandans by Ugandans, Sunflower supports over 25 Ugandan languages, as well as Swahili and Kinyarwanda, earning it the nickname “ChatGPT for Uganda.”

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Zawedde highlighted the model’s potential to make digital information more accessible to all citizens. “Sunflower enables Ugandans to access vital information from health and agriculture to governance in the language they understand best. When language is no longer a barrier, inclusion becomes real,” she said.

The launch of Sunflower marks a significant milestone in the Ministry’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Strategy, underscoring Uganda’s commitment to ensuring that all citizens benefit from digital transformation. By integrating local languages into advanced AI tools, the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide, empower communities, and foster greater participation in Uganda’s evolving knowledge economy.

Sunflower demonstrates how homegrown innovation can address local needs, making technology more inclusive and relevant to everyday life. With this platform, users across the country can interact with AI in a familiar language, improving access to information, services, and opportunities.