March 2025 | Kampala, Uganda. The National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U) has officially launched the Data Center Market Study Report; a key milestone under the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project (UDAP-GovNet) during a high-level stakeholder engagement held at the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala.
The study sets the foundation for the establishment of Uganda’s Third National Data Centre, aimed at strengthening the country’s digital backbone through secure, scalable, AI-ready, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure.
Strengthening Uganda’s Digital Backbone
Presiding over the event, Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, Executive Director of NITA-U, received the report alongside senior representatives from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and the UDAP team. The report outlines a strategic roadmap to meet Uganda’s rising demand for data hosting services and support its ambition to become a regional digital hub.
“A strong and efficient data center ecosystem is the backbone of digital government. Through this study, we are aligning Uganda’s infrastructure with international standards to ensure sustainability, data sovereignty, and better service delivery,” said Dr. Mugasa.
Key Focus Areas of the Study
The market study was designed to assess Uganda’s current data center landscape and provide actionable recommendations for future growth. Its core objectives included:
Mapping existing public and private data center infrastructure
Identifying service gaps, energy efficiencies, and growth opportunities
Benchmarking Uganda’s readiness against global data standards
Engaging stakeholders from MDAs, the private sector, and development partners
Strategic Recommendations
The report presents forward-looking guidance to support national ICT infrastructure development, including:
Integration of green technologies for long-term sustainability
Strengthening cybersecurity protocols for resilient digital systems
Encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) to attract investment and innovation
Looking Ahead
The findings from the study will inform the design, investment, and regulation of future data center projects across Uganda. This includes shaping policies for digital infrastructure, guiding resource allocation, and catalyzing private sector collaboration.
NITA-U remains committed to evidence-based planning and inclusive stakeholder engagement to accelerate Uganda’s transition to a secure, efficient, and digitally empowered nation.
