Digital Drive in Tororo: ICT PS Dr. Aminah Zawedde Challenges District Leaders to Embed Tech Experts for Faster Service Delivery

Tororo, Uganda — In a push to accelerate Uganda’s digital transformation at the grassroots, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, on a recent visit engaged Tororo District leadership in a high-level review of the performance of critical government digital platforms.

Dr. Zawedde held discussions with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), and other district officials to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, and chart practical solutions for systems including the Parish Development Management Information System (PDMIS), the Education Management Information System (EMIS), and other key digital tools supporting public service delivery.

The meeting focused on how these platforms are performing on the ground in Tororo. PDMIS, a cornerstone of the Parish Development Model (PDM), is designed to track beneficiary data, monitor fund disbursements, and improve accountability in community-level economic interventions. EMIS, meanwhile, supports the education sector by enabling better management of school data, learner records, and resource allocation. Officials examined implementation challenges such as connectivity gaps, user capacity, data quality, and system uptake, while exploring actionable remedies tailored to the district’s realities.

Beyond the technical review, Dr. Zawedde issued a clear call to action: district leadership must prioritise the formal inclusion of ICT and Communication Officers within the local government structure. She emphasised that these professionals play a vital role in driving digital transformation, ensuring systems are effectively used, supporting staff and citizens in adopting technology, and ultimately improving the quality and reach of public services.

“Their presence is not optional if we are serious about delivering efficient, transparent, and citizen-centred services,” the Permanent Secretary stressed, underscoring the link between skilled digital personnel and successful rollout of government programmes.

The engagement forms part of broader efforts by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance to strengthen digital capacity across local governments. By working directly with district teams, the ministry aims to close the gap between national digital strategies and day-to-day service delivery in places like Tororo, where effective systems can directly impact livelihoods, education outcomes, and administrative efficiency.

As Uganda continues its push under the Parish Development Model and wider digital transformation agenda, visits such as this signal a shift toward practical, on-the-ground problem-solving. For Tororo District, the message from the PS was unambiguous: prioritise people with the right digital skills, resolve system challenges collaboratively, and ensure technology translates into better services for citizens.

The Ministry is expected to continue similar engagements across other districts to sustain momentum on digital public service reforms.