Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant future. It is here. And it is reshaping how businesses operate, how information spreads, and how work gets done.
But who is watching the machines?
Uganda’s professional company secretaries—the governance professionals who ensure boards and corporations operate legally and ethically—are raising an alarm. At their 14th Annual Directors and Company Secretaries Conference, they issued a unified call: the government must enact AI legislation now, before the technology outpaces regulation.
The Warning: Ethics and Accountability
Jane Okot P’Bitek Langoya, Chairperson of ICSA Uganda (the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators), delivered the most striking warning:
“Today, you see a picture or video on WhatsApp, and you can’t tell if it’s real or manipulated. AI can alter images and videos to create actions that are not genuine. This is a major concern.”
Her concern extends beyond deepfakes and manipulated media. She warned that AI systems, lacking human emotions and moral reasoning, make decisions that can harm individuals and communities without any mechanism for accountability.
“The major threat is the ethical component,” Langoya said, calling for legislation that covers the entire AI development chain—from innovators and developers to end-users.
The Job Security Question
Perhaps the most immediate concern for ordinary Ugandans is employment. Langoya did not sugarcoat the reality:
“AI doesn’t have emotions like us. We are reaching a point where people will lose jobs, and this is not what we want as a country. We need solutions to upskill people and help them work alongside AI.”
This is not fear-mongering. Global trends indicate that up to 40% of jobs are being redefined by automation and artificial intelligence. The World Economic Forum predicts that while AI will create 97 million new jobs by 2025, it will also displace 85 million existing ones.
For Uganda, with 4.2 million young people classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) and 700,000 new labor market entrants each year, the stakes could not be higher.
The Governance Gap: Why Legislation Is Urgent
Peter Kyambadde, a Partner at KPMG, approached the issue from a corporate governance perspective:
“Boards must integrate AI into governance structures to remain competitive.”
He argued that companies that ignore AI do so at their own peril. But integration without regulation is dangerous. Without legal frameworks, companies may use AI in ways that:
| Risk | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Discrimination | AI algorithms trained on biased data make unfair hiring, lending, or promotion decisions |
| Lack of transparency | No one understands how decisions are made—or who is responsible when things go wrong |
| Data privacy violations | AI systems collect and process personal data without adequate protection |
| Accountability gaps | No legal entity can be held responsible for AI-caused harm |
| Misinformation | AI-generated content spreads false information at scale |
Currently, AI is only comprehensively regulated in one jurisdiction: the European Union, which passed the EU AI Act in 2024. Uganda has no specific AI legislation.
What AI Legislation Should Include
Drawing from the conference discussions and international best practices, here is what Ugandan AI legislation should address:
| Component | What It Would Do |
|---|---|
| Risk classification | Categorize AI systems by risk level (unacceptable, high, limited, minimal) |
| Transparency requirements | Require disclosure when content is AI-generated |
| Human oversight | Mandate human review for high-stakes AI decisions |
| Data protection | Regulate how AI systems collect and process personal data |
| Accountability framework | Assign legal responsibility for AI-caused harm |
| Non-discrimination rules | Prohibit AI systems that produce discriminatory outcomes |
| Upskilling mandates | Require employers to train workers whose jobs are affected by AI |
| Enforcement mechanism | Create a regulatory body with inspection and penalty powers |
“The government needs to enact an AI law that protects individuals and regulates the entire AI development chain, from innovators to end-users,” Langoya stated.
Why Uganda Cannot Afford to Wait
The Youth Population Factor
Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world—over 73 percent under the age of 30. This is either a demographic dividend or a demographic disaster, depending on how well young people are prepared for the changing economy.
Early AI regulation sends a signal to investors, educators, and young people themselves: Uganda is thinking seriously about the future.
The Misinformation Crisis
As Langoya noted, Ugandans already cannot tell whether WhatsApp images are real. During election seasons, manipulated media could spark violence. During health outbreaks, fake information could cost lives. The problem will only worsen as AI generation tools become more sophisticated and accessible.
The Investment Climate
International investors are increasingly asking about AI governance before committing capital. Companies want to know: Is it legal to use AI here? What are the data protection rules? Will my AI system comply with local laws? Uganda cannot answer these questions today.
What Other African Countries Are Doing
| Country | AI/Automation Legislation Status |
|---|---|
| Mauritius | First African country with a national AI strategy (2018) |
| South Africa | Published AI discussion paper; drafting framework |
| Kenya | Developing AI and blockchain policy |
| Rwanda | National AI strategy under development |
| Nigeria | National AI strategy launched in 2025 |
| Egypt | National AI strategy launched in 2021 |
| Uganda | No specific AI legislation; general data protection law exists |
Uganda is falling behind its continental peers.
What Businesses Can Do Now
While waiting for legislation, company secretaries and boards can take immediate action:
| Action | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Conduct AI audits | Identify where AI is being used in your organization |
| Develop internal AI policies | Set rules for acceptable AI use by employees |
| Invest in upskilling | Train workers to work alongside AI tools |
| Establish ethics committees | Review AI implementations before deployment |
| Document decisions | Create audit trails for AI-influenced outcomes |
| Consult legal counsel | Understand existing data protection obligations |
The Path Forward: Recommendations
Based on the conference discussions, here is what needs to happen:
For Government
- Draft AI legislation within 12 months – Establish legal guardrails before technology outpaces regulation
- Create a regulatory body – Dedicated agency to oversee AI implementation across sectors
- Invest in digital skills – Prepare the workforce for AI-augmented jobs
- Participate in continental efforts – Align with African Union AI strategy development
- Launch public awareness campaigns – Help citizens understand AI benefits and risks
For Businesses
- Integrate AI into board governance – Make AI oversight a board-level responsibility
- Develop internal policies – Set rules before external regulation requires them
- Invest in upskilling – Prepare workers for AI-augmented roles
- Document AI use – Create transparency for stakeholders and regulators
- Engage with policy development – Provide input to government as legislation is drafted
For Citizens
- Learn AI basics – Understand what AI can and cannot do
- Question what you see online – Verify before sharing
- Protect your data – Be careful what information you share with AI systems
- Demand accountability – Ask companies and government how AI affects you
- Upskill continuously – AI will change jobs; prepare to adapt
Conclusion: A Defining Moment
Uganda stands at a crossroads. AI will transform the economy, the workplace, and the information environment regardless of what the government does. The question is whether the country will shape that transformation or merely react to it.
The company secretaries have spoken clearly. Their message is not anti-technology. It is pro-accountability. They are not asking Uganda to reject AI. They are asking Uganda to govern it.
“We need solutions to upskill people and help them work alongside AI,” Langoya said.
That is the challenge. And the time to address it is now.
Do you think Uganda needs AI legislation? Are you worried about AI affecting your job or spreading misinformation? Share your views in the comments below.
