The Federation of Uganda Employers is advocating for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence to boost workplace productivity and efficiency by 2025. The chief executive officer, Douglas Opiyo highlights how AI-powered tools can provide advanced analytics and insights, enabling organizations to achieve more with fewer resources. Racheal Nabisubi reports.
Urgency for Technological Transformation
Opiyo emphasized the urgent need for both public and private sector players to embrace emerging technologies in order to remain competitive in the global market. “AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it is a present-day necessity. Organizations that fail to adapt will be left behind,” he said during a recent stakeholders’ forum in Kampala.
Roadmap to AI Adoption
According to the Federation, the roadmap to full AI integration by 2025 includes capacity building, infrastructure development, and the formulation of regulatory frameworks that safeguard data privacy and ethical use. Employers are also being encouraged to invest in employee training programs to ensure a smooth transition to AI-supported work environments.
Addressing Unemployment and Economic Growth
The initiative comes at a time when Uganda’s labor market is grappling with high unemployment rates and a growing youth population. By leveraging AI, Opiyo believes companies can open new avenues for job creation in sectors such as tech, data science, and machine learning, even as some traditional roles become automated.
Calls for Inclusive and Responsible AI Use
Experts in attendance welcomed the proposal, but called for caution and inclusivity. “We must ensure that the adoption of AI does not widen the digital divide,” said Sarah Kakai, a technology consultant. “Rural communities and low-skilled workers should be part of the conversation and benefit from this transformation.”
Nationwide Awareness Campaign in the Pipeline
The Federation plans to launch a national AI sensitization campaign later this year, in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, aimed at preparing organizations for the digital shift and creating awareness around the potential and risks of AI technologies.
The Way Forward
As the 2025 deadline approaches, stakeholders agree that a collective, multi-sectoral approach will be key to unlocking AI’s full potential while safeguarding human labor interests.
