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By Proscovia Achomo Gulu city Residents of Gulu and the wider Acholi sub-region are set to benefit from improved access to government services following the establishment of a regional e-government service center by the National Information Technology Authorit
By Proscovia Achomo
Gulu city
Residents of Gulu and the wider Acholi sub-region are set to benefit from improved access to government services following the establishment of a regional e-government service center by the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U).
The facility, located at the Gulu Post Office that is currently under development with funding from the World Bank is expected to be completed within four months at a cost of UGX 4 billion with its operationalization scheduled for 2026/2027 financial year.
The project brings together key government bodies, including the Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and Posta Uganda, working collaboratively to expand access to e-government services.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Dr. Hatwib Executive Director NITA-UG, Mugasa, emphasized that without accessible service centers to guide users, many citizens—especially in underserved regions—would still face challenges benefiting from e-government services.
“When we commission the service center in the Acholi sub-region, we will ensure that all our digital systems, over 300 in total—are accessible to the people. This initiative will bring public services closer to the communities, making them sustainable, accessible, and empowering citizens to fully benefit from digital services.” Dr. Mugasa stated.
For many residents in the Acholi sub-region, accessing essential government services has long been a costly and time-consuming process.
Services such as national ID replacement, passport processing, and tax-related support often require travel to Kampala.
In addition to distance, residents face challenges including unreliable internet connectivity, high data costs, limited access to digital devices, and low levels of digital literacy. These barriers have made it difficult for many people to benefit from online government platforms.
The center will integrate more than 40 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including: National Identification and Registration Authority, Uganda Revenue Authority, Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, Public Service Commission among others.
According to Madeleine Mugisa, Service Delivery Specialist at NITA-U and the Project Manager, the Gulu project is part of a broader strategy to expand e-government services to underserved regions.
The initiative was first proposed nearly eight years ago by the World Bank, which advocated for expanding NITA-U services to Northern, Western, and Eastern Uganda.
Gulu District Chief Administrative Officer, Christopher Oketayot, welcomed the initiative and called for community support.
“We are grateful for this project. While such initiatives may not be immediately understood at the beginning, they ultimately bring significant benefits. As a district, we are committed to supporting its successful implementation,” he said.
Although NITA-U currently operates in 22 locations nationwide, access remains uneven. Two regional centers have already been completed in Kasese and Hoima, while four more—including Gulu—are expected to be delivered during the current financial year.
The Gulu center is part of a wider government effort to decentralize services and improve accessibility across Uganda. Similar centers are planned in Tororo and Mbarara.