The Mandate

To coordinate, promote and monitor IT development within the context of national social and economic development.

The Vision

A facilitator of a knowledge-based, globally competitive Uganda where social transformation and economic development is supported through IT enabled service.

The Mission Statement

To integrate Information Technology (IT) into National programs by focusing on establishment of coordinated and harmonised National IT systems.

 Functions of NITA-U

The main functions of NITA-U include the following:
i)    Providing first-level technical support and advice for critical Government IT systems including managing the utilization of the resources and infrastructure for centralized datacenter facilities for large systems through the provision of the specialized technical skills;
ii)    Identifying and advising Government on all matters of IT development, utilization and deployment. The specific expertise shall include, but not limited to, areas of Networking, systems development, IT security, training and support;
iii)    Setting, monitoring and regulating standards for IT planning, acquisition, implementation, delivery, support, organization, sustenance, risk management, data protection, security, and contingency planning;
iv)    Regulating the electronic signature infrastructure and related matters as used in electronic transactions in the country;
v)    Providing Technical guidance for the establishment of e-Governance in the country (including e-Government, e-Commerce, etc.);
vi)    Being a regulator of the IT profession in the country for its effective promotion and development, in liaison with other relevant institutions or lead agencies and also act as an authentication centre for IT training in the country;
vii)    Providing advice on IT project management services to government;
viii)    Providing an information management service through acting as a records management facility i.e. an information depository;
ix)    Providing guidance in establishing an infrastructure for information sharing in government and related stakeholders;
x)    Providing guidance in IT audit services to government;
xi)    Undertake or commission research as may be necessary to promote the objects contained in this Act; and
xii)    Doing all things necessary or incidental or conducive to the objects of the authority under this Act.

    The expected benefits of NITA-U will include the harmonized and coordinated government use of IT to improve the quality and efficiency of public services to strengthen internal information flows whilst promoting accountability and transparency. In addition, the benefits include the optimized utilization of the scarce technical skills capacity and infrastructure through shared resources in government such as centralized datacenters leading to ultimate overall financial savings in government IT adoption due to rationalization in IT funding.

 NITA-U Objectives

The objectives for NITA-U, under the policy guidance of the MoICT are as follows:
i.    To provide first-level Technical support for government IT systems;
ii.    with the guidance of the Ministry of ICT effect national IT strategies and master plans
iii.    To formulate and implement the national IT policies;
iv.    To promote of e-Governance, e-Commerce and e-Living, amongst others.
v.    To set and monitor IT standards in planning;
vi.    To acquire, implement, deliver, support, organize and help with the sustenance of IT equipment and services;
vii.    To provide IT standards & guidance for quality services including risk management & contingency planning;
viii.    To identify and establish IT training requirements for effective utilizations of the technologies;
ix.    To provide IT capacity building and awareness facilities; and
x.    To ensure data protection and security on the IT systems deployed.

 Corporate Objectives

i.    To formulate and implement IT related policies in line with the NITA-U Act;
ii.    To provide specific IT services to government and other Agencies according to priorities identified within the various national development programmes;
iii.    To develop and monitor the implementation of systems and standards for e-Governance in line with the various national development programmes;
iv.    To regulate, monitor and evaluate activities within the IT sub-sector according to the NITA-U Act;
v.    To carry out and fund research and development for the sector according to priorities identified within the various national development programmes;
vi.    To set up and implement systems, structures and processes to meet NITA-U mandate, mission and strategic objectives;
vii.    To identify and develop the required skilled manpower to coordinate and monitor IT management programmes and services;
viii.    To develop and implement public awareness campaigns to enhance the acceptability of a proposed national IT policy;
ix.    To develop and implement IT capacity building programmes; and
x.    To create a national IT systems network of stakeholders in line with the various national development programmes