Uganda Releases National Health Data Governance Implementation Roadmap (2025–2028) – Uganda Health Informatics Association (UgHIA)

Validated National Blueprint Sets Uganda on Course for a Trusted, Secure, and People-Centred Digital Health Future

Uganda has officially released the Final National Health Data Governance (HDG) Implementation Roadmap (2025–2028)—a nationally owned, widely validated blueprint designed to strengthen how health data is protected, shared, and used across the country. The roadmap positions Uganda as a regional leader in responsible digital health transformation and establishes the foundation for a secure, interoperable, and patient-centric digital health ecosystem.

The roadmap was developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder process led by the Uganda Health Informatics Association (UgHIA), coordinated with HELINA, and supported with technical and financial contributions from Transform Health. The final national validation took place on 29 October 2025 in Kampala, bringing together key actors from the Ministry of Health (MoH), NITA-U, the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), civil society, academia, private sector innovators, and district health information teams.

Stakeholders emphasized that the roadmap must remain nationally led, context-appropriate, and implementation-ready, while aligning with Uganda’s long-term visions—Vision 2040, the Digital Health Strategy, and the Data Protection and Privacy Act.

Five Priority Pillars to Strengthen Uganda’s Digital Health Future

The roadmap is structured around five strategic pillars nationally endorsed during the validation process:

Modernising Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
Updating policies, strengthening enforcement of data protection, and providing new provisions for emerging technologies such as AI.
Institutional Coordination and Leadership
Establishing a National HDG Steering Committee and a dedicated HDG Unit within the Ministry of Health.
Data Standards and Interoperability
Enforcing the Health Information Exchange standards, mandating HL7 FHIR, and improving district ICT infrastructure and connectivity.
Capacity Building and Public Trust
Implementing national HDG training curricula, data literacy campaigns, and public redress mechanisms.
Sustainable Resourcing and Partnerships
Introducing HDG budget lines, securing multi-partner support, and publishing annual M&E scorecards.

Clear Implementation Path: 2026–2028

The Roadmap includes a detailed action plan outlining timelines, leads, and key indicators. Major milestones include:

2026: Governance and Regulatory Foundations

Launch of the National HDG Steering Committee.
Establishment of the HDG Unit within the Ministry of Health.
Drafting and updating the Health Data Protection, Privacy and Confidentiality Guidelines (2024) to include AI governance.
Start of nationwide HDG training.

2027: Enforcement and Integration

Strengthening regulatory enforcement.
Connecting more systems to the national Health Information Exchange (HIE).
Expanding district ICT capacity.
Mid-term evaluation of national progress.

2028: Expansion and Regional Alignment

Further expansion of HIE and HDG capacity-building programs.
Annual national HDG scorecards.
Final evaluation and national HDG maturity assessment.
Alignment with the upcoming EAC Regional HDG Framework.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Accountability

To ensure transparency and progress, the roadmap introduces a comprehensive M&E framework that includes:

Quarterly progress reporting from the HDG Unit
Bi-annual Steering Committee reviews
Annual national HDG scorecards
Mid-term and final evaluations using Transform Health–aligned maturity tools

These mechanisms ensure Uganda’s progress remains measurable, accountable, and aligned with national priorities.

A National Commitment to Responsible Digital Transformation

The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to championing this roadmap, emphasizing that strong HDG systems are crucial for improving data quality, enhancing service delivery, and protecting the privacy and dignity of Ugandans.

By 2028, Uganda aims to have:

A modern and fully interoperable digital health ecosystem
Strengthened legal frameworks that govern AI and emerging technologies
A trained and data-literate health workforce
Improved public trust in the management and use of health data
Sustainable financing and multi-sector partnerships supporting HDG initiatives

This roadmap is both a national milestone and a catalyst—positioning Uganda as a regional trailblazer in responsible, equitable, and secure digital health governance.