Last year, Government of Uganda launched the digital transformation roadmap. The roadmap provides an overarching framework for realizing Uganda’s digital vision that delivers on the opportunity of digital technologies for socio-economic transformation.
One of the pillars of the digital transformation road map focuses on cybersecurity, data protection and privacy[1]. However, today Artificial intelligence have been used in many countries to spy, track, identify and profile citizens. These actions of the state at times, deliberately target human rights defenders, journalists, activists and other minority groups. This undermines their rights to freedom – including freedom of expression and association, as well as infringement to their rights to privacy and personal data protection.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), virtual reality, block chain, robotics, drones and Internet of things have started to revolutionise the digital landscape in Uganda and many countries in Africa. The use of Artificial Intelligence in the agricultural sector like drones and sensors have optimised yields for farmers and improved agricultural productivity, as suggested in AI studies in Uganda.
For instance, in Uganda’s Health sector, the use of biometrics, machine learning, deep learning and statistical modelling have been used to address clinical problems[2].This also apply in manufacturing, transportation, and energy sectors. But beyond business analytics and operational effectiveness and efficiency, AI is (will) be used to capture, store and analyse personal data and information of users – abetting possibility of AI role in undermining the democratic processes and human rights violations in Africa.
From a security perspective, Ugandan state entered into partnership with Chinese technology firm, Huawei to set up AI powered facial recognition surveillance system for crime prevention, that can track and detect citizens (criminals) on streets, using facial recognition capabilities[3]. There is minimal evidence to show that, the Chinese cameras have contributed to reducing violent crime including deaths by shooting of prominent political leaders and citizens. But also, the extent to which citizen’s data are stored, tracked and profiled, within acceptable legal, regulatory and ethical procedures remain unknown. The extent to which the Chinese AI technology serves to promote the enjoyment of the rights of people and protect their security interest is yet to be seen.
But with all of the human rights concerns that go a long with use of Artificial Intelligence, what is even more baffling is that most of the states deploying AI technologies lack strategies to manage them. For instance, we also know that Uganda do not to have a national Artificial Intelligence strategy, neither ethical framework to guide the governance of AI. The country has limited protocols governing and guiding implementation of Artificial Intelligence [4].
While we see that the AI ecosystem is emerging and developing at a faster rate. Institutional capacity within government – and its bureaucracies, and civil society is limited. Capacity gaps may also be seen perhaps even in the private sector – especially among small and medium scale enterprises.
There is also shortage of technical personnel to develop, deploy and operate AI powered solutions effectively in Uganda, but also many countries within the region of Africa.
Most African countries such as Uganda grapple with nascent Policy and governance framework on Artificial Intelligence. In Uganda actually, and as pointed earlier, there seems to be essentially no specific guidelines and procedures, necessary for an AI enabled digital economy.
But we have to realise that without a strong institutional capacity of the state and its bureaucracies, ethical procedures and framework on AI, evidence shows that it is difficult for governments to understand and determine what legislations and policies – including oversight and enforcement mechanisms are required to strengthen the protection of human rights, in a rapidly changing digital age.
The key questions we – as Centre for Multilateral Affairs seeks to interrogate and answer is; to assess the legal and regulatory framework and determine to what extent these legal and regulatory frameworks addresses/adhere to human rights respecting approaches to personal data and privacy of users online? And examine what level of capacity/gaps exists or are required by government and civil societies in Uganda to advance AI governance in Uganda?
We hope that, we shall be able to find answers to these questions in the coming months to be able to shape AI governance in Uganda. We welcome partners, willing to support our endeavours!
[1] MoICT& NG (2023) Digital Transformation Roadmap https://ict.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Digital-Transformation-Roadmap-2023-1.pdf
[2] Alex Mirugwe (2023) Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the Ugandan Health Sector: A review of literature https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370073027_Adoption_of_Artificial_Intelligence_in_the_Ugandan_Health_Sector_a_review_of_Literature
[3] Stephen Kafeero (2020) Uganda is using Huawei’s facial recognition tech to crack down on dissent after anti-government protests https://qz.com/africa/1938976/uganda-uses-chinas-huawei-facial-recognition-to-snare-protesters
[4] Alex Mirugwe (2023) Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the Ugandan Health Sector: A review of literature https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370073027_Adoption_of_Artificial_Intelligence_in_the_Ugandan_Health_Sector_a_review_of_Literature
