The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance (MoICT&NG), has officially opened applications for the Government Systems Prototype Showcase and National Innovator Registry, a major initiative aimed at accelerating the digitisation of public services through locally developed technology solutions. Issued on 19 May 2026, the nationwide call invites Ugandan software developers, startups, academic institutions, innovation hubs, and technology companies to submit functional digital prototypes relevant to government service delivery. Applications must be submitted through the Government Digital Registry (GDR) portal before 1 June 2026 at 23:59 EAT. Government Targets Local Innovation for National Digital Transformation The initiative forms part of Uganda’s broader digital transformation agenda under the 2025/26 financial year. According to the Ministry, the programme is designed to identify and support Ugandan innovators capable of contributing to the development of digital public infrastructure and government systems. The Ministry stated that the effort aims to: Improve efficiency in public service delivery Increase transparency across government institutions Expand citizen access to digital services Promote local content and homegrown technology innovation Build sustainable national digital capacity Officials noted that locally developed systems will play a critical role in modernising government operations across multiple sectors. National Innovator Registry to Support Future Government Contracts A major outcome of the initiative will be the establishment of the Uganda National Innovator Registry, a vetted database of local innovators and technology providers. The Registry is expected to serve as: An official government reference database A sourcing platform for future digitisation assignments A pipeline for government technology partnerships A mechanism for identifying qualified Ugandan innovators However, the Ministry clarified that inclusion in the Registry does not automatically guarantee procurement contracts or future engagements. Wide Range of Applicants Eligible Under the Programme The call is open to several categories of Ugandan innovators and institutions, including: Ugandan-owned technology companies and startups Individual software developers and innovators Universities and research institutions Innovation hubs and community technology groups The Ministry emphasized that all lead entities must be Ugandan-owned and registered. Joint ventures involving foreign firms are not eligible under the current framework. Consortia may apply provided the lead organization is Ugandan-owned. Priority Areas Include Health, Agriculture, Education, and Justice Systems The Ministry outlined several strategic areas of interest aligned with current government digitisation priorities. Highlighted sectors include: Digital Identity and Civil Registration National ID integration Birth and death registration systems E-permit solutions Revenue and Financial Management Tax collection systems E-payment platforms Financial reporting tools Health Information Systems Patient record systems Facility management software Medical supply chain tracking Education Management Learner enrollment systems Examination management platforms Teacher registry systems Land and Property Administration Land registration systems Spatial data management Digital titling solutions Agriculture and Agribusiness Farmer registries Market information systems Crop monitoring platforms Justice, Law, and Order Court case management systems Police information systems Legal administration platforms Citizen Engagement Platforms E-government portals Mobile public service applications Complaint management systems The Ministry also encouraged applicants to propose innovative systems outside the listed categories if they address public administration or government service delivery challenges. Mandatory Submission Requirements Detailed Applicants are required to submit all applications exclusively through the Government Digital Registry portal. Mandatory submission documents include: Completed Application Form Innovator Profile Form Written system description (maximum 5 pages) Certificate of incorporation or national ID URA Tax Clearance Certificate System architecture diagrams or screenshots Additional recommended materials include: Reference letters from institutional users Source code repository links Video walkthroughs for remote demonstrations The Ministry stated that intellectual property rights for all submissions will remain with applicants and materials will be treated confidentially. Technical Evaluation Panel to Assess Submissions All submissions will undergo review by the MoICT&NG Technical Evaluation Panel using a structured evaluation framework. Key assessment areas include: Technical soundness Security and compliance Scalability Relevance to government needs Usability and accessibility Local innovation value Innovator capability and experience Applicants meeting minimum technical thresholds will be enrolled into the National Innovator Registry and assigned classification tiers. Key Dates for Uganda’s Government Prototype Showcase The Ministry released the following official timeline for the programme: MilestoneDatePublication of Call19 May 2026Submission Deadline1 June 2026Eligibility Screening2–3 June 2026Technical Evaluation4–11 June 2026Shortlist Notifications13 June 2026Prototype Showcase Event25 June 2026Final Registry Gazettement5 July 2026 The Government Systems Prototype Showcase itself is expected to provide selected innovators with national visibility and direct engagement opportunities with ministries, departments, and agencies. Government Pushes Local Digital Public Infrastructure Strategy The initiative reflects Uganda’s growing focus on building locally owned digital public infrastructure and reducing dependence on foreign technology providers for critical government systems. The Ministry noted that the programme is intended to strengthen domestic innovation ecosystems while enabling Ugandan developers to contribute directly to national transformation efforts. The move also aligns with broader continental trends promoting digital sovereignty, local innovation ecosystems, and African-led technology solutions for public administration. Submission Portal and Official Contacts Applications must be submitted via the official Government Digital Registry portal before the stated deadline. Official channels include: Portal: gdr.go.ug/innovators-showcase Enquiries: innovators@ict.go.ug Technical Support: support@gdr.go.ug The Ministry stated that paper submissions, email applications, and physical deliveries will not be accepted. VIEW THE CALL FOR INNOVATORS HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.