A National Recognition Festival, Aligned to NDP IV ATMS
Convened by NITA-U and aligned to the National Development Plan IV ATMS growth strategy (Agro-industrialisation, Tourism, Minerals, Science, Technology & Innovation), citizens experience eGov services, telcos and innovators live, free of charge, with the National Tech Skills Talent Programme integrated. The CIO-CxO Digital Leadership Forum is the implementation partner.
A Platform Built on a Proven Legacy
The Awards began in 2019 and returned in 2021 under NITA-U's sole stewardship, a criteria-based, jury-adjudicated programme that engaged government CIOs and earned national media reach. For 2026, that platform is carried forward and rebuilt for scale.
The CIO-CxO Digital Leadership Forum joins as co-implementation partner, bringing private-sector networks, regional delivery and a sponsorship model that extends the programme to 35+ categories across four regions, closing in one national ceremony at Kololo.
Activated for the 2026 Cycle
- NITA-U convenorship and Forum implementation partnership formalised; Awards Committee constituted
- NITA-U Programme Liaison confirmed; Forum implementation leads identified
- Two-scenario budget within UGX 900M envelope approved by NITA-U
- Category framework endorsed; delegate fee structure agreed
Kololo Independence Grounds, Kampala
A National Platform With Proven Reach
Independent evaluation, statutory backing and a private-sector co-partner combine to give the 2026 cycle the credibility of 2021 and the scale of a national festival.
Explore Categories150+
Government CIOs Engaged
9M+
Media Impressions (2021)
Public Sector and Private Sector, Recognised Together
Government Track
- MDAs, local governments, state enterprises and statutory bodies
- All public sector clusters: Overall Excellence, Citizen Service, Technology
- NITA-U coordinates outreach via formal circular to all MDAs
- Evaluation criteria aligned with national e-government standards
Private Sector Track
- Private companies, startups, BPO/ITES firms, development partners
- Dedicated private sector cluster (Cluster D) and shared categories
- CIO-CxO Forum coordinates outreach through its member network
- Nominees must be Uganda-registered with operational, verifiable services
Shared Categories
- Cybersecurity and Digital Trust: both sectors
- Digital Inclusion and Last-Mile Access: both sectors
- Public-Private Digital Partnership: joint nominees
- Leadership, Young Trailblazer, Sector-Specific: both sectors
Regional Track
- All four regions: Northern, Eastern, Western, Central Uganda
- Government and private sector nominees from each region
- Regional recognition delivered at the national ceremony in Kampala
- Nominees from all regions submit through the same national portal
Retained from 2021, New for 2026
The proven 2021 platform, carried forward, then scaled through private-sector co-ownership and regional reach.
Retained · Evaluation Rigour
Independent quality assurance from the 2021 cycle carries forward unchanged: structured, criteria-based evaluation, jury-led adjudication with minuted decisions, and a national ceremony as the centrepiece.
New · Private-Sector Co-Ownership
The CIO-CxO Digital Leadership Forum joins as co-partner for 2026, bringing private-sector credibility, networks and reach into shared governance and co-funding, where 2021 was delivered by NITA-U alone.
Retained · Reach & Credibility
The same reach that engaged 150+ Government CIOs, generated 9M+ media impressions and reached 5,000+ participants in 2021 carries forward, backed by NITA-U's statutory mandate.
New · Regional Reach & Scale
Three regional recognition circuits expand the programme to 35+ award categories, introducing a sponsorship and revenue model with delegate participation from across the country.
Lean Governance
NITA-U leads, the Forum supports implementation. The secretariat and technical committee are one working body, with no duplication of structures.
Lead Convenor
NITA-U
National Information Technology Authority Uganda. Statutory mandate, institutional authority, MDA access and e-government credibility.
Implementation Partner
CIO-CxO Digital Leadership Forum
Private sector engagement, events implementation, communications, sponsorship coordination and Forum member outreach.