DataCities Uganda Conference 2026
A national platform for cities, government institutions and partners to learn from one another, identify practical solutions to common city data challenges, and strengthen collaboration around more effective use of data for urban development.
Rapid urbanisation across Uganda presents both opportunities and growing complexity for cities. Urban authorities are increasingly responsible for delivering services, mobilising local revenue, managing environmental systems and supporting local economic development.
Uganda's cities are producing more data than ever — from revenue and property records to waste tracking, mobility patterns, tourism flows and service delivery logs. Across these sectors, the opportunity is to bring that data together, strengthen how it is managed, and unlock its full value for planning and decision-making.
At the same time, cities are generating growing volumes of administrative, geospatial and digital data, while new opportunities are emerging from private-sector data, artificial intelligence and other digital technologies.
The DataCities initiative, implemented by a consortium comprising Sunbird AI, ToroDev and UN Global Pulse Uganda, is working with Jinja City and Fort Portal City to strengthen city-level data ecosystems. The initiative supports practical approaches to improving how urban data is produced, governed, shared and used to address real planning and service-delivery challenges.
The experience has also highlighted the importance of peer learning. Cities face many common challenges, but they also develop solutions and practices that other cities can learn from. Creating a national platform for exchange is therefore valuable.
PurposeRather than being primarily presentation-driven, the conference will emphasise interaction, practical experiences, peer learning and solution-oriented dialogue.
ObjectivesDrawing on a pre-conference City Needs Assessment and practical city experiences.
Emerging models for strengthening city data systems — Ugandan cities and regional peers.
How administrative, geospatial, private-sector and emerging data sources can be responsibly used.
Between cities, national institutions, development partners, academia and technology partners.
Practical opportunities to pilot or scale across Uganda's cities.
Designed as a working and learning forum rather than a presentation-heavy event.
Invitation-only to keep it manageable and enable meaningful interaction. Each of Uganda's 10 secondary cities will nominate approximately five representatives — city leadership and officials responsible for planning, ICT/data, revenue, tourism, environment and service delivery.
Additional participants from KCCA, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, UBOS, NPA, NITA-U, PDPO, STI, ULGA, UAAU, academia, development partners and technology organisations.
Approximately 80–100 participants are envisaged.
The DataCities Uganda Conference 2026 is intended to contribute to a broader ecosystem for strengthening city data systems rather than operate as a stand-alone event.
Conference priorities and lessons can inform subsequent Urban Data Dialogues, city-to-city peer exchanges, practical pilots and partnerships. They will also provide evidence on the needs, solutions, and enabling conditions that DataCities should consider as it explores expansion to other secondary cities in Uganda and potentially beyond.
A light governance structure is proposed to enable efficient delivery while ensuring city ownership.
Core Organising Committee: two representatives each from Sunbird AI, ToroDev and UN Global Pulse Uganda, plus one representative each from Jinja and Fort Portal.
Conference Planning Committee: one focal person from each participating city.