The National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U) has unveiled UGPass, a groundbreaking digital authentication and electronic signature solution designed to give citizens greater control over their personal data while strengthening the country’s digital economy.
Speaking about the innovation, NITA-U Executive Director Dr. Hatwib Mugasa emphasized that UGPass is more than just a signature or authentication platform—it is a tool for empowering Ugandans to manage how their data is collected, processed, and shared.
“UGPass gives citizens full control over their information. For example, when opening a bank account, you won’t have to hand over your entire national ID. Instead, you can selectively share only what is necessary, such as your National Identification Number, while protecting other sensitive details. This ensures privacy and prevents unnecessary data exposure,” Dr. Mugasa explained.
The system also introduces a secure digital vault where citizens can store personal documents such as national IDs, driving permits, and passports. This vault allows users to decide exactly which parts of a document to share with service providers, enhancing privacy and reducing the risk of identity theft.
According to Dr. Mugasa, UGPass is a class ahead of traditional e-signature platforms because it is backed by government-authenticated issuers of identity documents.
“Unlike other platforms where anyone can sign on your behalf, UGPass requires verification by trusted government authorities. This makes it not just a signature tool, but a trusted platform for digital identity and verification,” he said.
To strengthen cyber security, NITA-U is also deploying a National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which will generate and manage digital keys within Uganda. This move will eliminate reliance on foreign key service providers, giving Ugandans full sovereignty over their digital security.
“Most nations have national PKIs, and now Uganda is joining them. With keys generated locally, disputes over fraud, hacking, or system breaches can be resolved under our legal jurisdiction,” Dr. Mugasa added.
On the policy front, Dr. Mugasa urged both government agencies and private entities to dedicate at least 20 percent of their IT project budgets to cyber security. He noted that while many organizations prioritize functionality, they often neglect basic security measures such as firewalls, certificates, and audits—leaving systems vulnerable to costly attacks.
Brenda Maniraguha, NITA-U’s Head of Projects, reinforced the value of UGPass in building digital trust. She noted that the platform integrates with national identity systems, including NIRA and immigration services, to create secure digital profiles that cannot be forged.
“During COVID-19, Uganda experienced cases of fake documents and false government directives circulating online. With UGPass, signed and sealed documents can be verified beyond reasonable doubt, ensuring that only authentic communications reach the public,” Maniraguha said.
She added that UGPass supports both government and private sector needs, offering interoperability across different digital systems. Available on both Android and iOS, the platform allows individuals, organizations, and businesses to sign and verify documents with confidence, eliminating silos and fostering trust in Uganda’s digital ecosystem.
“With UGPass, we are not only enabling convenience but also providing non-repudiation, meaning no one can deny signing a document once verified. This is about restoring trust in digital services,” Maniraguha stressed.
Ms. Julian Rweju Ag. Director E-Government services said,”the Digital Signature and Authentication platform ensures efficiency and speed, cutting down time spent on physical paperwork, approvals, and manual processes, which enables real-time signing, reducing bottlenecks in service delivery”.