Politics
Parliament Passes Landmark Digital Economy Bill
Politics·19 Jun 2026·3 min read·The Insight
The bill introduces new regulations for mobile money, e-commerce, and data protection, aiming to formalize Uganda's fast-growing digital economy.
Parliament has passed the Digital Economy Bill after months of debate, introducing a regulatory framework for mobile money transactions, e-commerce platforms, and personal data protection. The bill received broad support across party lines, with lawmakers citing the rapid growth of digital financial services as the driving reason for updated legislation.
Key provisions include mandatory data protection standards for companies handling Ugandan user data, clearer tax guidelines for online businesses, and consumer protection measures for mobile money users. The Ministry of ICT says the framework will give both businesses and everyday users more confidence in digital transactions.
Industry groups have largely welcomed the bill, though some fintech startups have raised concerns about compliance costs for smaller players. The bill now awaits presidential assent before becoming law, expected within the coming weeks.