Uganda has reached a pivotal milestone in its digital transformation with the official launch of ABQ Cloud, the nation’s first indigenous sovereign cloud ecosystem.
The platform was unveiled at the Deep Tech Hub and Raxio Data Centre in Kampala (Namanve area), marking a decisive move toward digital independence and establishing Uganda as a frontrunner in Africa’s growing sovereign technology landscape.
The high-profile event was officiated by Hon. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, and drew together prominent figures from government, academia, the private sector, and the innovation community to mark what is widely regarded as a foundational moment for the country’s digital future.
ABQ Cloud represents far more than technical infrastructure; it embodies a national vision brought to life. Developed entirely by Ugandans for Ugandans—and with an eye toward serving the broader African continent—the platform addresses the need for technology that aligns with Uganda’s identity, values, and aspirations.
Its core mission is to deliver secure, affordable, and locally hosted cloud services that enable startups, enterprises, government institutions, and individual innovators to develop, scale, and innovate freely. By removing dependence on foreign infrastructure and mitigating exposure to currency fluctuations, ABQ Cloud fosters genuine digital self-reliance.
Among its standout advantages are pricing in local currency, which eliminates foreign exchange risks for businesses and institutions. It also offers significantly reduced latency for faster and more responsive digital experiences across the country. Enhanced data sovereignty ensures that Ugandan data stays within national borders and under Ugandan legal jurisdiction.
Additionally, the platform provides predictable costs by doing away with hidden fees and the unpredictable billing models often associated with global cloud providers. These features extend beyond mere technology—they promote economic resilience, bolster national security, and advance digital self-determination.
The foundation of ABQ Cloud rests on world-class, locally anchored infrastructure, primarily powered by the Raxio Data Centre—Uganda’s first Tier III-certified, carrier-neutral facility. Attendees at the launch received a guided tour of the site, which demonstrated the country’s ability to support cutting-edge digital operations. The data center adheres to international benchmarks for uptime, security, and energy efficiency, providing a robust and trustworthy base for sovereign cloud services.
Caroline Kamaitha, General Manager of Raxio Data Centre, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “Raxio Data Centre is proud to provide the secure, reliable, and globally certified infrastructure that enables platforms like ABQ Cloud to thrive. This collaboration ensures that Uganda’s data remains secure, accessible, and supported by infrastructure built to international standards while serving local needs.”
The event blended technology with culture through performances and exhibitions by local innovators, underscoring that digital advancement can harmonize with and even amplify Uganda’s rich heritage.
The launch served as a clear declaration of national purpose, uniting government, industry, and innovation leaders. Minister Musenero described ABQ Cloud as a “strategic pillar for Uganda’s future,” stating: “ABQ Cloud represents the future of Uganda’s digital economy. By investing in sovereign infrastructure, we are empowering our innovators, protecting our national data, and positioning Uganda as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation. This initiative will create opportunities, accelerate economic growth, and ensure Uganda’s digital future is built on a strong, local foundation.”
Eric Mugerwa, Chief Technology Officer of ABQ Cloud, reinforced this perspective by calling the platform a “transformative national asset”: “ABQ Cloud is a foundation for Uganda’s digital independence. By providing secure, affordable, and locally hosted cloud services, we are empowering innovators, businesses, and government to build confidently, innovate faster, and scale sustainably. This is a platform designed to unlock Uganda’s full digital potential while ensuring our data and digital future remain within our control.”
A key session featured the panel discussion “Driving Innovation using AI Sovereign Cloud,” with participants including James Byaruhanga, Managing Director of Roke Cloud; Eric Mugerwa, CTO of ABQ Cloud; David Gonahasa from the Science, Technology and Innovation Office of the President (STI-OP); and Caroline Kamaitha of Raxio Data Centre. The discussion examined how sovereign cloud infrastructure supports AI advancement while safeguarding data sovereignty. In an age where AI relies on massive datasets, maintaining control over data storage and processing locations has become a critical strategic priority.
James Byaruhanga emphasized the inclusive impact: “Through our partnership with ABQ Cloud, we are ensuring that cloud technology becomes more accessible to Ugandan businesses, startups, and institutions. Together, we are democratizing access to digital infrastructure and enabling innovators to build solutions that address local and global challenges.”
The event also celebrated emerging talent by honoring the top winners of the ABQ Cloud Hackathon, organized by the STI (Industry 4.0+ Bureau). The competition invited Ugandan innovators to create practical solutions utilizing cloud infrastructure, spanning areas such as agritech and e-governance.
The top five winners each received a robust innovation accelerator package, including 2.5 million Ugandan shillings in seed capital, one year of free cloud credits on ABQ Cloud, incubation and mentorship at the Deep Tech Centre of Excellence, and one year of free internet access. This support reflects ABQ Cloud’s dedication to cultivating Uganda’s innovation ecosystem by investing in the talent that will drive its growth.
ABQ Cloud emerged from a strong collaborative effort involving the Science, Technology and Innovation Office of the President (STI-OP), Raxio Data Centre, Roke Cloud, AfriQloud, and the Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation Centre (EDiC). This partnership showcases Uganda’s ability to deliver sophisticated digital solutions domestically, independent of foreign vendors or infrastructure, and offers a replicable model for other African countries pursuing digital sovereignty.
Looking forward, ABQ Cloud stands poised to become a central pillar of Uganda’s digital economy, underpinning government services, fueling startup growth, strengthening enterprises, and reinforcing national digital control.
