Reports emerging from Parliament have raised discussion across the country after it was revealed that some Members of Parliament are still struggling to use the newly distributed iPads that were meant to modernise and improve their legislative work.
The development has attracted attention because the devices were introduced as part of a major shift toward digital governance in the 12th Parliament.
According to the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige, a number of MPs have not yet fully understood how to operate the iPads that were recently procured and distributed to all legislators.
He made it clear that while the intention behind the initiative is to improve efficiency, the transition to digital tools is not yet smooth for every member.
The iPads were purchased by Parliament as part of a wider programme aimed at reducing paper-based processes and improving access to parliamentary information.
The idea is to allow MPs to receive documents electronically, follow proceedings more easily, and access committee reports and bills in real time without relying heavily on printed materials.
Each of the 529 Members of Parliament is expected to receive an iPad valued at approximately UGX 2.5 million, which is intended to serve as a personal working tool throughout their parliamentary duties. The investment is seen as part of efforts to modernise the institution and align it with global trends in digital governance.
Despite this investment, concerns have been raised that not all MPs are fully prepared for the technological shift. Reports suggest that some legislators are still unfamiliar with basic functions such as accessing emails, downloading documents, or navigating parliamentary applications installed on the devices.
The Clerk to Parliament acknowledged this challenge but stressed that it should not be interpreted as failure, explaining that MPs come from diverse professional backgrounds and levels of exposure to digital technology. He added that such differences are expected when introducing new systems in a large institution.
To address these challenges, the Parliamentary ICT department is preparing structured training sessions for all MPs. These sessions are expected to guide legislators step by step on how to use the devices effectively in their daily parliamentary work.
The training will reportedly include basic digital skills such as turning on and navigating the devices, using email systems, accessing parliamentary documents, and participating in digital voting or communication platforms where applicable.
Officials believe that once MPs complete the training, the iPads will significantly improve the speed at which parliamentary business is conducted. They argue that digital access to documents will reduce delays that often occur when MPs wait for printed materials or manual distribution of reports.
The initiative forms part of a broader digital transformation strategy within Parliament of Uganda, which has been gradually introducing electronic systems in an effort to improve efficiency, transparency, and record keeping in legislative processes.
In recent years, Parliament has encouraged members to reduce reliance on paper documents and instead adopt electronic systems that are easier to store, share, and retrieve. The introduction of iPads is seen as a major step in that direction, although it has exposed gaps in digital readiness among some legislators.
Observers have noted that the situation reflects a common challenge in many public institutions where technological upgrades often move faster than user adaptation. They argue that without consistent training and follow-up support, even well-intentioned digital reforms may not achieve their full impact.
On the other hand, some commentators view the development as a normal transition phase, pointing out that it is expected for individuals with varying levels of technical experience to take time before fully adapting to new systems.
The Parliamentary ICT department is therefore expected to play a central role not only in initial training but also in providing ongoing support to MPs as they begin to integrate the devices into their daily routines.
Officials also believe that once fully adopted, the iPads will help reduce operational costs significantly, particularly in printing, photocopying, and distribution of bulky parliamentary documents, which have traditionally consumed large portions of administrative budgets.
Environmental benefits have also been highlighted, as reduced paper usage is expected to contribute to more sustainable parliamentary operations over time.
As the training programme rolls out, Parliament remains optimistic that all 529 MPs will eventually become comfortable with the technology and fully integrate it into their work processes.
Ultimately, the initiative is seen as part of a broader effort to modernise governance structures, improve efficiency, and ensure that Parliament keeps pace with technological advancements in public administration.
While the current challenges have drawn public attention, officials maintain that with time, patience, and proper training, the digital transformation of Parliament will achieve its intended goals and strengthen legislative effectiveness.
