Kenya and Uganda are stepping up parliamentary cooperation on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies as lawmakers in the two countries confront the challenge of creating laws for innovations that are developing faster than traditional legislative processes.
The two committees held a meeting on Wednesday , the Kenya’s National Assembly Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, and Uganda’s ICT Committee. The Ugandan delegation visited Parliament to learn from Kenya’s experience in digital infrastructure, technology policy and legislation as Kampala develops its own regulatory framework for artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
The engagement provides a regional angle to the growing debate over how governments should regulate artificial intelligence while ensuring that legislation does not discourage innovation. The lawmakers discussed the need for regulations that protect citizens and consumers while remaining flexible enough to accommodate technologies whose applications are still evolving.
Kiarie urged lawmakers to look beyond artificial intelligence and consider the wider Fourth Industrial Revolution, including cryptocurrency and the Internet of Things. His argument was that legislation focused narrowly on one technology could quickly become outdated as new innovations emerge.
Kenya’s experience in developing digital services featured prominently in the discussions. The Ugandan legislators expressed interest in Kenya’s digital hubs and how the country’s devolved system has supported the expansion of digital infrastructure and services across counties. More than 300 digital hubs were operational in Kenya by April 2026, with additional facilities under construction.
The delegation also received a briefing from Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy on the infrastructure, policy and legal requirements needed to support artificial intelligence deployment. Uganda acknowledged Kenya’s progress in several areas of the digital ecosystem while outlining efforts to expand its own connectivity and technology infrastructure.
Another major issue was Uganda’s plan to simplify its ICT legal framework. Ugandan legislators said existing laws governing telecommunications, technology and communications had become difficult to interpret and apply, while constitutional challenges had resulted in parts of some legislation being nullified.
Uganda is considering a proposed Telecommunications, Technology and Communication Bill that would consolidate various provisions under one framework. The delegation also proposed the establishment of a regulatory sandbox within the ministry responsible for ICT, allowing emerging technologies to be tested in a controlled environment before policymakers determine appropriate regulations.
Kenya’s experience with M-Pesa provided another important lesson. Kiarie cited the mobile-money service as an example of an innovation that did not initially fit neatly into existing regulatory categories.
“When M-Pesa was introduced, questions arose over whether it belonged primarily to banking and finance or communications and technology. Kenya initially created regulatory “riverbanks” within which the service could operate while authorities assessed its implications,” he noted.
“M-Pesa subsequently evolved into a cross-sector service spanning technology, finance and human development, illustrating the challenge of regulating innovations that do not fit neatly into existing categories,” he added.
The two committees agreed on the importance of continued parliamentary engagement and exchange of legislative experience as East African countries pursue greater digital integration.
Mohammed Tubi (Isiolo) said continued engagement between the committees would help both countries deepen their understanding of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies and develop laws capable of responding to technological change without stifling innovation.
