By Jael Namiganda
When Peter Tumusiime the country manager joined CWG Uganda in 2012 as a salesperson, the company was still trying to find its footing in a market already crowded with experienced ICT players. For a young firm, it felt like the struggle of a fresh university graduate searching for their first job full of ambition but short on the experience needed to win trust.
Founded 15 years ago, CWG Uganda had to think creatively to overcome this challenge. The breakthrough came when the company decided to invest in people by starting an academy to train and skill young Ugandans. With added support from its head office and partnerships with institutions like Macquarie University, CWG slowly began building credibility. By 2016, Peter had risen to the role of country manager, steering the company into a new phase of growth.
Today, CWG Uganda is a leading ICT enterprise solutions provider, working with banks, telecoms, and government institutions. From setting up data centers to providing hardware and software solutions, the company emphasizes the central role of technology in modern businesses. Importantly, CWG has grown into a Ugandan-owned company with its workforce largely built through its training programs.
Speaking at a celebration marking CWG’s 15th anniversary under the theme “Teaching your further integrity” Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Hon. Minsa Kabanda applauded the organization’s resilience in a fast-paced industry where 15 years in technology is like a century in ordinary time.
She noted that CWG has been central to major national projects, including the Uganda Bureau of Statistics 2024 Household Census, support for the Electoral Commission, NIRA’s registration initiatives, and partnerships with agencies such as the Uganda Communications Commission and Civil Aviation Authority.
“These efforts are not just about computers,” she said. “They are about giving young people the tools to create, innovate and build a better future for themselves and our nation.”
Over the last five years, CWP has also contributed to bridging Kampala’s digital divide, streamlining governance systems, and easing service delivery. “You’ve helped us move from dusty books to digital databases, from long queues to online services. This is making our city not only modern and efficient, but also livable and vibrant,” Kabanda remarked.
The Minister emphasized that such innovations align directly with Kampala’s Smart City Agenda, which seeks to make government more transparent, businesses more competitive, and citizens more connected
Kabanda has hailed the role of technology in transforming Uganda’s capital, crediting CWG for driving innovation and digital inclusion over the past 15 years.
To strengthen its impact, CWG has launched a FinTech arm, Fifth Lab, which develops homegrown platforms. The company also has ambitions of creating its own IP address, a step toward even bigger goals, including possible listing on the stock exchange.
Peter believes that government support is key to unlocking the next phase of Uganda’s digital economy. He points to restrictive regulations that limit access to global cloud services like Amazon and Microsoft, calling for reforms that would create an enabling environment, Innovation hubs, proper funding, and favorable taxation policies on software could make a world of difference.
“Uganda doesn’t manufacture its own software,” Peter explains. “A better tax regime would encourage innovation locally and reduce dependence on imports, just as countries like Nigeria have begun to do.”