By Eye Media | Lira City | July 13, 2026
Uganda has unveiled its first home-grown Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform, dubbed 256 AI, in a move that its developers say could create millions of jobs and transform the country’s digital economy.
The platform, designed by software engineer and former Oyam South parliamentary candidate Queen Dorothy Amolo, was officially launched in Lira City on Monday.
According to Amolo, the AI platform is intended to bridge the digital divide by connecting ordinary Ugandans, especially those in rural areas, to global markets and digital opportunities.
“Our main objective is to create jobs and expose the local person on the ground to digital marketing of their commodities. We are not only doing this in Uganda. We are actually marketing this in America,” Amolo said during the launch.
She said the platform would empower farmers, traders, professionals and entrepreneurs by making it easier for them to access digital services and sell products online.
Amolo described 256 AI as a “national mole in the villages” that can enable a farmer with 10 sacks of simsim to directly connect with buyers online within minutes.
Key Features
The platform, built under 256 Apps, comes with several digital tools aimed at supporting both government and private sector users.
Under its Government Digitalization Programme, the company says it will build websites and digital platforms for all government ministries free of charge, with government only required to cater for maintenance costs.
The platform also includes 256 Link Shield, a cybersecurity tool hosted at 256.co.ug that is designed to protect users from data theft and cyber threats.
Another feature is 256 Express, a location-based service that connects users to emergency services, restaurants, law firms, dentists and other quick-response services.
The Digital Marketplace seeks to directly connect farmers with buyers and traders with consumers across Uganda and abroad.
Meanwhile, 256 Layer VIP has been designed as a verification and AI assistant service for politicians, celebrities and other high-profile personalities.
To increase accessibility, the platform will also be translated into six local languages, including Acholi, Lango and Luganda.
According to the developers, the multilingual feature will particularly benefit journalists, content creators and other professionals who rely on local-language content.
100 Websites Already Built
The developers revealed that they have already built more than 100 websites ahead of the official launch.
They also said the platform has the capability to generate legal contracts for users within a day.
Users will have free access to the platform until July 29, 2026, allowing Ugandans to test and experience its services.
Dr. Jason Michael Boyle, who contributed to the design of the platform, described 256 AI as a revolutionary digital system capable of connecting people and businesses to the global economy within minutes.
“This is the new digital system for the economy of the world because everything can reach out to the world in a few minutes,” Dr Boyle said.
The launch of 256 AI comes at a time when Uganda is increasingly embracing digital technologies and artificial intelligence to drive innovation, improve service delivery and create employment opportunities for the country’s growing youthful population.
