Ugandan academic Dr. Joyce Nabende has been appointed to the United Nations’ Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI), placing Uganda among countries represented on a global body shaping the future of AI governance.
The panel is composed of 40 experts drawn from all five UN regions, selected for their diverse backgrounds spanning academia, the private sector, civil society, government and international organisations, and the technical community. Members bring expertise in core AI technologies, applied AI, safety and infrastructure, as well as AI policy, ethics, and societal impact.
Dr. Nabende is a Senior Lecturer at Makerere University’s College of Computing and Information Sciences (COCIS), where she has been actively involved in research, teaching, and policy-relevant work in computing and emerging technologies. Her appointment is widely seen as a recognition of Uganda’s growing contribution to global conversations on digital transformation and responsible technology use.
The UN scientific panel is expected to provide independent, evidence-based advice to inform international decision-making on artificial intelligence, including issues of AI safety, governance, inclusion, and sustainable development.
Other notable members of the panel include Rita Orji (Nigeria), Juho Kim (South Korea), Leslie Teo (Singapore), Lior Rokach, and Sonia Livingstone (UK/Ireland), reflecting the panel’s broad geographic and disciplinary diversity.
Dr. Nabende’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Uganda’s academic and technology sectors, positioning local expertise at the heart of global efforts to guide the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence.
