Government Builds Internal Capacity for EDRMS Rollout Through Training of Trainers

As part of its dedication to advancing Uganda’s digital transformation agenda, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Service, recently conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) program on the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS), branded as eDocs+. The training was held from 10th to 13th June 2025 at the Ministry’s computer laboratory, marking a major milestone in strengthening internal capacity for the system’s nationwide deployment.

While delivering opening remarks, Mr. Kiirya Davis, Assistant Commissioner for Records and Information Management at the Ministry of Public Service, underscored the significance of the initiative. “This training is a foundational step in our efforts to transform the way government manages its information. EDRMS is not just about digitizing operations—it’s about preserving institutional knowledge, enhancing efficiency, and fostering transparency and accountability in public service. The long-term success of this initiative hinges on the expertise we develop now,” he stated.

The ToT serves as an essential pillar in the broader strategy to digitize records and information handling within government institutions. Its goal is to empower technical personnel with the skills and knowledge required to operate, support, and train others in the use of eDocs+. These trainees are expected to provide both frontline and secondary technical assistance and guide other institutions as they adopt the platform.

The path toward implementing a comprehensive records management solution began during the 2018/2019 financial year, when a national consultative meeting was held. More than 50 Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Local Governments gathered to evaluate and refine the government’s approach to managing records. The session revealed major gaps in existing standalone systems like EDMS and REC-FIND, and emphasized the need for a unified, automated platform capable of handling the full lifecycle of records.

In response, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and the Ministry of Public Service, paving the way for a three-year framework agreement with Info Consults International Ltd, formalized in November 2020. The contract covered system design, development, testing, and final implementation based on detailed user and institutional requirements. The resulting solution, eDocs+, was developed to support document creation, retrieval, processing, archiving, and disposal ultimately enabling more streamlined processes and better-informed decision-making.

By June 2024, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance had obtained full proprietary rights and source code ownership of the EDRMS. It then embarked on a two-year deployment plan aimed at introducing the system across ten government institutions. The recently concluded ToT plays a pivotal role in this plan, ensuring that government has in-house technical capacity to maintain and scale up the system.

The training was highly practical, utilizing a dedicated EDRMS training environment that mirrors the live system. Participants gained hands-on experience in real-time simulations, system operations, workflow setup, error resolution, task coordination, and user support techniques. These interactive exercises were reinforced with presentations and group discussions to enhance comprehension and peer learning.

By investing in this Training of Trainers initiative, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance is laying a firm foundation for a resilient and scalable digital records system within Uganda’s public sector. The effort represents a vital step in reshaping public administration, boosting service quality, and promoting openness and efficiency through technology-led solutions.