Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives is planning to introduce a digital mark to improve consumer protection and promote safer online shopping, Trade Minister Sanjay Tanna has announced.

The digital mark is expected to become available to the business community in the coming months. It will help consumers identify online sellers and websites certified by the ministry, as the government seeks to address fraud and strengthen accountability in digital trade.

Tanna announced the plan during a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday. He was accompanied by Patrick Mugisha, the ministry’s Commissioner for Business Development and Quality Assurance, Kenneth Muhangi, a partner at KTA Advocates, and other government officials.

The proposed initiative comes amid growing concerns about online scams and the challenges consumers face when seeking assistance after purchasing faulty or fake products through digital platforms.

Tanna cited the case of a woman from Tororo who was reportedly conned by an online seller who sold her a faulty vehicle. The woman sought the ministry’s intervention, raising questions about how the government could hold online traders accountable under the existing regulatory framework.

According to the minister, the transaction involved an online advertisement, payment through digital channels and delivery of the vehicle, but the buyer was left dissatisfied with the product.

He said the incident highlighted gaps in the government’s ability to regulate transactions conducted between buyers and sellers online.

Uganda already has consumer protection and trade laws, but Tanna acknowledged that the ministry needs a framework that addresses the growing digital economy and provides consumers with a clear avenue for seeking redress when online transactions go wrong.

He explained that the proposed digital mark would serve as a certification indicating that an online business or website has been recognised by the ministry.

Under the planned system, consumers would be encouraged to buy goods from online sellers displaying the ministry-certified mark. If a consumer is defrauded, the ministry would be able to use its database to identify the address and legal entity associated with the business involved in the transaction.

The initiative is intended to make it easier to trace online traders and support consumers seeking assistance after fraudulent transactions.

Tanna noted that online commerce is becoming increasingly important globally, with businesses investing more resources in digital platforms as consumers turn to online shopping for convenience.

He cited international e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Alibaba.com as examples of businesses that have expanded the range of goods available to consumers through digital marketplaces.

However, he said much of the trade in Sub-Saharan Africa remains informal, although some businesses are increasingly embracing organised online commerce.

In Uganda, the minister identified Jumia Uganda and Jiji Uganda among the established online platforms, noting that advertising and visibility can influence consumers’ perceptions of whether a business is trustworthy.

He said the government wants to create a framework that enables online businesses to operate within a clearer regulatory environment while giving consumers greater confidence when making purchases.

The planned digital mark is part of broader discussions about how Uganda should regulate e-commerce as digital transactions become more common. The ministry is also seeking input from legal professionals and private-sector players on how best to develop rules that support online trade and protect consumers.

The announcement comes ahead of the KTA Annual Africa Technology and Intellectual Property Symposium 2026, scheduled for October 22–23 at Kampala Marriott Hotel.

The symposium will be held under the theme, “Building Africa’s Digital Single Market: The Role of Government and the Private Sector in Achieving Regional Integration.”

It is being organised by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, KTA Advocates, the Centre for Law, Policy and Innovation Initiative (CeLPII), the Uganda Law Society, the Alliance for Digital Trade, E-Mobility and Couriers Uganda, and GIZ.

Discussions will cover digital transactions, cross-border payments, consumer protection, digital taxation, cybersecurity, intellectual property, last-mile delivery, customs single windows and the participation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Tanna said the symposium would provide an opportunity for government officials, legal experts and private-sector representatives to discuss the rules needed to govern digital commerce and strengthen regional trade.

He encouraged the legal fraternity and other stakeholders to contribute ideas towards developing a suitable framework for e-business and e-commerce in Uganda.

The government’s proposed digital mark is expected to be rolled out to the business community in the coming months, although the announcement did not specify an exact launch date.

The effectiveness of the system will depend on its implementation and how it enables consumers to identify certified sellers and seek assistance when online transactions result in fraud.