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Thursday, 5.12.2024
Transforming Government since 2001

UG: Uganda

  • UG: Govt to borrow US$75m (sh260b) to improve Internet connectivity

    Government is seeking parliamentary approval to borrow US$75m (sh260b) to improve internet connectivity and broadband services in line with regional initiatives.

    Parliament's committee on the National Economy considered the request to borrow the funds from the World Bank to finance the Regional Communication Infrastructure Program (RCIP).

  • UG: Govt to Engage Private Sector in E-Services

    Government, through National Information Technology Authority of Uganda (NITA-U), is seeking to integrate all information systems in government so that data can seamlessly be shared between the systems in a rational, secure, efficient and sustainable manner to enhance public service delivery.

    Speaking at the systems integration meeting organised for the private sector players in the country in Kampala last week, the Permanent Secretary ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Mr Vincent Bagiire, said government has put in place the infrastructure that will enhance integration of systems.

  • UG: Happening now: All is set for the launch of phase four of National Backbone Infrastructure Project

    All is set for the launch of the phase four of the National Backbone Infrastructure Project happening at St. Lwanga Parish Grounds in Koboko District.

    President Museveni is expected to arrive at St. Lwanga Parish Grounds in Koboko anytime from now to launch phase four of the NBI project.

  • UG: Hi-tech procurement

    Internet-based procurement system launched to promote efficiency

    Only those who have ever made a bid to provide goods or services to the government would understand the pain and frustration one has to endure to win a tender and after supplying the goods to get paid. This is now set to change for the better. On June 18, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA launched a one-stop online platform with hopes that it will leverage ICT to promote efficiency in public procurement.

    The portal will combine the services of three previously used platforms - the public procurement performance measurement system, the tender portal as well as the register of providers. It is expected to benefit government agencies, the private sector, the public as well as procurement regulatory bodies.

  • UG: Hi-Tech time in Parliament as papers give way to iPads

    Parliament spends Shs1b annually on printing and photocopying documents.

    Authorities in the House are hatching a multi-million deal to acquire high-class handheld computing gadgets for MPs—the tablet computers. The move will promote e-governance using the magical device, the iPad, and see MPs do away with carrying bulky documents into sessions.

    While Section 29 of the House Rules of Procedure says sufficient copies of a paper to be tabled shall be made and distributed to members, technocrats told Daily Monitor that the Rules of Procedure will be amended to cater for the use of iPad where some files will be shared in soft form.

  • UG: How govt online portal is boosting service delivery

    Last month, National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U) recognised and awarded government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for playing a remarkable role in availing online government services to the public.

    Through NITA-U mandated by NITA-U Act 2009, Uganda government has since established an E-Government Portal which is www.gou.go.ug.

  • UG: How govt plans to turn Kampala into a smart city

    What you need to know:

    • Smart cities use modern technology to improve efficiency, share well-timed information with the public, offer better services while promoting economic growth and quality of life for citizens.
    • Cities around the world have adopted or begun planning multi-billion smart city programmes.

    For the last few years, authorities in Kampala have embarked on several projects to improve the city. One of these is the smart city project.

  • UG: ICT minister asks government to exploit e-governance potential

    Uganda needs to exploit its IT potential through use of e-government systems, if it’s to compete with economies across the globe.

    The observation was made by the ICT Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda at the opening of a workshop on the e-government master plan being drawn by NITA-Uganda.

    Dr Rugunda says that South Korea has been able to tremendously improve its economy because it exploits the leverage provided by technology.

  • UG: ICT minister assures on national Ids

    The Minister of state for ICT Nyombi Thembo has assured Parliament that they are on course for the issuance of the National Identity cards, contrary to the alarmists who discredit the capability of the ministry.

    Making a presentation before the ICT committee, Nyombi says the ministry in collaboration with the ministry of Internal affairs, are moving on fairly well with the Identity cards expected to be issued in 2013.

    A Germany company called Muhlbauer was contracted to provide the National Identity cards at a cost of over 80m US dollars over a few years ago, but have only issued 400 I.Ds to date.

  • UG: ICT ministry 'to manage all gov’t IT officers'

    "We shall now be managing your recruitment, talent development, promotion and managing your exit as well."

    Cabinet has passed a resolution to have all Information and Communications Technology (ICT) officers from different government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to be managed by the ICT and National Guidance Ministry.

    The ministry’s permanent secretary Vincent Bagiire said the resolution was passed and forwarded to Public Service.

  • UG: ICT ministry launches Shs200b controversial internet project

    The Ministry of Information Communications Technology (ICT) has launched the controversial Shs200b internet project, two years behind schedule. The National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) project, that was supposed to be complete by January 2009, is just at phase two. Originally, it was planned as a three-phased project but Parliament extended it to four to cover West Nile towns.

    The four phases involve building a 2,100 kilometre fibre optic cable network. Ultimately, the project aims to link Uganda to the submarine cable on the East African coast and provide faster and cheaper internet access. According to the line minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, yesterday’s launch was to ensure that the revenue is generated to repay the loan and to reduce costs of communication and increase efficiency within government.

  • UG: ICT Ministry, Army to Build Innovations Hub in Kampala

    The ministry of Information Communications Technology and the engineering brigade of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) are to work on the construction of an innovation hub in Kampala.

    The hub will be built at the Uganda Information and Technology Institute in Nakawa, a Kampala suburb according to Mr Frank Tumwebaze, the ICT and National Guidance minister.

  • UG: ICT to employ 3 million by 2020

    Uganda expects to create employment opportunities for three million people in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector by 2020.

    The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, John Nasasira, said in addition to employment opportunities, government revenue was expected to increase to sh600b annually.

    He said what is needed now is providing support and an enabling environment to spur growth in the sector.

  • UG: ICTs for Development: An opportunity in waiting

    Digital governments take such dimensions as; service delivery, access to public information, open data and citizen engagement.

    The 21st century dynamics arguably provide a smart way for governments to go against the step by step development theory as posited by Walt Rostow back in the 1960s.

  • UG: ICTs key in MSMEs growth—Mbabazi

    Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has urged enterprises to use Information Communication Technology (ICTs) in their quest to grow.

    “Optimal utilization of ICTs is a driver of social and economic growth in today’s information age. ICTs are an essential pillar of growth, contributing to an emergence of new products and services, increased job creation and transformation of work routines,” he said.

  • UG: ID project: slow start, late rush

    14.9 million Ugandans registered of the targeted 18 million

    Though Members of Parliament pushed for the extension of the deadline for the National Identification Mass Registration exercise at parish level, this has not been successful as Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, Minister for Internal Affairs, officially closed the exercise on Aug.9.

    The exercise meant to capture biometric data for all Ugandans aged 16 years and above started on April 14 and was ended on Aug. 11 having registered 14.9m Ugandans of the targeted 18 million.

  • UG: Inquiry Into National Internet Project Starts

    The government has started investigations into the construction of the multi-billion shilling national internet cable which is two years behind schedule, Mr Nyombi Thembo, the state minister for Information and Communication Technology said yesterday.

    "A consultant has been selected to make a technical audit to see if government got value for money," Mr Nyombi said at a meeting to discuss Uganda's digital broadcasting migration, in Kampala yesterday. "The contractor has accepted to fill the gaps in case of any inadequacy that is detected," he added.

  • UG: Inside plan to turn Lira into a smart city

    What you need to know:

    • The programmes are expected to further support the attainment of the Lira City Council’s goal of increased household incomes, and improved quality of life of residents.

    Lira District leaders have listed key priority programmes that they say if effectively implemented in the next financial year, will make Lira City a clean, green, smart and eco-friendly urban settlement.

  • UG: Internet cable contractors faulted

    It’s probably another demonstration of how the taxpayer loses money due to sheer negligence, lack of supervision and corruption. But Parliament does not appear willing to let it pass just like that. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Committee of Parliament wants the subcontractors whose work on the government’s National Backbone Infrastructure and e-Government Infrastructure project (NBI/EGI) was substandard, to be blacklisted.

    Speaking at the handover of the long-awaited forensic technical audit report on the project at a workshop in Kampala on May 3, Paula Turyahikayo, who chairs the Committee, described Phase 1 of the project as a “liability” to the people of Uganda; for which the contractor and sub-contractors should be held accountable.

  • UG: Internet cable goes upcountry

    The long-awaited launch of Phase I and II of the National Backbone Infrastructure got underway recently, boosting efforts to get internet services to as many households as possible.

    Funded by the Export-Import bank of China and with technical support from Huawei, the project has faced a couple of delays over the last three years. The recent launch of the two phases will now see the cable head to upcountry places as demand for data services grows. The project is run by the National Information Technology Authority of Uganda, which is under the ministry of ICT.

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