IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.