Google has announced that Project Link, an initiative to help connect more people to fast and affordable broadband Internet, is launching a Wi-Fi hotzone network to improve the quality and affordability of wireless access, a key need to meet the bandwidth demands of the Kampala’s growing number of mobile phone users.
Project Link first started by building of a super-fast fiber network in Kampala that could be used by any mobile operator or Internet service provider to help them improve the quality of access and launch new services, such as 4G. By bringing abundant capacity to the city, which is used today by a dozen local providers, Project Link’s fiber network is providing a foundation for better connectivity in Uganda’s capital.
Read more: UG: Google Project Link launches new Wi-Fi hotzone network for Kampala
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).
Read more: UG: Govt to borrow US$75m (sh260b) to improve Internet connectivity
Good governance that is generally characterized by participation, transparency and accountability in the citizen's exercise of their political, economic and administrative authority in the management of a country's affairs calls for E-governance underpinning. This is particularly important with the increasing awareness among citizens about their rights and as a result of increased expectations from Governments to perform and deliver effective services.
These new and complex demands have made the use of ICT initiatives imperative in any agenda drawn towards achieving good governance. With e-governance or electronic governance that is basically harnessing the application of information technologies to the processes of Government functioning in order to address citizen's needs and expectations, service delivery is expected to improve.
Read more: UG: Good Governance Calls for E-Governance Underpinning
Despite the abundant opportunities the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector presents, it poses serious challenges, especially in the way people relate to each other, Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde has said.
Although she did not suggest the way forward, she said something must be done to stop the havoc ICT is inflicting on the way people relate to each other.
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.