The project being implemented under the Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF), is estimated to cost close to Shs2 billion.
While addressing a one-day workshop on the establishment of laboratories and Internet connectivity in schools and district health offices on December 3, Mr Patrick Masambu, the executive director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), said each school in the 80 districts will get 10 computers for the start.
STRATEGY: Mr Nsambu
He said 43 health offices in 43 districts would get two computers with Internet connectivity. He said the project would subsequently look at telemedicine - the extension of medical facilitation over the Internet.
In so doing, a hospital can be equipped with cameras so that doctors in different locations can be able to look at the condition of a patient, discuss and advise accordingly.
"In providing for the establishment of the RCDF, the government was cognizant of the need to extend communications services to all parts of the country including rural areas in order to stimulate and support development," Mr Masambu said.
While opening the workshop, the ICT State minister for Mr Alintuma Nsambu said the establishment of ICT laboratories and Internet connectivity in selected government-aided secondary schools and district health offices is a landmark achievement for the country.
ACCESS: Mr Masambu
He said the ICT ministry is now set to implement the national ICT Policy and Strategy. He said the aim of the intervention is to increase the application and usage of CT in the different sectors of the economy.
"You may recall that the government set out ICT as one of its strategic intervention areas. This project will certainly go a long way in the realisation of the MDGs," Mr Nsambu said.
Officials said the limited infrastructure, low computer to student ratios and power cuts were some of the challenges facing schools in the country.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Joseph Olanyo
Quelle/Source: AllAfrica, 06.12.2007
