By Odwori Brian,
KAMPALA
The government through the ministry of ICT and National Guidance will on Thursday 18th August 2023 launch the Uganda digital Transformation Roadmap at the Kampala serena hotel.
Dr. Aminah Zawede, the Permanent Secretary to the ministry says the Roadmap is a comprehensive strategy that will share and shape the nation’s technological landscape for years to come.
Zawede was speaking to journalists at the media center in Kampala on Monday (August14) when she retaliated the president’s call for improvement of the four sectors of the economy namely Agriculture, Industry, Health and ICT for faster development of the economy. She said therefore, by launching this Roadmap, the country will be one step ahead.
“The ICT is a crucial sector in a nation’s development there this Roadmap will aid alot”
ICT is a driving force behind a nation’s social economic transformation. And in Uganda, the sector is growing with a gross of 14.8% and contributing a commendable 9% to the GDP.
During her address, Zawede told reports that roadmap is supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and noted that many other agencies like government, private sector,development partners, civil societies,and academicians.
In Uganda, ICT sector employs the majority population and has eased transactions of many activities. ICT services such as transport, E-payments, online application services such as Visa application, online food ordering and delivery have been adapted by majority population leaving the government with a debt to reinvest and develop the sector.
According to the ministry, the Roadmap will last for five years and thereafter the ministry will assess its performance in the first terms of digital transformation.
When asked on arrangements her ministry has about the exorbitant prices of smartphones and data since many youths are unemployed yet there are so many online jobs but cannot afford these smart gadgets, Dr Zawedde said that the ministry partnering with the concerned authorities to see on how to subsidize on the prices such that almost every Uganda can afford a smartphone.
“we are engaging the telecommunications companies like MTN and airtel to see what can be trade” she assured.
In an era where Technology and ICT is replacing most of the manual activities, many countries of the world are investing in ICT sector since it contributes much to the Development of the economy.
