Frank Tumwabaze’s IT remarks at EDD 17

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance Hon. Frank Tumwebaze together with his Permanent Secretary Mr Vicent Bagire, attended the Europe Days Development summit in Brussels #EDD17 and their participation was largely in sessions of ICT and digital economies.

Speaking at one of the sessions, Frank pitched for the available ICT investment opportunities in Uganda.

“A number of technology companies like Microsoft, Intel, Tech house, Caregie Mellon University among others expressed willingness to come and work with us on innovation hubs,” Frank said.

“There is a lot of good will and seed money support available for start-ups/young technology Entrepreneurs all over the globe. All they want are viable ideas to support. Many other partners promised to contribute funds directly towards our small ICT innovation fund .I am very optimistic that with the completion of our innovation hub this year at Nakawa we shall be able to sign partnerships with these multinational tech firms ready to mentor our innovators and as a result help in the marketing and commercialisation of their innovated products.

ICT is a highly dynamic sector and because of technology migrations and innovations, policy makers like ourselves have to keep networking and alert so as to move with the times. Our policies must always be reviewed to comply and move with the changing trends. That is why we are re-writing a new Digital Vision for Uganda to integrate and coalesce all existing IT policies into one Policy framework that defines milestones for each sector.

If different IT systems of a country don’t speak to one another, the desired efficiency can never be realised. The need for increased affordable broadband connectivity and scaling up of digital literacy efforts were unanimously agreed on as key drivers of narrowing the digital divide gaps. Let us all embrace IT to exploit our full potentials in the various professions and occupations we gainfully work on. IT is neutral and good for all, just as it can be bad for all if misused.. It was a productive meeting for our sector,” Frank said.