Kampala, (UG):- The Minister for Information, Communication, Technology and National Guidance, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi has unveiled government plans to extend internet connectivity to all sub-counties through a loan acquired from the Exim Bank of China.
Baryomunsi said that with the US$150 million, the government will go beyond its ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs) and district headquarters) to connect all sub-counties to the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI).
“This is vital for ensuring that all regions benefit from the digital economy. Last mile connectivity, the final segment connecting the NBI to end-users is essential in achieving comprehensive access to e-Government services,” he said.
Baryomunsi made this revelation as he presented a statement on the two projects under the ministry aimed at increasing internet connectivity through the construction of optical fiber cables and accelerating electronic systems in government entities. This was the sitting of the House chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Tuesday, 26 November 2024.
The 2022 Uganda Digital Acceleration Project (UDAP)is funded by the World Bank to the tune of US$ 200 million of which US$60 million is a grant, whereas Phase V of the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) project commissioned in 2023 is funded by the Exim Bank of China at a cost of US$150 million.
Baryomunsi told MPs that the government has so far covered a total distance of 4,298.87KM of optical fiber cable with the National Backbone Infrastructure connecting 1,567 MDAs, hospitals, districts and other target groups to high-speed internet.
Under the UDAP Project, the government plans to extend optical fiber cable to cover an additional 63 districts, build 21 transmission sites and extend last-mile connectivity to 2,800 sites across the country.
The Minister prided in the increased access to electronic government services such as Integrated Financial Management Services (IFMS), e-government Procurement system (e-GP), e-Passport, e-visa, Health Management Information System (HMIS), Education Management Information System (EDMIS) and Parish Development Model Online system (PDMIS).
“Government has witnessed a significant increase in the adoption and use of e-services which has increased efficiency within government and improved public service delivery to citizens. We will benefit from additional economies of scale and bring the cost of internet bandwidth further down,” Baryomunsi said.
Parliament learnt that at least 10 major border points of Uganda with its neighbouring countries have been connected to enhance access to services such as customs clearance, immigration and e-Visa applications which has eased communication.
MPs expressed concerns that some of the 300 Wi-Fi hotspots reported in the minister’s statement cannot be accessed and questioned the value of over 800 Wi-Fi hotspots in the pipeline. “I want the minister to look for MyUg Wi-Fi hotspot and see if it connects, it is not working yet it is one of the hotspots meant to serve urban centres,” said Kalangala District Woman MP, Hon. Helen Nakimuli.
Nakimuli commended the government for its plans to extend internet infrastructure to the island districts which she said currently have bad networks. She asked the government to ensure coordination among the ministries in charge of road construction and ICT to ensure that the installation of internet cables and masts is coherent.
Hon. Dickens Kateshumba (Indep., Sheema Municipality) asked the minister to consider tracking the impact of the two projects, saying increased internet connectivity should translate into increased production among other development indicators.
“You have indicated in one of your loans, 47 per cent has been spent but your statement is largely a procurement activity. As Parliament, we would be interested in the impact in terms of access, affordability and the benefits on which the loans were premised,” Hon Kateshumba said.
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