BY ZALIMON BASIGHALHA (GGOD LUCK)
The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in collaboration with Uganda Communications Commission has revealed that it will not renew licenses of all telecommunication companies whose coverage will not have covered at least 90% of the country by the end of next year.
The telecommunication companies currently operation in Uganda include Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN), Airtel Uganda, Uganda Telecom Limited and K2 telecom among others.
While speaking during the launch and handover of a Digital Village, a project that is funded by the American Tower Corporations (ATC) Uganda at Mpondwe Primary School in Mpondwe- Lhubiriha Town Council, Mr. Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga Kime said they would not spare those companies that do not cover all the regions of the country, arguing that Ugandans in those areas yearn to get access to telecommunication services.
He stressed that in this 21st century, most people need network and internet in order to access information and technological services as a marketing tool.
He explained that the introduction of computer hubs at grass root levels is a key aspect in boosting the implementation of the Parish Development Model Programme, adding that communication and technological are some of the pillars of the programme.
The junior Minister also revealed that his Ministry was in talks with American Tower Corporation Uganda to provide solar systems to rum the computer hubs because not all parts of the country are connected to electricity while others do experience power blackouts.
In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer for American Tower Corporation Uganda, Ms Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda, said ever since they launched the programme, they have been able to launch 32 Digital Skilling Centres across the country.
She officially revealed that the Digital Skilling Centres at Mpondwe Primary School and Ihandiro Vocational Secondary School were lobbied by Minister Kabbyanga to provide free ICT skills to the people in the benefiting communities.
In his remarks, Mr. Ismail Twaha, the Head teacher at Mpondwe Primary School applauded American Tower Corporation Uganda for focusing and bringing digital literacy programmes and skilling initiatives for both the young and older persons which he said contribute to digital transformation.
Each of the institutions of learning received twenty computers connected to internet.
ENDS