Uganda Govt to Spend US $57M on I.T for High Schools

Kato Mivule | May 25, 2009

Uganda’s Government is reported to have budgeted Shs 114 Billion – about 57 Million US Dollars for a new computer system for Uganda’s High School, a move that is certainly long over due and will no doubt contribute to making Uganda an I.T power house in East Africa.

Govt earmarks sh114b for computer project
Sunday, 24th May, 2009
THE Government has budgeted sh114b for the establishment of computer technology systems in secondary schools, writes Ayiga Ondoga. The project will be undertaken by the Uganda Communications Commission, according to Alintuma Nsambu, the information and communication technology (ICT) state minister. Nsambu said the Government would equip every secondary school with about 15 to 50 computers by 2012, adding that 4,000 teachers to champion the project had been trained. This was at the launch of Symphony Limited, a computer firm formerly called Computer Applications Limited, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel recently. Nsambu said the computers would be procured from Inveneo, an American firm. He appealed to the business community and private sector to come on board so that other schools can join the programme for the betterment of their students.
http://newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/682360

Uganda currently has some of the best High Schools in the East African region that students travel from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Congo to study in Uganda. Giving these High Schools a 57 Million US Dollar Investment in Information Technology is certainly a welcome move.

Not only will this move by Uganda’s Government boost the I.T Economy in Uganda but also will create jobs for the Computer Tech Specialists among other I.T professionals who will need to oversee the systems.I.T State Minister Nsambu Displays an Inveneo System:Image Source: New Vision

However, Uganda’s Government must be held accountable to make sure that this program is seen to its implementation.

With the final steps of laying of the Fiber Optic Cable from Kenya’s Coast to Uganda and accessibility to Broadband Internet, the bridging of the digital divide is becoming a reality at least in Uganda.