International IT forum in Tunisia – Tunisia Needs More IT Jobs

Kato Mivule | November 24, 2009

It is interesting that many African nations are investing in Information Technology with hopes of inviting foreign investors from Europe and the United States to outsource more jobs to Africa in hopes of taking advantage of cheaper labor in Africa. However, this strategy though attractive seems to be short sighted and non proactive.

African Nations will still have to compete with giants like China and India who with larger educated populations than the totals of what Africa can provide, way out compete African Nations when it comes to outsourced jobs from the West. The Chinese and Indians are much more able to provide far cheaper labor than what African Nations can amass.

I do not think that ‘Call Centers’ are the future of the I.T Industry in Africa. Rather African Nations might as well capitalize on the regional local African Market and replicate the success that the Telecom companies have had…

International IT forum kicks off in Tunisia
UNIS, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) — Tunisia, eager to be an outsourcing services hub for foreign investors, hold an international gathering on information technology (IT) to boost growth, the country’s telecommunication ministry said Tuesday.

Tunisian government organizes the fourth edition of the IT meeting under the motto “IT Innovation as a Tool for Strengthening Competitiveness and Growth,” with the aim to promote investment and partnership, stimulate growth and develop knowledge economy, with special attention to the Mediterranean area, Africa and developing countries, according to the ministry.

About 1,500 participants from 67 countries, international IT organizations and Tunisian firms will participate in the two-day meeting.

IT Summit in Tunisia | Image Source: BBC

Delegations are expected to attend an exhibition of technological solutions, computer applications and telecommunications for export, the ministry said.

The country’s sales abroad of information technology has an annual average growth of 22 percent with value of 640 millions U.S. dollars, up from 198 million dollars in 2003, official figures showed.

Tunisia wants to lure more foreign flows in this sector to create enough jobs for the increasing number of university graduates and trim unemployment, officially at 14 percent.

The value of foreign investment in the business is set at 3 billion dollars during the 2007 to 2011 period versus just 338.5 million dollars over the 1992 to 1996 period.

The fast-growing information technology is a priority business in the North African country. It accounts for 20.4 percent of its gross domestic product and expects to raise the figure to 27.5 percent in 2011.

Biometric Banking Systems Make Their début in Uganda

Kato Mivule | November 9, 2009

Though this is a major development in Uganda’s ICT Sector, serious questions of Privacy remain and Ugandan citizens have no serious advocacy group that would stand up for the rights of citizens when it comes to issues of privacy and technology in Uganda. If there is any Privacy Advocacy group in Kampala, new technological implementations in Uganda seem to be way ahead…and this should a major concern to all Ugandans…

New software to overhaul Uganda’s banking sector
November 6, 2009 | The Daily Monitor

Parents are to start paying school fees using a biometric system (finger prints) as opposed to the Automated Teller Machines cards and traditional over the counter system.

National Capital Region NCR, a global technology company that supplies ATMs, is set to upgrade software that will see financial sector clients withdraw and deposit money without using envelops as it has been the case.

Regional Vice President of NCR for East Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa Mr Stelios Fragkos during a press briefing in Kampala on Tuesday said: “Those who do not want to use ATM cards will instead use biometric finger print readers to withdraw money or make any transactions.”

He said the new system would enable clients check in for flights for 24 hours before their scheduled flights and also be able to receive their air tickets from ATMs.

The first ATM in Uganda was launched by Standard Chartered Bank in 1997.

ATMs have aided the growth and development of convenience banking in the country since they allow people to access money from banks at any time.

Mobile Phone Tower Radiation Health Hazards, Is Uganda Prepared?

Kato Mivule | November 9, 2009

A recent study in Nigeria compiled into a book revealed the health dangers that are brought about by Cell Phones including the mass cell phone towers that are mushrooming allover Africa.

While this is not new information, the Nigerian Government has at least taken the initiative to carry out a study and publish the facts in a book though the author seems to take a very weak approach in confronting the Multinational Corporations responsible for the ‘coming health crisis’ in Africa caused by radiation of thousands of mushrooming Cell Phone Towers across Africa.

Cell Phone Tower in Uganda | Image Source: Uganda Bytes

At one time MPs in Uganda had begun addressing this issue to cub the increasing number of Cell Phone Towers propping up allover the country. However, the Cell Phone industry and their powerful lobbyists placed such legislation at bay. Yet this is a serious issue that Ugandans need to debate seriously.

While there is a Telecom boom in the nation and across Africa, the health consequences resulting from the Radiation of Cell Phones and numerous Cell Phone Towers in Uganda and Africa, will be a price that we shall pay. Yet the multinational corporations will not be around to deal with the effects…

Book On Ills of Mobile Phone Radiation Launched
All Africa | 7 November 2009

Lagos state Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social development, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele has revealed that the inherent danger associated with use of mobile phones are mostly suffered by Nigerians especially Lagosians.

Speaking at a book presentation last Thursday, the Commissioner who was represented by Mr. Kayode Ogunleye commended the grand stride of the author Mr. Eric Edrems on the successful completion of his book entitled: Hazards of Mobile Phone Radiation

He further described the author as a worthy citizen who contributed immensely to sustainable development in our society by giving the greatest number of happiness to the greatest number of people through his book.

The book which focuses on the danger of mobile phone radiation to the health, also went further to suggest possible ways of preventing them

Although the health risk mentioned in the book are quiet revealing and scary, the author has started that the book is not aimed at raising panic in anyone, rather it is focused at educating the people on how well their phones can be placed so as to avoid such radiation hazard which emittes from their mobile phones.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Christian Wogu, who chaired the occasion, drew the attention of participants on the duality of life and on the fact that there is always evil in good. He commended the author for not chosen to be at the rear and just take about the problems of GSM radiation, but has painstakingly proven himself to be a young man with exceptional qualities through the well concentrated research displayed in the boo k.

“It is not contestable that mobile phone has contributed greatly to us. It has made business thrive, conferences successful, etc. Mobile phone has done quiet a fortune to our nation. It has eased traveling and made loving easier. However, for it to continue to serve us better, we must heed to the caution made available in this book.” He said.

Similarly, the book reviewer, Dr. Boniface Oru also noted that although the author highlights basic hazards caused by mobile phone, he did not stop there as he proffers solutions to them. According to him, the quest for safety, good health of mind and body are the brain behind the book.

The book can be better described as a highly informative and resourceful material that addresses issues and provides solutions to mobile phone radiation as it affects all categories of user.
Relevant Links

It is often not sufficient to embrace the benefits of mobile phones only, while we shy away from its inherent dangers.

While speaking on the need to support the effort of the likes Mr. Eric Edrems, the public relation officer of the Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals, Mr. Odutola Akinlade has described the book as a safety measure, hence a must read for everyone . “Getting this book is not an extra cost. Its just like getting the helmet which every safety conscious person will not hesitate to have.”

As part of the highlights of the event, the Life Mirror Theater further thrilled the audience with an illustrative drama presentation, which drove home the points and health risk raised in the book.

10 Million US Dollars Wasted in Uganda’s Rural IT Project

Corruption continues to hinder progress in Uganda’s highly potential IT Sector…

Failed rural ICT projects eat up $10m in Uganda
The East African | November 2 2009

Several rural communication projects that have so far used up more than Ush20 billion ($10 million) could fail with some districts complaining of huge maintenance costs.

At a recent district leaders ICT meeting in Kampala called to assess the first phase of the Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF), it emerged that only 923 projects out of 3,863 that have been completed are still in operation countrywide.

Overall, however, the ambitious project that was meant to bring communication services to rural communities where telecommunication operators did not find it viable to invest, was supposed to roll out 4,786 projects during the first phase, which is ending soon.

Some achievements of the project include 71 Internet points of presence, 98 Internet cafes, 68 ICT training centres, 78 district web portals, 3,349 public pay phones, four research programmes and 43 ICT health projects.

The district web portals are meant to provide a communication link between local and central government.

However, districts are grappling with maintenance challenges and a number of portals are turning into white elephants, district leaders said.

“The costs of hiring and redesigning the web portals are very high,” said Kaberamaido district officer Stella Aringo.

For instance, it costs Ush600,000 ($300) per annum to hire a company to host the web portal, while designing fees range from a minimum of Ush1 million ($501) to Ush3 million ($1,503) annually.

The domain name, on the other hand, comes at an annual cost of Ush70,000 ($35).

However, the 78 districts receive fixed budgeted amounts, and portals — which often require redesigning — are never included in the allocations.

But RCDF director Bob Lyazi insists that the job of the Uganda Communications Commission is to set up the web portals and the districts to meet maintenance costs, a situation that district leaders say is not sustainable.

In the six years to 2008, the RCDF had accumulated close to $10 million, of which $6 million came from the one per cent levy on revenues of telecoms operators.
The leaders cite other costs too, like electricity.

“Power is a big challenge,” Arua district chairman Richard Ferua Andama said. RCDF was started in 2003 to provide access to basic communications services within a reasonable distance to Ugandans as well as to leverage investment in rural communications development, thereby promote ICT use.

Since 2003, the World Bank and UCC have spent over $10 million in RCDF projects to bring communication facilities to rural areas that telecommunication companies deem unviable for investment.

UCC generates money through its one per cent levy on annual revenues of telecoms companies operating in Uganda as per licensing obligations.

Over the years, MTN, Uganda Telecom and Zain have contributed to nearly half of this investment in rural communications development, but district leaders are pushing for more.

With three other operators — Warid, Orange and I-Telecom — in the market now, it is expected that RCDF money will increase significantly.

ICT in Uganda Faces Tough Corruption Challenges

Despite the IT infrastructure, Uganda is still reeling back and forth from forces of corruption that are in no doubt hampering the would be robust ICT industry in East Africa…from nepotism, favoritism, power fights, mismanagement, greed, ICT in Uganda is yet to deliver, especially when it comes to helping the poor in Africa alleviate poverty,

SEACOM’s John Mathwasa (centre) explains the network operation to Awori (left) and his state minister Nsambu Alintuma (right) -Image Scource: New Vision

diseases, and illiteracy… Current ICT Leadership in Uganda’s ICT ministry are so full of themselves that all they are concerned with are contracts for themselves and bogus middleman IT companies that would rake in profits to their bank accounts… The people of Uganda benefiting from ICT is still a dream…

What is really happening in the Technology ministry?
Richard Wanambwa |News | October 11, 2009

Kampala
The Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Aggrey Awori, has halted the process of procuring a firm to manage the National Data Transmission Backbone Infrastructure and E-Government Infrastructure (NBI/EGI) project.

According Mr Awori, the reasons for halting the process is based on the need for the involvement of National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U).

“As you are aware, the National Information Technology Authority- Uganda (NITA-U) has been operationalised. The Board of Directors has been appointed and has already started carrying out their duties. The appointment of the Executive Director is being handled by the Board and the Minister. One of the key functions of NITA-U is to manage the government Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure including the NBI/EGI,” Mr Awori wrote to the ministry permanent secretary September 3.

He added “I am aware that the ministry has started the process of procuring a firm to manage the NBI/EGI. However, since NITA-U will be directly responsible for managing the NBI/EGI, it is essential that it participates in the process of procuring the said firm. Secondly, we need to rectify the damages that were caused on the optic fibre in Phase I in order to make NBI/EGI fully functional and in view of the above, I am asking you to halt the process of procuring a firm to manage the NBI/EGI on behalf of government until the two have been sorted out.”

However, Sunday Monitor, has learnt that Mr Awori on July 31 wrote to the manager Huawei Technologies confirming that his ministry had accepted Comtel Integrators Africa Limited, to be Microsoft partner in the NBI/EGI project .
“Further to our previous discussion and correspondence about Microsoft software for NBI/EGI, I wish to confirm that my ministry has accepted the nomination of Comtel Integrators Africa Limited to be the Microsoft partners in the NBI/EGI project, after the due diligence. You are authorised to start working with them expeditiously so that this project can be operational,” Awori wrote. But in choosing Comtel there are suspicions of conflict of interest because a senior manager at Comtel sits on the NITA-U board. Sources further allege that the ministry awarded this tender to Comtel in violation of government procurement guidelines that demand that such transactions be advertised.

Last week, this paper reported that there was a fight for senior jobs at NITA-U with Mr Ambrose Ruyooka, a commissioner in the ministry, being dropped from the board. But Mr Awori last week dismissed the rumours that he sacked Mr Ruyooka saying “There is no evidence to show that I sacked him apart from a letter I wrote to him discontinuing him from National Information Technology Board. The truth is that Mr Ruyooka was on two boards…”.

Following our story, the ministry appointed Mr Andrew Lutwama as an interim chief executive officer of the authority. Mr Edward Baliddawa, former chairman of the ICT committee in Parliament but now an ordinary member of the same committee expressed dismay at what is happening in Mr Awori’s domain.
“What is contained in the reports is disturbing and of great concern to all of us in the ICT fraternity, but more so to all of those colleagues who did unreservedly contribute to the process of the successful enactment of the NITA-U Act 2008” Mr Baliddawa’s email posted on I-network, a social networking forum for ICT specialists and which this paper saw on Tuesday. He further noted that “after considering all the contributions, the House passed a law establishing

NITA-U and gave specific guidelines as to the operationalisation of NITA. For example, the law is very specific on who should sit on the Board of NITA and how the Executive Director shall be chosen. The law specifies that among the 7 Board Members, the Ministry of ICT shall be represented by the Commissioner for IT.

When I read in the papers that Mr Ruyooka Ambrose had been appointed on the Board, my understanding was that he had been seconded on the Board on the basis that he was an Acting Commissioner for ICT in the Ministry. Membership on the board is on the portfolio he was holding and not as a person in the name of Ruyooka. I find it strange too; that the minister was never informed that Mr Ruyooka was on another Board although in the law this is not a basis for rejection.”

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Rift as IT Authority is set up
Richard Wanambwa | Daily Monitor | October 4, 2009

Kampala
The composition of the new National Information Technology Authority (Nita) board members and the appointment of its top officials have raised eyebrows in the Information and Communication Technology ministry with some officials citing conflict of interest and favouritism, Sunday Monitor has learnt.

The fight for senior jobs in the new Authority has already claimed its first casualty with Mr Ambrose Ruyooka, a commissioner in the ministry, being dropped from the board.

ICT minister Aggrey Awori told this newspaper that he removed Mr Ruyooka from the Nita board because he is already sitting on the Uganda Institute and Communication Technology (UICU) board. However, it is suspected that Mr Ruyooka was dropped in order to make room for one Dr Williams Ddembe, a former consultant in the ministry.

It is said Dr Ddembe is a business partner of the chairman of Parliament’s committee on ICT Nathan Igeme Nabeta. Mr Nabeta’s committee exercises a direct oversight function over Awori’s ministry thereby rendering the choice of Dr Ddembe open to suspicions of conflict of interest.
But Mr Awori denies suggestions of anything underhand.

“There is no evidence to show that I sacked him (Ruyooka) apart from a letter I wrote to him discontinuing him from Nita. The truth is that Mr Ruyooka was on two boards; but for Dr Ddembe, he has not been appointed and we are going to advertise that job,” Mr Awori said in an interview.
Dr Ddembe and Mr Nabeta are business partners in a private ICT firm, Praxis Africa Limited. They reportedly established their interest through NBS Group Limited.

According to documents available at the Registrar of Companies, copies of which Sunday Monitor has obtained, the three signatories to Praxis Africa Limited are Dr Williams Ddembe, Mr Nathan Igeme Nabeta and Mr Richard Basiime Bashenyi.

However, it emerged that after Mr Bashenyi landed a consultancy with the ICT ministry, Mr Nabeta and Dr Ddembe separately formed another company called Praxis Limited without the knowledge of Mr Bashenyi to do business with the ministry. Ministry officials got suspicious of this turn in their relationship with the company when an invoice was delivered to them from Praxis Limited, and not Praxis Africa Limited.

“I got a letter from ICT (ministry) inquiring how I billed them on a different letterhead, but on checking further I found out that Indeed, it was different, I later on discovered that my colleagues had registered a company called Praxis Limited and were soliciting for work using our original company but getting payment on a different account,” Mr Basiime said on Tuesday.

Last week Mr Awori defended Mr Nabeta saying: “Nabeta has no influence in appointing Ddembe and Ddembe has not applied yet but he (Bashenyi) did substandard work for the ministry. Let him settle their differences with Nabeta and Ddembe.”

Sunday Monitor failed to get a comment from Mr Nabeta as he was reportedly on a working trip outside the country. However, Mr Basiime said; “I have instructed my lawyers to get a court injunction on the activities of Praxis including blocking Shs120 million from the Electoral Commission where they used my company.” When contacted for a comment yesterday, Dr Ddembe said Mr Bashenyi was difficult to work with. “I am not a shareholder of that company but that guy is very difficult because he failed to come to court but above all I am not part of Nita group,” Dr Ddembe said.