Uganda ICT Ministry Says Funding Gaps Hampering Services
The committee chairperson, Moses Magogo, said providing comprehensive ICT solutions requires a holistic approach covering hardware, software and training.
KAMPALA, Uganda— Funding shortfalls are severely limiting the ability of Uganda's Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance to provide required services to citizens, the agency's leaders say, writes Winston Mwale.
ICT Minister Chris Baryomunsi told lawmakers Friday that the ministry's communications and national guidance departments have been ignored in the budget process since the ministry was created from a merger.
"Officers and commissioners have no facilitation yet they are crucial both centrally and at the local government level to provide ICT services," Baryomunsi said while appearing before Parliament's Committee on ICT and National Guidance.
Permanent Secretary Aminah Zawedde said her ministry required 13.5 billion Ugandan shillings ($3.6 million) for developing local ICT services this fiscal year but received only 11.3 billion shillings.
She decried the funding gap, questioning how the ministry can acquire needed infrastructure like computers for schools, provide digital skills training, move services online and create awareness about cybercrime with just a fraction of its requirements met.
Zawedde warned that another 5.5 billion shillings is needed to upgrade systems for the Parish Development Model, a key government program. Only 4 billion shillings has been released so far.
The total funding gap is 38.7 billion shillings ($10.4 million), she said, appealing for the committee's support in securing more resources.
The committee chairperson, Moses Magogo, said providing comprehensive ICT solutions requires a holistic approach covering hardware, software and training.