Mbale — The minister of state for Communication, Michael Kafabusa Werikhe, has said there is need for appropriate information technology policies that can be used in the struggle to improve the quality of life of Ugandans.

Werikhe said Uganda is already in the process of formulating a policy on Information Communication Technologies (ICT). He said a task force under the auspices of the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology and his ministry "envisages a Uganda where national development is enhanced by sustainable use of ICT."

The minister said this at the opening of a two-day ICT exhibition funded by the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) at Mbale Cricket Ground, Oct. 19. The exhibition was also part of activities to mark the annual World Poverty Day commemorated every Oct. 17. The theme of this years' celebrations is: Information and Communications Technologies for Development.

Werikhe said ICT will be an impetus for economic and socio economic development and poverty reduction. He hailed UNDP for organizing the exhibition and being a vital partner to Uganda's development.

"The exhibition goes along way in exposing the various stakeholders and showing how business can be enhanced using the latest ICTs and also giving an opportunity to the people to see for themselves how new basic information equipment functions," Werikhe said.

The UNDP Resident Representative, Dauoda Toure, said ICT is "a potentially powerful enabler of development because it is capable of facilitating knowledge sharing, improving democratic governance and local economic development."

He said "there is growing international evidence that even the poor can access and benefit from these technologies as long as there are complementary policies and initiatives."

The minister of state for Economic Planning, Isaac Musumba, addressed the participants. Also present was Mengo minister of Education and Sports, J. C Muyingo; the French Ambassador, Jean-Benard Thiant; MPs and members of the Private Sector Foundation.