David Muwanga
30 September 2003
Kampala — THE US-based computer giant, Microsoft is developing a proposal for the establishment of Electronic government (E-government) for Uganda.
Uganda Investment Authority executive director Dr. Maggie Kigozi said in an interview last Friday the proposals follow an invitation by the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, of the Microsoft technical team to Uganda early this year.
"The technical team that included a specialist, Dean Wolson, studied our level of information, communication and technology (ICT) development and are now developing a proposal on the establishment of e-government, that is what they said about Uganda," Kigozi said at her office on Kampala Road.
Kigozi was among Uganda's delegation that attended the international fair on e-government for Africa 2003 at Sandton, Crowne Plaza, Johannesburg, South Africa from September 15-17.
The forum attended by Microsoft President BillGates discussed among others the transformation of African governments through e-government, challenges and opportunities of e-government.
"He (Bill Gates) re-affirmed his commitment to decrease the digital divide between the developed and developing world. He told us that Microsoft is in position to work in partnership with African governments in the areas of capacity building, education and socio-economic development," Kigozi said.
She said ICT was a tool Uganda could use to reduce poverty and create wealth by providing efficient services, employment, introduce e-commerce and education through online studies.
"President Yoweri Museveni is spearheading government's drive to use ICT for development, while the private sector will provide services," Kigozi said.
She said the proposal includes training of government staff, connectivity and the provision of equipment for all government departments in the centre and upcountry.
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