Uganda: ICT Ministry Lays 211 Kilometres Fibre Cable

By Paul Tentena, 24 November 2009

A boy holds the Kenyan Seacom cable (file photo): Despite wanting to link its ICT network to Kenya's submarine cables, the country is installing the incorrect fibre optic cables, experts say. (Photo Courtesy Daily Monitor)

Kampala — THE information and communications technology ministry has laid over 2,118km of the fibre optic cable, a top official said last week. Dr. Jimmy Saamanya, the permanent secretary, told ICT stakeholders at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel that the ministry was embarking on phase two of the project that links upcountry towns.

He said phase two will be completed by the end of 2010. This was during celebrations to mark the Africa ICT Week that was conducted under the theme "Challenges and prospects for development."

"Tunisia ICT conference urged African governments to strengthen the use of ICT. It is what we are doing now," Saamanya said. It would link border towns of Busia in eastern Uganda to Nimule in Southern Sudan.

Iganga, Mbale, Gulu, Masaka, Mbarara, and Ntungamo would also be linked, he added. Saamanya said the Government was developing cyber bills to curb cyber crimes and cyber terrorism.

The first phase was completed early last year with the Mukono, Entebbe and Wakiso districts

Tagged: Business, East Africa, ICT, Uganda

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