6 NEW VISION, Wednesday, March 4, 2020 NATIONAL news MPs want entities to share ICT facilities By Moses Mulondo infrastructure, capacities, and Between the lines mandates of various entities.” MPs are pushing for the Fort Portal municipality MP sharing of Information and nThe committee Alex Ruhunda argued that Communication Technology chairperson, Annet in their failure to have co- (ICT) infrastructure to avoid Nyakecho, said there is ordinated planning and sharing duplication and wastage of duplication of projects by infrastructure as ICT sector resources in the sector. NITAU, UETCL, Uganda players, they are causing the Parliament’s ICT committee Telecom, and private country to lag behind in utilising yesterday observed that due telecom companies, global digital opportunities. to the absence of co-ordinated which leads to wastage of The permanent secretary Bagiire, Ssewankambo and Mangeni appearing before the ICT committee of Parliament planning for ICT infrastructure, resources. of the ICT ministry, Vincent yesterday. Photo by Miriam Namutebi many entities keep undertaking Bagiire, informed the MPs that similar projects, which leads developments have even the ministry recently finalised another player should not set The NITA-U director for will be launched soon, the to duplication and wastage of rendered the national backbone a national broad band policy up another,” he said. information security, Arnold Government has set a target resources. infrastructure redundant and which would be used to address The UCC acting executive Mangeni, said due to the absence of propelling Uganda to an “There is a lot of duplication of wasteful,” the committee the challenge of unco-ordinated director, Irene Ssewankambo, of a policy framework to guide internet access of 70% by projects by National Information chairperson, Annet Nyakecho, infrastructure development. outlined the various benefits players in the sector, private 2025. In Africa, Kenya currently Technology Authority-Uganda said. “Uganda Communications of sharing ICT infrastructure, companies such as telecom has the highest access to the (NITA-U), Uganda Electricity Dokolo North MP Paul Commission (UCC) shall including reducing costs, companies had established ICT Internet of 89%. Transmission Company Amoru, who is also the vice- demand that ICT infrastructure reducing civil works, infrastructure in the same areas Uganda’s access to the Limited (UETCL), Uganda chairperson of the committee, developers agree to share their minimising disruption of where the national backbone Internet had reached 48% Telecom, and private telecom said: “What is required is for infrastructure as a condition economic activities, health risks infrastructure had been but dropped to 34% after the companies, which leads to the ICT ministry to commission for licensing them. UCC will and the negative consequences established. introduction of the Over the wastage of resources. Such a comprehensive study with ensure that where there is an to the environment for such In the National Development Top Tax (OTT) which limits unco-ordinated infrastructure an audit on the existing existing ICT infrastructure, projects. Plan III of 2020-2025 which people’s access to the Internet. Parliament questions government readiness on coronavirus By Henry Sekanjako designating distant from the city times both at health facilities and The MPs also proposed that and John Odyek centre. “Why are you communities. the Government provides free The MPs expressed concern that the The ministry advised Ugandans disinfectants and masks to the MPs have expressed reservation move to ban public meetings would allowing people to delay travel to countries that public to help them guard against over Government’s preparatory greatly impact on their activities currently have many patients with the disease that has since registered guidelines on prevention of the since the country is preparing for coronavirus. 88,948 cases and over 3,000 deaths. coronavirus, which started in 2021 general elections, which calls from high risk areas However, the MPs opposed the Updating the House, Moriku said Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei for public rallies. ministry, saying such measures are 722 travellers have been isolated province, a month ago. In a statement to Parliament on not enough to prevent the disease so far. Of these, 499 are Chinese MPs questioned Government’s coronavirus updates and preventative to come to Uganda?” when there is laxity in limiting nationals, 150 Ugandans and 73 move to ban public gatherings, measures to be taken by the public, Kamateeka entrance of foreigners to Uganda other nationals. how treatment centres and isolation Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the state from high risk countries. She said the health ministry has centres were selected, saying they minister for primary healthcare The MPs also asked the Government enhanced surveillance measures for should be designated out of Kampala advised Ugandans to avoid going Naguru and Mulago hospitals to consider tight security at different all travellers from countries that have and not in the city centre. to public places, offices and public had been prepared to receive and border points which, they said, can registered cases. “Why designate Naguru Hospital gatherings, especially when sick. manage suspected and confirmed be used by people to cross over to With guidance from the World to handle coronavirus cases? The According to the minister, all those cases. Uganda with the virus. Health Organisation, Moriku said, hospital is very congested,” Elijah who want to hold public gatherings She urged Ugandans to observe “Why are you allowing people from all travellers from countries with a Okupa (Kasilo County) said. will need the permission of district infection, prevention and control high risk areas to come to Uganda?” high number of cases are required The MPs proposed that the health officials. measures such as washing hands Jovah Kamateeka (Mitooma district) to undertake 14 days of mandatory Government should consider Moriku told the MPs that Entebbe, with soap and clean water at all said. self-isolation.