By Paul Tentena

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