Minister Baryomunsi lauds Kilimanjaro Telecom for fostering connectivity

The minister for ICT and National Guidance Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has commended Kilimanjaro Telecom for spearheading regional digital connectivity agenda.

According to Baryomunsi, offering an alternative route for internet access offers the business community an edge as they enjoy relatively affordable, stable internet needed for their operations.

He was speaking on Tuesday during a stakeholder meeting held at Serena Kampala Hotel, where a delegation from Tanzania, together with the leadership of Kilimanjaro Telecom, discussed potential deals for Ugandan companies.

“We need to enhance partnerships and share experiences as EAC member countries so as to achieve digital connectivity. This meeting today highlights how crucial aligning policies and legislation will go a long way in supporting the drive to connect the entire region,” Baryomunsi said.

The minister noted that whereas efforts are being channelled towards connecting all citizens, the cost of digital devices must come down mainly through increasing local production and scaling technological capacity.

“I have been informed that Tanzania is locally making some of these devices, and as you may know, we are also assembling devices at our Namanve plant and at the Mbale Industrial Park. Let us join efforts and reduce imports from China,” he added.

According to the Tanzanian ICT minister Jerry Silaa, bridging the digital divide and fostering regional connectivity across East Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa remains crucial for the growth of businesses that require stable internet for sustained operations.

He explained that he is in Uganda on a two-day business visit with a delegation with a focus on closing potential deals on how the two countries can maximise each other’s resources to boost connectivity.

“I am accompanied by a delegation from Tanzania, and our goal is to find avenues on how we can have a resilient, reliable network while expanding the bandwidth through the new route offered by Kilimanjaro Telecom,” Silaa explained.

Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, the executive director of the National Information Technology Authority of Uganda (NITA-U), noted that the new route will eliminate challenges of last-mile connectivity and reliability. He added that Uganda is currently on a mission to increase fibre cable connectivity across 134 districts.

“This development is timely because currently, most of our innovators are struggling to host their innovations due to unstable and costly internet. We are confident that with favourable competition offered by the new route, we shall witness reduction in the cost of the internet,” Mugasa said.

 Meanwhile, Alex Nkuyahaga, the chief executive officer Kilimanjaro Telecom, said the goal is to bridge a long-standing gap and price parity across the EAC region.

He highlighted that operationalisation of the Tanzania-Uganda Corridor enhances resilience and competitiveness.

Julianne Mweheire, the Director Economic Regulation, Content & Consumer Affairs at Uganda Communication Commission (UCC), affirmed the partnership between the two countries, highlighting a recent one-day study visit to the headquarters of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) to learn about Tanzania’s regulatory model and digital approach to licensing communication service providers.