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The National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) is at risk of being put offline following a row between the government and a contractor over unpaid arrears.

Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the minister in charge of ICT and National Guidance, disclosed on April 25, 2024, that the development could affect the internet supply to vital government installations such as hospitals and schools. He said this has the potential to paralyse businesses and services offered by the government.

He was speaking at the ICT Parliamentary Committee retreat at the Kampala Resort Hotel in Namanve.  

The exercise was organised to familiarise Members of Parliament with the workings of the ICT sector so they can be able to provide better oversight and appropriation of funds for the sector.

Baryomunsi (sixth from) right) shares a light moment with ICT ministry permanent Secretary Dr Aminah Zawedde (with zero scarf) and deputy chairman for the parliamentary committee on ICT Tony Ayo (in dark blue shirt). (Photo by John Masaba)

Baryomunsi said the disconnection of the NBI infrastructure could cause a crisis in payment systems, adding that entities such as the Uganda Revenue Authority could fail to collect taxes because the entity is heavily dependent on the NBI infrastructure.

ICT ministry permanent secretary Dr Aminah Zawedde. (Photo by John Masaba)

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Baryomunsi, who did not give details about the alleged impending disconnection of the NBI and how much the government owes the contractor, also revealed that part of the problems the ministry is facing owed to the across-the-board budgetary cuts to government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) which were announced last month.  

Undertaken by Chinese firm Huawei at a cost of $130m (sh495.8b), the NBI infrastructure was born in the financial year 2006/2007 with the overall objective of the project of providing connectivity to government ministries, agencies and departments (MDAs) in the country. The project was divided into three phases which involved the laying of optical fiber cable across the country to all major towns, with transmission stations in these towns.

Baryomunsi said that as well as the ministries, the cuts announced by the finance ministry are also affecting universities, parastatals, and various commissions of government.

He said many departments under the ministry are struggling to operate which is diminishing their mandate and service delivery to the public.  

Baryomunsi said, for example, owing to the fact that Uganda Media Centre and the Media Council have over the last financial year received zero allocations, it has caused the agencies to descend into debt.  

He said, for example, that UBC owes a total of sh1.1b in debt while the Media Council owes sh70b in rent arrears.

“We thank the committee [on ICT] for the support they have continued to give the ministry. Let’s make sure the resources we receive we use transparently and frugally to make sure they translate into services for our people,” he said, adding that there was also a need to sensitise stakeholders about the importance of the ICT sector to national development.

This, he said, would help increase support for the sector when it comes to appropriation of resources for ICT development.  

The minister said because of this lack of knowledge about their mandate, the sector has been adversely affected when it comes to the appropriation of sector resources.  

He said, for example, while the finance ministry depends on them (ICT ministry) for all its ICT services, budgetary allocations to the finance ministry for ICT are far higher than what the ICT ministry gets. 

“ICT is a very important and strategic ministry which in my view needs to be supported because the future for Uganda is digital. Technology has come and we cannot run away from it. We need to integrate technology in whatever sector you speak of whether it is agriculture, education, or health. To be efficient and get results, technology has to be an integral part,” he said, adding that they have a huge mandate and are a service ministry that serves other sectors of government.

“We also speak for the government and whatever happens in all the other ministries, departments, and agencies we articulate that to the public and facilitate other ministries to ensure that they integrate technology in their day-to-day work,” he said.