GOVERNMENT | HUAWEI | PARTNERSHIP

The government of Uganda is to continue working with the Chinese company Huawei to achieve digital transformation, information minister Chris Baryomunsi has said.

Speaking at a meeting organized by Huawei on March 29, 2023, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Baryomunsi said the Government will continue collaborating with Huawei to achieve its Vision 2040.

In a statement issued on March 29, 2023, by the ministry, Baryomunsi implored Ugandans to embrace and integrate technology in all the sectors of Uganda’s economy, such as agriculture, education, and health.

“We must embrace technology because, during the COVID-19 lockdown, children in urban areas who had access to technology benefitted more than those in rural areas. Our desire as the ministry is that when we speak of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the technological advances, we must move and join the rest of the world,” Baryomunsi said.

Digital opportunities

Ministry permanent secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde commended Huawei for providing various digital opportunities in Uganda and called upon innovators to take advantage of Huawei's presence.

National Information Technology Authority Uganda executive director Dr. Hatwib Mugasa said they are working together with Huawei to establish a National Backbone Infrastructure (an optical cable-based network) that spans over 4,000 kilometers across the country.

“We are working to ensure that the policy's goals are achieved by providing the necessary infrastructure and support for the digital transformation of Uganda,” Mugasa said.

Huawei’s vice-president Victor Zhang said they have been working alongside the Government to achieve digital transformation.

“We are glad to say that Uganda's network coverage and quality have been significantly improved. Internet users continue to increase and the digital economy is showing gradual progress.

We will continue to work with the Ministry of ICT and the operators in Uganda to improve coverage, user experience, and digital productivity and enable digital transformation, create more business and social value for Uganda,” Zhang said.