Villages To Get Computers

By John EremuTHE Uganda National Council for Science and Technology has developed prototype computers for use in rural areas, the executive secretary, Dr. Z.M. Nyiira, has said.Nyiira told a workshop on the national Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy at the Nile Hotel yesterday, that the solar-powered computers would cost just about 40% of the market value.“We are looking for investors to go into production. The computers will be assembled in the rural areas and this will create employment,” he said. He declined to elaborate for fear of piracy and copyright laws.Personal computers cost between sh1m to sh2.5m, depending on the specifications while used ones go for sh600,000 to sh1.5m.The works, transport and communications minister, John Nasasira, said while opening the workshop that ICT offers many opportunities for rapid economic growth. He said the Government would create appropriate macro-economic policies and environment for developing the ICT sector.“ICTs have the potential to fundamentally transform the way governance operate, improving the ability of marginalised groups to participate across the spectrum from the grassroots to the national government, regional and global fora,” Nasasira said.The one-day workshop drew ICT experts and representatives from training institutions. It was sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme and addressed by finance state minister Isaac Musumba and UNDP senior economist Dr. Ngila Mwase, who represented Daouda Toure, the UNDP country representative.Ends