President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned Ugandans towards utilizing Info And Communications Know-how (ICT) to advertise importation.
President Museveni mentioned Ugandans ought to use the ICT to advertise shopping for of products and providers inside Uganda or promote promoting to outsiders however not vice versa.
“Based on Kariisa of NBS, I can now use my followers on social media to promote after which I’m paid however now the query is, whose merchandise are you promoting? Are you promoting Uganda’s merchandise or are you attempting to transform Ugandans into importers? This ICT of yours, what’s it getting used for? Is it getting used to advertise importation? If you’re selling importation, then you might be sucking blood from us and taking it exterior,” he mentioned.
The President made the remarks as we speak whereas officiating on the 2nd Annual Nationwide ICT Job Truthful 2023 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
Operating below the theme: “Navigating the Digital Horizon”, the two-day (Seventeenth-18th October, 2023) occasion organised by the Ministry of ICT and Nationwide Steerage in partnership with Huawei Applied sciences Uganda, serves as a platform to attach employers within the ICT sector with proficient job seekers. The occasion brings collectively a various vary of stakeholders, together with employers, job seekers, policymakers, and business consultants, thus fostering significant networking and collaboration alternatives.
President Museveni defined that ICT is a big step for the human race however Africa, like all the opposite scientific improvements, should use it in the fitting context to construct an economic system that’s impartial, built-in, and self-sustaining.
“That’s what we instructed you from 1986 within the 10 level program,” the President mentioned.
“Should you combine your ICT with imports then you’re a legal responsibility not an asset to the nation, the identical with the banks, telecom firms like MTN. The speaking you make, what are you speaking about, are you speaking about importing human hair? If that’s what you might be speaking about, then you’re a legal responsibility. What are telephones used for? Is it to purchase or promote? The banks are giving loans, loans for what? For importing or for manufacturing right here? Or for inner distribution?” he added.
President Museveni additional underscored the very important function of ICT, saying that it makes work quicker, extra environment friendly and extra traceable and that’s the reason he helps the concept of digitising authorities processes.
He nonetheless, famous that Ugandans and Africans at giant mustn’t over-emphasize digital know-how and overlook about different primary human wants like meals, shelter, clothes, well being, safety amongst others, that are half and parcel in constructing economies.
“I help ICT. I’m the one who agreed with Huawei in China with their Chairman to return and do the digital spine, however I don’t need you to make the error of getting misplaced once more as a result of Africans are prone to get misplaced. Have you ever ever eaten a pc?” the President inquired.
Gen. Museveni additional urged that Uganda’s digital effort ought to be used to help the independence of the nation in buying the essential human wants.
“The digital effort that we’re doing, is it supporting the independence of Uganda or the dependence of Uganda in buying these primary human wants? These wants are those remodeling economies. In Uganda, we’re secure as a result of we’re a bit impartial within the space of meals, among the areas of shelter gadgets like cements, metal, bars and so forth,” he mentioned.
“You’ll be able to think about that till lately folks had been importing furnishings from Dubai however I believe that one can also be altering, leather-based was being imported, now we’re making it right here in Kawumu out of your cows, mobility; we now have been utilizing Japanese automobiles for all these years. And prior to now we used to inform them to return and assemble their automobiles from right here however they weren’t now lately a few of them wished to assemble automobiles from right here I mentioned no; I now not permit anyone to assemble automobiles right here, we will make them right here ourselves.”
The Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo lauded President Museveni for his unwavering help and dedication in the direction of the ICT sector that has enabled the federal government to attain so many endeavors so far as the sector is anxious.
“Your Excellency, I wish to particularly thanks as a result of you’ve gotten already directed the Ministry of ICT to conclude the institution of the Nationwide ICT Spine Infrastructure along with Huawei. Your Excellency, the Nationwide Spine Infrastructure is a lifeline that can propel Uganda right into a digital future and by prioritising connectivity and investing on this vital infrastructure, we will bridge the hole and in addition empower our residents to thrive within the digital age,” H.E Alupo mentioned.
The Minister of ICT and Nationwide Steerage, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi described President Museveni as a fantastic champion and advocate of ICT within the nation.
“We wish to recognize your private efforts and the efforts of the federal government as a result of in all of your speeches you all the time stress the necessity to create employment alternatives for Ugandans, particularly your bazukulu. You could have attracted very many investments and there are factories and industries which have been constructed right here in Uganda which have created many roles,” Dr. Baryomunsi famous.
“Your Excellency we now have a problem as a rustic that we now have many younger individuals who have restricted entry to first rate alternatives for employment and that explains why we’re right here, Your Excellency.”
The Minister of State for ICT, Hon. Joyce Ssebugwawo mentioned the occasion is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of ICT and Nationwide Steerage and companions and it displays the nation’s collective dedication to deal with the difficulty of unemployment in Uganda, significantly within the dynamic discipline of Info and Communication Know-how.
“You will need to underscore the importance of this endeavour. Uganda boasts of a younger and vibrant inhabitants. The Nationwide ICT Job Truthful serves as a bridge connecting our proficient youth with the various alternatives this sector presents,” the Minister mentioned.
“The ICT sector is a driver for financial development and innovation and our authorities has made substantial investments in creating an enabling setting for growth. Nonetheless, this development can solely be sustained if we be certain that the workforce is provided with the fitting expertise. That is the place the Job truthful performs a pivotal function.”
The Everlasting Secretary- Ministry of ICT and Nationwide Steerage, Dr. Aminah Zawedde counseled President Museveni for his unwavering dedication in the direction of the event of Uganda by means of ICT.
“Your Excellency, having you right here current and having you discuss alternatives that Uganda has to supply may be very pertinent and really key,” Dr. Zawedde mentioned.
She additionally revealed that the ICT providers within the nation proceed to develop at a powerful development charge of 14.8 per cent.
“You will need to acknowledge that the ICT sector alone contributes 2 p.c to the combination nominal GDP and that’s on the Monetary Yr 2021-2022 and this continues to develop.”
The Managing Director of Huawei Uganda, Mr. Xie Qiuxiang counseled the federal government of Uganda for making a conducive setting that has enabled companies together with these within the ICT sector to flourish.
He added that a variety of Ugandan youth have benefited from the ICT job truthful by getting employment and coaching alternatives.
“Final 12 months on the Worldwide Youth Day Huawei along with the Ministry of ICT and Nationwide Steerage we held the primary ICT Job Truthful at Makerere College. Huawei supplied 50 internship alternatives and variety of them have turn into our full-time staff. This 12 months we now have continued to supply 50 internship alternatives to the youth,” he mentioned.
“Every year, we practice a large variety of Ugandan college students freed from cost by means of the Huawei ICT Academy.”
Prof. William Bazeyo, the Chairperson of the Enterprise Course of Outsourcing (BPO) And Innovation Council thanked the President for supporting and selling the BPO and improvements which have created avenues for employment of the youth within the nation.
“I additionally thank the technical and political management for the Ministry of ICT and Nationwide Steerage and companions for championing the nation’s technique in exploring the alternatives for connecting the youth with applicable employers and job alternatives, internships, apprenticeships and trainings within the dynamic ICT sector,” Prof. Bazeyo famous.
The occasion was additionally attended by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Growth, Hon. Betty Amongi, the Minister of Public Service, Hon. Wilson Muruli Mukasa, the Minister of State for Increased Training, Hon. John Chrysestom Muyingo, amongst others.
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