There is hope for Uganda’s ICT industry, especially in the manufacturing sector. As we wait for the production of the Kiira EV to start off, with its assembly plant under construction in Jinja, another glimmer of hope that the country could start manufacturing and assembling its own phones and computers.
Various government agencies, including NITA-U and Uganda Investment Authority, have entered into a memorandum of understanding with SIMI technologies to promote the manufacture and assembly of ICT related electronics in Uganda. This has been marked with a ground breaking ceremony of the SIMI manufacturing plant in Namanve industrial Park.
The MoU is an extension of the “Buy Uganda build Uganda” policy that looks to build local capacity as a way of promoting the local industryand the manufacture of high-tech goods within the country.
Through it, the agencies want to implement the manufacture of electronics and ICT equipment in Uganda; building of local capacity in assembling and equipping locals in electronic technology; training of individuals who will work on the manufacturing plant; and overall skills transfer.
At the event, the minister of state Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization, Hon. Evelyn Anite reaffirmed Government of Uganda’s commitment to attracting more investors into the country and creating employment opportunities for the youth through ICT.
The Government of Uganda is on an accelerated path to industrialization… Uganda is now a favored destination for investments in high-tech manufacture and all the advantages, they bring especially in skilling our people… We expect [you] to hire and train local Ugandans to handle the various operations in the manufacture of these products.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance Hon Frank Tumwebaze reiterated that Uganda is moving in the right direction towards promoting home grown ICT solutions. He appealed to all Government organizations to cooperate in supporting the objectives of this collaboration.
NITA-U executive Director James Saaka, thanked Government for prioritizing ICT as a facilitator of growth.
As NITA-U we have developed numerous standards and guidelines which government and private entities must comply to when developing their IT systems. It is great progress that we are moving Uganda into this ICT equipment manufacturing space but we must move in tandem with the rest of the world in terms of standards and quality in order to be competitive.
