Delivering the keynote address, the Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre at Makerere University Business School, Ms. Diana Nandagire, who represented the Principal of the institution commended PC Tech for the being a national example of digital entrepreneurship.
“Digital Entrepreneurship refers to the use of internet technologies to create commercial opportunities, disseminate information and collaborate with clients and partners,” she explained.
In his presentation, Micheal Niyitegeka, explained to the participants that the internet is no longer a product, but a market, and challenged entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities it presents.
“We need to understand the dynamics of the Online business – the traditional methods no longer work effectively,” said the IT Strategy and Management lecturer, who is also the Head of Corporate Relations Office at Makerere University’s Faculty of Computing and IT.
Micheal said the internet, through social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter present opportunities to reach multitudes of people on a large geographical scope.
“Do we really have 10 million Ugandans subscribing to mobile networks or we have 10M sim cards out there?” He asked, challenging the Uganda Communications Commissions method of analysis of mobile subscribers.
The discussion soon shifted to mobile telecommunications services in Uganda as the next presenter, Joseph Munuulo presented an academic paper titled, “A Comprehensive Evaluation of the sustainability and Viability of the Telecommunications market in Uganda”.
His presentation, as seen on this link, focused on Market evolution, the present state of the market (fixed & Wireless), the technologies deployed, sustainability and Viability of the market (socio-economic, regulatory and technological aspects), and well as a summary of recommendations to Uganda Communications Commission.
Other speakers included Charles Musisi, the Managing Director of Computer Frontiers International who talked about the opportunities presented by Mobile Money services as a catalyst for commerce and Lambert Lambert Tumwesigye, the CEO of 3600 Network who discussed, the Africa’s learning points from Internet & Mobiles.
In his closing remarks, the Executive Director of PC Tech Communications stressed that the company is committed to increasing the number of internet users on the internet through their usual social media channels and website.
“Most of our campaigns over the last one year have been focused on getting people to appreciate the use of the internet, as well as engaging them in ways that make them utilize it better,” said Albert Mucunguzi.
He revealed plans to launch a new product, called “PC Tech People” which will feature profiles of all ICT figures and companies in the region.
“Every month we interview at least one person for magazine. But we need to find a way to electronically archive this data for easy future reference… that is why we need a new portal.”
When asked to consider removing the cover price of PC Tech in order to reach even more people, Mucunguzi said people would consider the magazine worthless if it was freely available.
“When you say a magazine is free, people consider it worthless… and there is no way you can ensure it reaches its targeted users.
“We have to maintain an affordable cover price.”
He ended by thanking the sponsors, Orange Uganda and SMS Media for their continued support to the company.
You can read Conference discussions on Twitter.
