Information, Communications Technology (ICT) and National Guidance Minister, Frank Tumwebaze has said that Western companies are willing to invest in Uganda but they are still looking for viable ideas to support.
“There is a lot of good will and seed money to support available start-ups and young technology Entepreneurs all over the globe. All they want are viable ideas to support,” said Tumwebaze on return from Brussels where he had gone to attend the Europe Days Development Summit.
The Minister who attended the summit in company of Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire got an opportunity to speak in a session which focused mainly on ICT.
He said a number of Technology companies including Microsoft, Intel, Tech house, Carnegie Mellon University among others who attended the session “expressed willingness to come and work with us on innovation hubs.”
Microsoft is already involved in some projects in the country while Carnegie Mellon struck a partnership with the government of Rwanda to provide discounted Post-Graduate training to East African Students.
Tumwebaze said that the companies promised to contribute funds for ICT development directly through government’s ICT innovation fund.
The Minister was optimistic the new government ICT hub under construction in Nakawa would attract investors into the country.
He said it will enable signing “partnerships with multinational tech firms ready to mentor our innovators and as a result help in the marketing and commercialization of their innovated products.”
The summit was attended by many world leaders, Presidents and heads of governments, among them; President Paul Kagame of Rwanda who spoke about digital inclusion and the presidents of Ghana, Malawi who also spoke.
