The Minister of ICT and National Guidance Hon. Chris Baryomunsi while delivering his remarks today at the Huawei ICT Congress 2022 held at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, says the government is fast-tracking digital in order to achieve the 2040 digital vision.
According to Baryomunsi, ICT is one of Uganda’s fastest-growing sectors and is also a major driver to Uganda’s middle-income status just as the 2040 Digital vision states. He emphasized that because of this reason, the government is fast-tracking digital to harness new emerging technologies such as those exhibited at the Huawei Congress.
“We need to look to the future of digital and start implementing the necessary digital infrastructure so that we are not left behind,” Baryomunsi said. Adding that “In building robust ultra-high speed, pervasive, intelligent and trusted high-speed ICT infrastructure all over the country, the government has diligently worked towards expanding the nation’s digitalization in a number of fields, in order to unleash the multiplier effect of ICT on associated secondary and tertiary industries for tremendous impact on the economy.”
Baryomunis applauded the National Information Technology Authority, Uganda (NITA-U), the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC), and other players in regard to digitization, availing affordable internet across the country. “These efforts have borne fruit. ICT is now Uganda’s fastest-growing sector and contributes significantly to its GDP,” he said.
Baryomunsi further thanked Huawei for organizing the Huawei ICT Congress that has showcased technologies such as 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), among others. “One of the reasons why we came up with the 2040 Uganda Digital vision is to effectively use and encourage adoption of mature and emerging technologies.” “So I am deeply impressed by their [Huawei] advanced technology, especially their [Huawei] achievements in network security and 5G technology.”
Huawei’s Vice President of Carrier Business Group Southern Africa, Mad Chen emphasized Huawei’s commitment to working together with the Government of Uganda to achieve its digital vision of 2040.
“We are innovating and inventing for the fast-approaching digital world and economy. We have invested heavily in our R&D to light the way forward for everyone,” Chen said. He continues, “Huawei will continue to play its part in helping its customers achieve digitization by, increasing strategic investment into foundational technologies to reshape the technical paradigm, and continuing with its globalization strategy, in standards, talent, supply chain and much more.” “In Uganda, we hope to continue working together with the Ministry of ICT, NITA-U, UCC, and all other regulators in Uganda to help you achieve the 2040 Digital Uganda Vision,” he concluded.
The Huawei ICT Congress 2022 is a mirror of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) which is annually held in Barcelona where Huawei has been a top exhibitor showcasing the latest technology.
The Huawei ICT Congress 2022 with the theme “Lighting up the Future” organized by Huawei Uganda is aimed at helping businesses and ICT users such as governments, telecoms, regulators, and enterprises innovate business models, improve quality and efficiency, enhance the experience, and strengthen resilience in their digital work and productivity, and digital service processes.
At the event attended by NITA-U Executive Director; Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, Huawei VP of Enterprise Business Group; Amy Xia, and Huawei Uganda MD Gaofei —Huawei exhibited technology in smart homes, smart offices, cloud solutions, safe & smart cities, to mention a few.
Chris Baryomunsi says the government is looking to harness these new emerging technologies by 2040.
