The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has opened bids for the provision of broadband internet services in 25 unserved and underserved communities throughout the country.
The 25 locations are part of UCC’s Rural Community Development Fund (RCDF) which intends to better the provision of universal access to electronic communications.
Established in 2003, the RCDF aims at providing a subsidy towards the cost of the services in rural areas.
Under the Fund, the government is extending Internet points of presence, Internet cafes, ICT training centers, Content development projects among other ICT facilities to rural areas in the country.
According to information obtained from UCC website, bidding will be conducted in accordance with the Open Domestic Bidding, a procedure contained in the Government of Uganda’s Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, 2003.
“Interested bidders may obtain further information and inspect bidding documents from Uganda Communications Commission from 8.30 hours to 17.00 hours during working days,” the statement on the UCC website reads in part.
Bidding Documents in English Language can be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written application and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of UGX100,000.
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Controversy
Currently, there is a standing directive for all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to only procure internet services from Uganda Telecom.
The directive was issued by the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Keith Muhakanizi in a statement dated September 14th.
UCC is a government agency which is affected by the same directive but they are inviting external bidders which contradicts the directive.
