Uganda's ICT Minister Ruhakana Rugunda told a meeting on information technology in the country that Ugandans should invest in the technology sector in order to improve the country's economy. Analysts on Wednesday said that movement is already beginning and a number of negotiations are under way in the county. “The minister's comments were definitely a positive and we have already seen a number of business leaders look into investing in the sector as the potential growth is high for Uganda,” said Kampala-based independent analyst John Yunbal. The minister said that already, Uganda has seen a number of changes in business and governance practices as a result of ICT. “It has become an entity in all aspects of life. The ICT sector in Uganda has also continued to experience significant growth in terms of GDP, investment, employment and tax revenue,” Rugunda said. David Turahi, an ICT ministry official, delivering the written speech from the minister, added that the government was “committed” to bolstering the IT sector in the country, developing rural areas and helping the IT sector push the country's economy forward. “Lack of enough funds to support the purchase of technology equipment, recruiting more teachers who can adopt ICT as teaching tools and employees are not motivated,” he said. Yunbal said that business leaders he has spoken with have shown a desire, based on the government's apparent backing of the sector, “to get into the IT sector quickly before others start to take notice.” BM
