Summary:
- President Museveni highlighted that gathering telecommunication and ICT regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders marks a significant milestone for Uganda, emphasizing the country’s leadership in the ICT sector within the region and its growing international visibility and business opportunities.
KAMPALA: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday inaugurated the first-ever Global Symposium for Regulators of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala.
This symposium, the first to be hosted in Eastern Africa (Uganda), has attracted around 800 delegates, including leading telecommunication and ICT regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world.
Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for ICTs, the four-day meeting is themed “Regulation for Impact” and is being held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
President Museveni highlighted that gathering telecommunication and ICT regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders marks a significant milestone for Uganda, emphasizing the country’s leadership in the ICT sector within the region and its growing international visibility and business opportunities.
In a speech delivered by Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, President Museveni urged regulators to foster a regulatory environment prioritizing innovation, safety, privacy, and the rights of digital technology users.
The president stated that the Government aims to bring communication services to every household in Uganda through a Digital Transformation Roadmap, which seeks to transform Uganda into an inclusive digital economy.
He explained that the roadmap will bridge the digital divide and integrate ICT into all aspects of daily life.
President Museveni noted that accessible and affordable ICTs would reduce business costs, create more employment opportunities, and improve social services.
“You should maximize the benefits of ICTs while minimizing the negative consequences of regulatory interventions,” he said.
However, he pointed out that low per capita incomes, unfriendly regulatory frameworks, and limited internet infrastructure are key factors hindering the uptake of ICT services in developing countries.
He urged regulators to address these and other challenges to ensure people can fully benefit from ICTs, thus transforming economies.
The president highlighted the growth in the communication sector over the past 25 years, with the number of fixed and mobile telephone customers increasing from 68,196 in 1998 to over 36.5 million today. Internet users have risen to 15.3 million, and mobile money subscriptions have reached 40.6 million.
He emphasized that ICT is central to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda, as digital technology can accelerate economic development through innovation, job creation, and increased productivity.
President Museveni also addressed the regulatory challenges posed by rapid technological changes, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity.
He explained that technology has been used for political interference and economic sabotage in recent years. Unlike traditional warfare, cyber warfare requires collaborative efforts, especially when originating outside national borders.
He stressed that technology should support development rather than undermine peace and sovereignty.
The president thanked ITU Secretary-General Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin and her team for choosing Uganda to host this year’s GSR-24 meeting, expressing Uganda’s gratitude and commitment to working with global stakeholders like the ITU to make ICTs beneficial for all.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, told stakeholders that Uganda has a fast-growing communication sector ripe for further investment, with a conducive investment environment, robust regulatory framework, good returns on investment, and a young, ICT-savvy population.
He added that Uganda is part of the East African Community regional market, which brings together over 300 million people in a single market.
