On a daily basis, the country continues to lose individuals to the deadly coronavirus disease.

During the presidential nomination week, Uganda registered a total of 14 COVID-19 deaths that occurred between 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th of November. As of Friday 6th November, the total number of cases was at 14,066 and 131 deaths.

Minister Nabakooba has said that the number of COVID-19 cases has continued to rise daily and the country’s health facilities, especially in Intensive Care, are being overstretched and she also reminded the public that COVID-19 is real and it kills.

At a moment that the country is undergoing an election period, she urged everyone but most especially the presidential candidates to lead by example in the effort against COVID-19 and; remain alert to ensure that no one catches the virus.

“Candidates are encouraged to work closely with the Electoral Commission and Police to ensure that their planning and preparations in all the campaign areas are not interrupted. I urge all leaders not to politicise the existing guidance on COVID-19.”

The Minister has also asked politicians that as they go out on the campaign trail, they should be able to incorporate the preventive message of COVID-19 in all communications and; encourage supporters to stay away from crowding and ensure that those attending planning meetings have their masks on all the time.

Everyone needs to take personal responsibility against COVID-19 and remember to put on your face mask all the time when going out in public.

Government has noted some laxity in key public places such as markets, public transporter taxis and buses are reminded to ensure that they go by the guidelines given.

Religious leaders have been reminded to ensure that all agreed-upon measures are put in place all the time.

Already places such as Kampala, Kiryandongo, Karamoja are experiencing bigger outbreaks.

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Following the end of Parliamentary and Local government nominations, the Electoral Commission marked November 9^th, for Campaigns to officially start and to end by 1st of February 2021.

However, the Minister has urged politicians to be mindful of the guidelines for the political campaigns saying that this should not be a time for candidates to use abusive language against each other.

Candidates are warned against defaming others, telling falsehoods against each other, inciting public disorder, inciting hatred or violence, Nabakooba said.

Candidates are expected to conduct their campaigns in a manner that respects the diversity of culture and political differences.

On the matter of campaign posters, all local government authorities including KCCA have issued guidelines for setting up campaign posters.

For example, campaign posters should not be pinned on road signs; campaign banners should not be hanging on electricity power lines.

Campaign posters or any other campaign material should not be used in such a way that endangers the lives of people or a way that inconveniences the movement of pedestrians and vehicles.

The Minister has emphasized that COVID-19 is still in the community and it kills. She has continued to remind everyone to put the preventive measures into action like wearing masks all the time when in public, especially during this campaign period.

Graha Details would like to continue encouraging members of the public that if you suspect to have been exposed to COVID-19, please go for a test at a government facility for free.

Let us continue wearing our Masks, washing of hands with soap all the time and maintaining social distancing as well.

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“World over countries are making commitments and finding solutions towards the challenges facing the girl child to improve their status. Despite the various benefits of social media, the Ministry of ICT is aware that these online platforms have also been a source of violence and abuse targeting girls and women, Nabakooba said.”

Every day, so many girls on social media are targeted through different forms of abuse. Some of the attacks target girls innocence by luring them into online sex trade that is now rampant. Others simply target girls by mocking the way they look or dress, she added.

It is believed that such attacks are meant to attack the girl’s confidence making her feel inferior and worthless.

The Minister has reassured the public that the government condemns online abuse and she calls upon all those involved to stop it.

In her own words, the Minister has encouraged all those girls and women who have been victims of social media abuse to stand up and take action. You can choose to block, ignore or even unfriend the online bullies. If the situation gets out of hand, please report the matter to your nearest police.

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Civil Aviation Authority has put in place guidelines for all those who wish to use the airport.

All people planning to travel will do a COVID-19 test 3 days before their flight and present their results confirming they are negative at the airport, says Nabakooba.

It is also a must for travelers to have their masks on all the time while at the airport; they are expected to adhere to other guidelines such as social distancing.

Travelers are therefore expected to be at the airport four hours before departure in order to verify all that is required.

The Ministry of Health recently developed a number of new measures that the public must adopt in order to deal with the increasing cases putting emphasis on individual responsibility with everyone being called upon to take care of their own safety.

The number of new cases of corona virus is growing every day giving a negative impression that Ugandans have relaxed.

The total number of cases is now 8, 602 coming from 110 districts with 79 deaths.

Graha Details urges the public to always remember to put on a face mask when in a group of people.

Remember to wash your hands with soap and keep the social distance as advised by Ministry of Health.

Let everyone play their part in bringing down infections.

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TOPICT: The Government’s Agenda to achieve gender diversity in the development and use of ICT products and services

IntroductionIt is a pleasure to be part of the HiPipo Women in FinTech Summit. On behalf of Government and the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance(MoICT& NG), I wish to congratulatethe organizers for yet delivering another milestone. It is only in July 2020, that you invited me here at the end of the “40 days 40 Fintechs initiative” under which forty leading Fintech Companies received forty days of nurturing and market preparedness by Digital Impact Awards Africa or HiPipo (U) Ltd.

I, therefore appreciate all the efforts you put in supporting the development of the ICT industry in this country. In addition, I wish to congratulate in a special way the Women in ICTs and Fintech industry who have strongly exhibited their capability to deliver world class services and products!Once again, I am very pleased to officiate at this private sector led initiative that is aimed at promoting the participation of women in technology especially Financial Technology (FinTech).
ICTs for National Development; The Government of Uganda recognizes Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as a key driver of efficiency and effectiveness in production processes for socio-economic transformation. Most importantly, H.E. the President Yoweri Museveni, demonstrated this by creating a dedicated Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in 2006.

The Ministry is mandated to provide strategic and technical leadership, overall coordination, support and advocacy on all matters of policy, laws, regulations and strategy for the ICT sector. It also ensures sustainable development; harnessing and utilization of ICT to enable the country achieve her development goals. This is guided by Vision 2040, the National Development Plan and various ICT policies, laws and strategies.ICTs play an important role in National development as they provide a critical communication platform that connects communities and businesses at both local and international levels. In addition, when ICTs are optimally deployed, they also bring about efficient and effective delivery of services to the citizens.

Women and ICTs The most important determinant of a country’s competitiveness is its human capital and talent, the skills, education and productivity of its workforce. Women account for one-half of the potential talent base throughout the world, according to ITU’s report “A bright future in ICT opportunities for a new generation of women”.

As a significantly productive work force in any community, it is important that women have access to and use ICTs to enhance and support their businesses and other aspects of their lives.Women in Uganda are increasingly adopting ICT in their businesses which have provided them with the opportunity to engage in online trade to purchase goods and services, to advertise their products online and gain access to regional and international markets. ICTs also provides access to information such as jobs advertised online, information on prices of goods and services, and other vital information to further enhance women’s economic participation.

At MoICT and NG we support ICT startups, innovation hubs and female focused organizations, nurturing and mentoring young girls in ICT fields and careers. Empowering women and ensuring that they reach their maximum potential.4. Achievements of Government of Uganda.

The Government has in the recent past undertaken a number of initiatives geared at promoting the availability and use of ICTs in Uganda. These initiatives include: Creation of a conducive legal and regulatory environment. The GoU has setup a conducive legal regime that has supports the growth of the ICT sector including digital financial services and other services or products offered by FinTechs. Examples of these legal and policy instruments include: The Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019)–aimed at regulating the collection and processing of personal information; the Computer Misuse Act (2011) aimed at the safe use of ICTs and the e-transactions Act (2011) aimed at protecting online transactions among others.

Girl Child Protection; the Ministry is proud to have worked with its Agencies and other Government Entities to establish the Sauti 166 toll free help line which provides a much needed avenue for children to speak up and report violence being perpetrated against them. The facility has counselors and case workers working full time to receiving calls that come from children especially the Girl Child and providing them with guidance and counseling.

National ICT Initiatives Support Programme (NIISP) –this program under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance was established to support the creation of an Innovation ecosystem and marketplace for local ICT products has extended over 40% of the grants to Women Innovators or majority women led organizations. I am reliably informed that Gender mainstreaming is one of the selection criteria for this program. I therefore encourage more women to participate in this program when the next call for applicants is made.

Opportunities for Women in ICTs Employment Opportunities; The diversity of ICTs available today, ranging from the traditional radio and television broadcasting, telecommunications, Information Systems, new media such as Facebook or Twitter and the emerging technologies such as Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence etc. all have one common thing in that they present immense opportunities to fellow women. For instance, it is a fact that most presenters on TV or radio are women. However, information available indicate that we still need a critical mass of high end skills such as software and hardware engineers among others.

Access to developmental Information; ICTs enable both rural and urban women to access developmental information such as health care, agriculture and trade information which helps them to improve their lot. Also not forgetting that these ICTs help the women to connect with a diverse range of people, thus allowing them to make more and better-informed decisions.

Financial Inclusion;Hither to many women have been un banked. However, the onset of innovative and alternative banking services such as mobile money and money agents have seen more women benefiting from these financial services.

E-services and Citizens Participation; Increasing Government is taking public services online. In addition, theCOVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the need for social distancing thus promoting the use of e-services.

The online delivery of public services has in turn provided a much needed opportunity for women to access these services. Already, both the Government and the private sector are busy exploring more ways of delivering services such as scientific elections, e-learning, e-campaigns among many others.
Way ForwardGoing forward these are some of the strategies that we need to adopt in order for women to benefit more from ICTs: We need to develop and implement strategies that promote the access and usage of ICTs by Women.

As a sector we need to implement interventions that remove roadblocks to access and usage of ICTs by women such as reducing the digital divide between urban and rural dwellers by availing ICTs to the un derserved communities; promoting the digital literacy of Women so that more can use ICTs; Dangers of ICTs; In order to maximize benefits from use of ICTs, we need to be cognizant of the dangers and risks brought about by digitization that include cyber-crimes such as identity theft, online bullying which sometimes culminate into rape, kidnap or even murder.

Therefore, I call upon all of us to promote responsible and safe usage of ICTs so that we avoid these risks and dangers. Increased collaboration among stakeholders–there is need for continued engagement and collaboration among the elite women in the ICT space so as to consolidate our achievements so far while at the same strategizing to leave no body.

Therefore, each one of you has a critical role to play in empowering fellow women to access and use ICTs for their betterment.In conclusion, it is important for all of us to appreciate the enormous opportunities for women in ICTs such as easier access to improved service, increased employment opportunities and financial inclusion for the un banked communities among very many others.

Lastly, I urge you all to continue observing the SoPs as we combat the spread of COVID-19!I thank you all for listening to me. For God and My Country!

Judith Nabakooba (MP)

MINISTER OF ICT AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE

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Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Minister for ICT & National Guidance

In today’s national press briefing held at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance Headquarters in Kampala, Hon. Nabakooba re-echoed the message of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni when on conducting peaceful and democratic elections.

“When the President speaks about some of the violence witnessed in these elections, he is speaking not just to NRM members but the entire country as well. All Ugandans regardless of our political inclinations have an obligation to work for peace always,” Hon. Nabakooba said.

She emphasized that the upcoming national election early next year should be a moment for peace and reconciliation. She also tasked fellow leaders in all different capacities to always be champions and beacons of peace because the call towards political leadership should always be informed by the desire to serve the people rather than self and personal gain.

Elections at the national level are continuing and tomorrow People with Disabilities are electing their representatives at the sub-county level while on Wednesday it will be the youth still at the sub-county level.

The minister has called upon all Special Interest Groups under these categories to mobilise their members to participate. The supreme law of the land states that every adult Ugandan has a right to exercise their freedom to vote for a person of their choice without any fear or intimidation.

Last month President Museveni met the National Task Force members on COVID-19 who briefed him on the progress being made regarding the safety standards for key sectors such as churches, schools, the airport and many others.

Since that meeting, a number of attempts by different institutions coming out to announce different dates of resuming operations. Whereas it is not bad for institutions to continue with their planning and preparing for the resumption of business, Hon Nabakooba says it is wrong for them to continue announcing dates.

“The President will very soon come out to address the nation on the progress being made and I call upon everyone to remain calm as they wait. In the meantime, I believe our interest should be on how to stay safe from COVID-19 by observing the existing guidelines,” said Hon Nabakooba.

As of yesterday, Uganda had registered 326 new cases bringing the total to 4,703 cases. Kampala district and Buikwe continue to lead in new infections. The number of deaths is now at 52 and still growing. Within just a space of about one month, Uganda registered 1,474 new cases.

The Minister has urged the public to continue practising the SOPs including washing of hands with soap, wearing masks and maintain social distancing.

I call upon everyone to be cautious during the heavy rains that we have started to experience. We have registered some fatal cases where lives have been lost as a result of incidents related to the heavy rains. Let us look out for our children and ensure that we avoid any risk that may lead to loss of life, she added.

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The area MP for Nakasongola District Hon. Mutebi Noah Wanzala has received the team led by Hon. Minister for ICT and Mr Watson Agaba (UBC, ED) who guided the tour around the UBC Radio-Buruuli FM premises where he also shared the challenges & possible solutions for the station to up its operations to benefit the community.

In her address the Hon. Minister put across action points;
The National Broadcaster should revise the fees charged for talk shows to be very minimal as compared to private media houses.

The National Broadcaster has a key role to disseminate information not only to the people of Nakasongola but also other districts like Luwero, Masindi and Kayunga.

At the moment discussions are ongoing with the ministry of finance to sort issues of a mast; between the station and UTL.

The Hon. Minister has also instructed the ED, UBC to allocate resources to run operations of the Buruuli FM station to avoid unnecessary blackouts at the station.

The Hon. minister has also instructed the ED, UBC Mr Watson Agaba to provide at least a motorcycle as soon as possible to ease movement of staff at Buruuli FM in Nakasongola District.

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