ICT is one of the most potent resources to activate growth and development.
According to Uganda’s Second National Development Plan (NDPII), the Information Communication & Technology (ICT) sector is envisaged to facilitate sustainable, effective, and efficient development through harnessing and utilizing ICT in all spheres of life.
The sector comprises telecommunications, postal services, information technology (IT), and broadcasting subsectors.
The key focus of the ICT sector includes the collaborative development of an interoperable or compatible and secure ubiquitous ICT infrastructure; the creation of an enabling environment aligned with emerging changes; enhancing integration and automation of e-government services and positioning Uganda competitively in the global ICT market; enhancing capacity for local content development and usage in the various ICT sector services; and development of quality ICT human capital stock to meet the industry demands for ICT skills and support Research & Development (R&D).
According to the National ICT Policy framework, information is a resource that activates various sectors of the economy, making it possible for producers and consumers to be linked to markets. Mobile phones, radios, television, and computers/laptops are the main equipment used in ICT.
The availability of information provides an opportunity for the public to participate meaningfully in governance through engaging in public discussions and contributing to decision-making. Under the Comprehensive National Development Planning Framework (CNDPF) and in conformity with the National Vision 2040, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has been identified as one of the key priority thematic areas in the development process.
Vision 2040 stipulates that the ICT and ICT Enabled Services (Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES)) industry has enormous opportunities that Uganda can exploit to transform the economy and people’s lives through job creation, accelerated economic growth, and significantly increased productivity.
ICT provides an opportunity to improve national productivity by making government and business enterprises more efficient, effective, and globally competitive. There is potential to improve the availability of digital content and e-products, automate government processes, enhance inter-agency connectivity, increase innovation, bridge the gap between industry and academia, and commercialize research and development (Uganda’s Vision 2040).
Internet accessibility has made information readily available and within easy reach. It has revolutionized communications and social networking, creating an international zone. The internet plays a significant role in removing the borders of nations and assisting in the process of globalization.
In the general survey report, the availability, access, and quality of the nearest internet access point in the community showed that 40% of communities indicated that an internet access point was available in their area. Forty-four per cent of communities reported that the internet access point was less than 3 kilometres from the village centre. In contrast, 37% of communities reported that the internet access point was more than 8 kilometres from the village centre.
Regarding the internet access point services, 52% of the communities rated the service as average, 45% as good, and 4% as poor.
Usage of the internet
Four in every ten persons (43%) cited lack of confidence, knowledge, or skills as the primary reason for not using the internet. This was followed by those who stated that they did not need the internet (18%).
Seventeen per cent reported that equipment cost was too high, especially for persons aged 15-24. Twelve per cent mentioned the cost of the service as the main reason for not using the internet.
The postal system
The postal system is one of the oldest communication systems in the world. Postal services facilitate trade, commerce, and communications at home and abroad. These services act as an essential intermediary linking businesses and consumers and undertake activities necessary for the functioning of modern market economies. The business sector heavily relies on postal services for core business processes such as advertising, relationship management, distribution, and delivery.
The post is also integral to generating revenue, employment, and national coverage. Postal services are, at the same time, a powerful source of social cohesion while, historically, the vast postal network has been a vital lever in economic and social development.
The 2016/17 UNHS also collected information on the use of postal services by any household member in the last 30 days. The results showed that less than 1% of households had used postal services (0.3%) in the previous 30 days.
Regarding access to the homes that had utilised postal services, five out of every ten people stated that the service was more than ten miles away from their residence.
All households that used postal services in the 30 days preceding the survey were asked to state their related challenges. Overall, 32% of households reported that the postal office/outlet was nonexistent, 29% indicated that the service was very far from the household, 21% stated that the service was unreliable, and 18% indicated that the service was expensive.