KAMPALA – Global tech giants; Microsoft Enterprise to together with Ministry of ICT and National Guidance on Monday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to solve Uganda’s problems through Information Communication Technology.
According to a statement issued by Frank Tumwebaze, the ICT and National Guidance minister, the MoU will help both parties to leverage the usage of Microsoft technologies and expertise to transform Uganda’s ICT innovation landscape for socio-economic development.
ICT ministry permanent Secretary Vicent Bagiire signed an MOU while Sebuh Haileleu, the Country Manager, Microsoft signed on behalf of the tech giants.
“As an established leader in productivity and platform technology, it makes sense to partner with Microsoft,” he said and that the MoU is in line with Uganda’s ‘Vision 2040. Under the new arrangement, the partnership will support Uganda to enhance e-government and e-commerce to promote development.
“I am happy to witness the signing of an MOU for technical collaboration between Microsoft and ICT ministry on mentoring of start-ups. When Tech-multinationals come and transfer skills to our innovators the qualities of their innovations improve and can be exported globally.”
The MoU will harness a 21st-century developer ecosystem in the region and by developing technical excellence Uganda will be well poised to develop next-generation applications.
“We look forward to working with the Ministry through the identified collaboration initiatives. We hope to continue to nurture and develop a society fully equipped to create and execute innovation,” Sebuh Haileleu, the Country Manager, Microsoft East Africa said.
The new partnership builds on other collaborations Microsoft has with Uganda and regional organisations, including with Makerere University and Innovations village in Ntinda.
Towards the MOU, the Ministry will contribute adequate resources such as personnel for pilot programs, proofs of concept and subsequent projects in order to achieve the outlined initiatives.
According to the statement, one of the objectives for signing the MOU between the ICT ministry and Microsoft is to support the development of the next generation applications by building technical expertise to spur innovation through initiatives such as the Microsoft App Factory Program.
Ministry of ICT this year (2018) has invested in helping startups that are technology related and there’s a whole fund for that.
