KAMPALA – As we enter into the new decade, we have been presented with new trends & challenges most currently it is the COVID-19. Pandemics like COVID -19 have always created a paradigm shift in the way we see the world today.
In the 14 th Century, Europe experienced the Black Pandemic and it was during the ‘social distancing’ quarantine, at that time that Albert Einstein created one of the world’s greatest innovations, it was also the same time William Shakespeare wrote the famous ‘King Lear’ and many other pandemics.
Wars and calamities have caused an evolution in the way people live and work today.
As a young man of 30years, my generation has experienced an evolution in the dynamics of economics and lifestyle that will shape the way we exist as human beings.
With Social Distancing as the No.1 solution for the novel Covid -19, Our business, traditional and religious cultures need solutions to keep them afloat and at the same time abide by the ‘Social Distancing’.
This therefore sparked off a number of innovations that have now been dubbed ‘the New Normal’.
It is without a doubt that ‘Necessity is the Mother of All Invention’ thus sectors of our economy have adapted into the New Normal with ICT; Our Transport system has become more organised & effective with innovations like Safe Boda Taxify, Uber among others.
The Entertainment Industry has adapted to the Online Shows, the Food Industry is now very comfortable with the home deliveries with Jumia Food and Safe Boda.
Our education sector is still seeking on how to utilise ICT.
Recently, the government announced the distribution of learning material and plans of procuring radios and televisions to be distributed in the villages and sub-counties since rolling out of digital avenues does not favour the majority both in the urban and rural areas.
Our political governance is looking at having Scientific Elections.
With all these current scenarios of the New Normal, it is clear that the Integration of ICT in all sectors of our economy is a key creating economic growth of this young population comprised of about 70 percent youth.
Innovations like Matic Computers,
Ugandan hardware, Software Development and Management Company aiming at revolutionizing the Information Technology Sector of Africa established in 2014 has been at the forefront in designing and assembling Uganda’s 1 st ever Computer.
The Matic Computer; a Portable, Affordable, High Tech Computer that can fit into the Integration of ICT to all sectors of the economy.
Ugandans were first introduced to computers in the 1960’s just after independence for effective administration for the new nation; the first computer ever in Uganda was an unwieldy mainframe, which arrived in 1967. However, with continued accessibility, computer literacy and technological growth the majority of Ugandans use the Desktop computer with a Large CPU.
The COVID Pandemic and the economic aftermath should encourage domestic Investors like Matic Technologies in order to spark off economic recovery.
As E-Government service delivery starts to catch on; the Government of Uganda with the leadership of The President of Uganda; H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has advocated for Ugandans to design and assemble our Made in Uganda Computers in order to develop technology locally.
In order to build on ICT Intergation into the major sectors, Matic Technlogies have systematically designed this computer to cater for various sectors of the economy and various institutions of the Government by providing locally made computers at fairly low prices and thus increase accessibility of the local market to computers and thus boosting the key sectors of the economy particularly the Education sector.
Post COVID – 19 has greatly affected the Education sector but has also exposed a few loopholes at the same time.
It requires ICT solutions to offer quality education to our young generation. With Matic Computers, Online Education can be emphasized for a balanced, widely informative and effective education for students from all regions of Uganda.
Small Scale Industries such as Matic Technologies should be empowered by supporting these Domestic Investors and innovation by reducing the red-tape to fasten access to government financial services from the different MDA’s (Ministries, Departments & Agencies) in Uganda.
Finally, the COVID – 19 has had a negative impact on the economics of many Medium & Small Scale Industries; it is vital that as the economy opens up, we adapt to the Integration of ICT to the New Normal of Business in Uganda.
ICT Innovations should be supported with financial access through linkages into Development Partners like Uganda Development Bank and other Government MDA’s in order to hasten economic recovery.
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Mr. Philbert Mwebembezi Kagangure is a Marketing & Public Relations Professional. Head of Marketing, Matic Technologies.
