(Kampala) – The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, has assured Parliament that the ongoing projects under the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U) will proceed despite the rationalisation process approved by Parliament. Obua explained that while NITA-U is among the agencies identified for rationalisation, it will benefit from a three-year transitional period, allowing it to continue executing key infrastructure projects.
Obua made these comments in response to concerns raised by Hon. Tom Alero, representing West Moyo County, who inquired about the progress of national backbone infrastructure and e-government projects. Alero reminded the House that President Yoweri Museveni had launched phase four of the connectivity project for the West Nile region in May 2019. He further noted that the government has secured loan support from the EXIM Bank and the World Bank to implement phase five of the programme.
Alero also highlighted the issue of internet access in remote areas of the West Nile, specifically mentioning villages such as Arapi and Bari in Moyo District that currently lack internet connectivity. He called for clarification on when these hard-to-reach areas would be included in the national internet infrastructure.
In his response, Obua reassured the House that NITA-U’s projects would not be disrupted. He emphasized that once the rationalisation Bills are passed by Parliament, NITA-U will continue to implement its projects, including those funded by the Chinese loan and the World Bank. These projects aim to provide last-mile internet connectivity, covering the areas mentioned by Alero.
Obua further added that there is optimism the projects will continue uninterrupted, and that “we shall cross the bridge when we get there,” referring to the completion of the rationalisation process.
The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, directed the Minister for ICT and National Guidance to update Parliament within one week on the specific areas to be covered by the national backbone infrastructure project. This will be followed up by the House Committee on ICT and National Guidance.
