[kictanet] Uganda: ICT Sector Brought in Sh256b in 2007

[Harry Hare]

Interesting figures here from Uganda, unfortunately no comparison was made
(or at least the journalist did not capture it) with 2006 figures to measure
the growth in the past 12 months. What is interesting is that ICT has
contributed to 9% of the GDP! Any such measurement from CCK?

Harry 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
New Vision (Kampala)
17 January 2008
Posted to the web 18 January 2008
David Muwanga
Kampala
THE information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector attracted projects
worth sh256b ($150m) last year, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC),
has announced. "Investment in the sector for the year 2007 was estimated at
$150m and its contribution to the gross domestic product is approximately
9%," Patrick Masambu, the head of UCC, said on Monday. Masambu was speaking
at a function where MTN, uganda telecom and Celtel handed in a combined
contribution of sh5.1b to the rural communication development the fund.

The telecom operators give a conditional 1% of their annual gross earnings
to fund. Masambu explained that more than 300,000 jobs were created directly
and indirectly. "This is an increase of one hundred times following the
restructuring of the sector and this is likely to increase as a result of
the new service providers recruitment drive as well as indirect employment,"
he said. He disclosed that over 20 companies had been licensed to provide
voice telephony and data services.

"A wide range of modern postal products including easy mail track and trace,
electronic money transfer are now available in the market and the public
should utilise them," Masambu said. He said the customer base had also grown
from 50,000 in 1998 to 4.7m, representing a tele-density of about 16%.
Masambu, however, warned of several challenges the fund faces, including
infrastructure limitations in rural areas and insecurity.


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