[kictanet] [Fwd: [DigAfrica] Uganda consumers get ICT lobby]

Tue Jan 13 06:02:56 EAT 2009

Hello Makali,

On Mon, Jan 12, 2009 at 11:44 PM,  <dmakali at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi Waudo
> Would you rather belong to the ministry of science and technology?
>
> I don't quite buy the idea that having a ministry is a panacea for anything. I also don't quite get the rationale for this clamour for 'our'  ministry! Not with the many ict institutions, including ict board, already in place.  Actually, you guys can have the information and comm ministry. We wud actually be happy to separate the laws.  We in the media don't crave for much govt. For us the lesser govt the better bkos it doesn't add any value to our work nor do we depend on it. The framework for freedom of expression, the FOl, is all we need. And that isn't forthcoming soon despite dr ndemo's promises.
> Give us that and kenya will be a beautifu and prosperous place witht good govt.
> My thoughts.

Three reactions:

1. We are in agreement in regard to saving public taxes by avoiding
creation of yet another ministry when 'convergence' has led into a
networked communications environment. Fortunately, some of the media
houses, for example NMG, would appear to have taken  cognizance and
taken steps toward it <http://www.nation.co.ke/editorialteam>

2. Whether broadcasters desire their "own" law, ministry, or
grievances framework, we must 'converge' at some point because you
deal with information and communicating it which needs regulation. An
example is UK's ('CCK') on broadcasting content regulation
<http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/features/broadtin> and BBC complaints
handling <http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle.shtml>

3. Yesterday the Minister for Information and Communications repeated
government's  commitment to fast enact FOI. It was good to note the
priority given given to this very important law that we do not have.
Fundamentally, FOI law is for all people (not just the media) have
access to information along the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
<http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html> thus everyone enjoys their
basic freedoms 'regardless of all frontiers.' Everyone is obligated to
uphold UDHR ....We agree here!

You will be at today's Civil Society Public Forum, won't you?

regards,

Alex

(Sent from my wireless device;)

> Sent from my BlackBerry(R) wireless device
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "waudo siganga" <emailsignet at mailcan.com>
>
> Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:38:46
> To: <dmakali at yahoo.com>
> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Fwd: [DigAfrica] Uganda consumers get ICT lobby]
>
>
> Talking of Uganda I have just learnt that they have a separate ICT
> Ministry (headed by our good friend Mulira) and a completely separate
> Ministry of Information and NATIONAL GUIDANCE to regulate
> media/broadcast content etc. I still believe in the superiority of a
> distinct ICT Ministry model .
> Waudo
>
> On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:01:09 +0300, "alice" <alice at apc.org> said:
>>
>> http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/-/2560/512428/-/6437suz/-
>> <http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/-/2560/512428/-/6437suz/->
>> /index.html
>>
>> ----------------------
>>
>> Uganda consumers get ICT lobby
>> By ESTHER NAKKAZI
>>
>> Posted Friday, January 9 2009 at 14:26
>>
>> Dissatisfied ICT consumers in Uganda can now seek redress from the
>> Uganda ICT Consumer Protection Association, in case of bad service,
>> substandard products and general unscrupulous practices by data and
>> voice service providers.
>>
>> The new lobby, which starts work later this month, will particularly
>> address the issue of slow data speeds delivered by Internet service
>> providers that do not correspond with the bandwidth paid for;
>> overpricing of services and substandard mobile handsets sold at rock
>> bottom prices through product promotions.
>>
>> The lobby's agenda is to ensure that consumers get value for money;
>> act as an arbiter between consumers and service providers; be a
>> platform for redress; be a proactive independent body that will set
>> standards for service providers and also create an avenue for
>> educating the public on consumer rights.
>>
>> "We want to bring the different players together for the good of the
>> industry. Consumers will get to understand what the suppliers are
>> giving them and the service providers will in turn realise that they
>> cannot get away with poor service," said James Wire Lunghabo,
>> chairman of the lobby and an IT expert at Linux Solutions.
>>
>> Mr Lunghabo said the lobby is not out to antagonise service providers
>> but to hold them accountable and make them understand that "quality
>> of service in the ICT sector is a right, not a favour."
>>
>> The chairman of the Parliamentary ICT Committee Edward Baliddawa,
>> said, "The lobby is a good initiative that will create checks and
>> balances within the industry. It will go a long way in helping to
>> educate consumers, most of whom do not have the capacity to verify
>> quality of services offered."
>>
>> The lobby group will complement the regulator Uganda Communications
>> Commission, which is mandated by the government to do this work.
>>
>> But critics say that though the Commission is mandated to handle
>> consumer complaints, the fact that it is funded by the service
>> providers, it cannot not be a fair arbiter.
>>
>> The Commission is funded through licence fees paid by ICT operators,
>> the government, a 1 per cent levy from operators' revenue under the
>> Rural Communication Development Fund and other fees, which the lobby
>> group says should be accounted for by an independent body. The
>> Commission runs a consumer relations desk that has been accused of
>> being docile.
>>
>> Commission officials said the new lobby is free to ask it for funding
>> as funds for such activities are available, given that the issue of
>> consumer protection is too big to be handled by a single entity.
>>
>> "We welcome every initiative and will be glad to have civil society
>> and public collaboration. The issue of consumer protection calls for
>> concerted efforts by all stakeholders in the sector," said Fred
>> Otunnu, the Director of Communications and Consumer Affairs at the
>> UCC.
>>
>> However, some industry players have already expressed reservations,
>> saying that if the lobby is to be funded by the Commission, it will
>> be controlled by the government and so lose its independence.
>>
>> http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/-/2560/512428/-/6437suz/-
>> <http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/-/2560/512428/-/6437suz/->
>> /index.html
>>
>> __._,_
>> __,_._,___
>>
>>
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