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

Wed Jan 14 12:34:43 EAT 2009

Alice,

I may not share your opinion the study notwithstanding. The creation of an
ICT ministry is important at this point in time because of the complexity of
the sector. After listening to our learned colleagues dissecting the KC
ammendment act of 2008 and reading an article in todays standard about the
media act where they are refering to the act as "Mchuzi-Mix" am of the
opinion that creating the ministry might be for greater national good
otherwise we might continue finding ourselves in tussles due to the dynamic
nature of the ICT industry. In as much us we are talking about convergence,
we shouldnt forget to ask ourselves what is this that is converging, in my
humble opinion this is where the problem begins, each sector needs to be
,managed as a separate entity if we are to derive benefits from it
optimumly. The PS reminded us that there was no need to re-invent the wheel
if we had working systems in other countires that we might emulate, in the
same spirit could we get input from our friends in Uganda on whether the
model is serving them. The issue is not just about having a ministry but a
high level vehicle that deals solely with matters ICT.
Regards
On Tue, Jan 13, 2009 at 11:46 PM, alice <alice at apc.org> wrote:

> I agree with David on some of the aspects here.
>
> We really don't need yet another ministry. Not for  ICT.
> A study of Kenya's institutional structures and models for implementing the
> National ICT plan conducted by IDRC in 2005  found  " evidence of
> significant role confusion" and  a lack of overall coordinating mechanisms
> among ICT related public institutions in Kenya.
>
> So why not begin by  addressing these challenges? more so within the
> context of the KC Amendment Act 2008.
>
> best
> alice
>
> P.S Views expressed are personal and not a reflection of any of the
> organisations/institutions I am affiliated with.
>
>
>   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.
>>
>> 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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>>
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>
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