<div dir="ltr"><div>Uganda seems to want to go the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.1" style class="">KE</span> way (public ownership), while .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.2" style class="">KE</span> wants to go the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.3" style class="">UG</span> way (private ownership). Are there any lessons the two registries can learn from each other?<br><br><br><a href="http://www">http://www</a>.<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.4" style class="">newvision</span>.co.<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.5" style class="">ug</span>/news/368-blogger-the-<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.6" style class="">ug</span>-debate-is-<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.7" style class="">redelegation</span>-necessary.<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.8" style class="">aspx</span><br><br><strong>There has been a lot said about the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.9" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.10" style class="">ccTLD</span> (Country Code
Top Level Domain) management over the years and by the look of things we
seem to be reaching the peak of this debate. </strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Legislators have been drawn into the debate and judging from what
we hear them say, there is definitely a lot of misinformation going on.
There is cause for concern when one comes across news headlines like, “A
Private Firm Owns Uganda's Internet Domain Name” and MP <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.11" style class="">Taaka's</span> query
that “Is Uganda safe considering that .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.12" style class="">UG</span> as a domain name is privately
owned?”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>For starters, a <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.13" style class="">ccTLD</span> is a two letter domain name extension that
corresponds to a country (.<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.14" style class="">ke</span> – Kenya, .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.15" style class="">tz</span> – Tanzania, .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.16" style class="">rw</span> – Rwanda, .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.17" style class="">uk</span>
– United Kingdom) , territory or geographic location. So, to make
things clear, .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.18" style class="">ug</span> isn't a domain name as is being insinuated in the
discussions going on in the august house. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In the early 1990s at the start of the globalised <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.19" style class="">internet</span> age,
<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.20" style class="">ccTLDs</span> were issued to various countries and for those that never had the
capacity to manage them, help came from <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.21" style class="">ICANN</span> through various agencies.
Uganda was one of those countries that never had the capacity and <a href="http://www.internethalloffame.org/inductees/randy-bush">Randy Bush</a> an Internet Pioneer and founder of the <a href="http://www.nsrc.org">Network <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.22" style class="">Startup</span> Resource Centre (<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.23" style class="">NSRC</span>)</a>
volunteered to carry out the technical management of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.24" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.25" style class="">ccTLD</span>.
Around the same period, a then youthful and ambitious Ugandan Engineer, <a href="http://ug.linkedin.com/in/charlesi3c">Charles <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.26" style class="">Musisi</span></a>
had picked a lot of interest in the nascent <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.27" style class="">internet</span> technologies of
the times. His interest led him to set up the first email service in
Uganda (FIDO-NET) and as well join a group of <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.28" style class="">internet</span> pioneers on the
African continent. This interest and exposure led him to pick interest
in the management of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.29" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.30" style class="">ccTLD</span> as far back as the mid 1990s. On
application, he was assigned the administrative rights and Randy Bush
continued to offer the technical management support as Charles' company
then, Uganda Online (now called Infinity Computers and Communications
Company Ltd - i3C) started developing local capacity to do the same.
Eventually, he was able to wean off Randy Bush's support and his company
took over full technical and administrative management of the <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.31" style class="">ccTLD</span>.
Did he buy the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.32" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.33" style class="">ccTLD</span> as is alleged? NO. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Around the same time, his colleagues in Kenya and Tanzania also
undertook management of their countries' <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.34" style class="">ccTLDs</span> albeit with mixed
results. Dr. Shem <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.35" style class="">Ochuodho</span> was eventually booted out of .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.36" style class="">ke</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.37" style class="">ccTLD</span>
Management having failed to perform to the expectations of the community
which led to the set up of <a href="http://www.kenic.or.ke"><span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.38" style class="">KENIC</span></a>.
It is worth noting that Uganda Online was able to successfully
commercialise the management of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.39" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.40" style class="">ccTLD</span> and this is evidenced by
the fact that the <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.41" style class="">ccTLD</span> has operated in a stable environment over the
years without seeking any financial aid.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, like anything, change in the <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.42" style class="">internet</span> landscape will
always necessitate changes in the supporting technologies and services.
Currently, there has been a significant growth in the state's interest
in <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.43" style class="">ICT</span> infrastructure and services provision. This has seen the country
undertake numerous interventions like the roll out of the National Fibre
Backbone, promotion of the Business Process Outsourcing, e-Government
implementation among others. The .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.44" style class="">ug</span> is also being looked at as one of
those services that are likely to help fill the puzzle of <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.45" style class="">ICT</span>
proliferation in Uganda. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Draft Policy Framework for the management of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.46" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.47" style class="">ccTLD</span> has
as its major objective, “to <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.48" style class="">formalize</span> management of .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.49" style class="">ug</span> Country Code Top
Level Domain Name and come up with a management framework that will
ensure transparency and greater accountability towards the Internet
community of Uganda and the rest of the Global Internet Community.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The current status-<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.50" style class="">quo</span> is characterised by:</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Efficient assignment of domain names</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Decent Support for technical issues</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Uniform domain registration costs</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Stable Domain Name System (<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.51" style class="">DNS</span>) services</div>
<div>It is clear that <a href="http://www.i3c.co.ug">i3C</a> is
performing well on the technical front and not much can be said in that
regard. However, as a private company, it has limitations on what can be
achieved especially if one asks the following questions;</div>
<div>1.<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What governance systems are in place for the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.52" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.53" style class="">ccTLD</span> as a national resource currently?</div>
<div>2.<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What policies and procedures are there for the issuance, renewal, and arbitration of domain related disputes?</div>
<div>3.<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>If policies are present, who designed them and was there community participation?</div>
<div>4.<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What strategies are in place to promote the usage of .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.54" style class="">ug</span> by nationals?</div>
<div>5.<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What
universal access measures are in place to ensure that various sections
of society aren't alienated on the basis of gender, rural/urban divides,
youth, disability among others?</div>
<div>6.<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What
measures are in place to ensure that the Government of Uganda (the
custodian of Uganda's resources on behalf of the people) actively
participates in influencing the direction of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.55" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.56" style class="">ccTLD</span>?</div>
<div>7.<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What measures are in place to ensure that civil society can have its input/feedback into the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.57" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.58" style class="">ccTLD</span> management process?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>At the current pace, there are more gaps being created in the
overall .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.59" style class="">ug</span> management and the earlier they are addressed, the better. A
quick look at the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.60" style class="">ke</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.61" style class="">ccTLD</span>, one is able to get updated information on
how many domains that are registered and active, standing at 30,156
domains with a target of 33,800 domains by the close of 2014. Not only
is it hard to get accurate information on the number of domains
registered and active at the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.62" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.63" style class="">ccTLD</span> but the last time I got a whiff,
the estimate was 3000 domains and assuming the numbers have doubled
since then, our next door <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.64" style class="">neighbors</span> are definitely rounding us up five
times. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>For purposes of cross comparisons, this table reveals a couple of things;</div>
<div><input src="http://www.newvision.co.ug/newvision_cms/newsimages/image/Arthur/Comparissons%20of%20UG%20and%20KE.jpg" height="162" hspace="6" type="image" vspace="6" width="500"> </div>
<div>The Government of Uganda through the <a href="http://www.ict.go.ug">Ministry of <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.69" style class="">ICT</span></a>
has come out to crusade for the formation of the Uganda National
Information Centre (<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.73" style class="">ugNIC</span>) a not for profit company comprising of
representatives from government, Internet Service Providers, Civil
Society/<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.82" style class="">NGOs</span>, consumers, infrastructure providers, academia and the
business community. The <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.87" style class="">ugNIC</span> shall have the mandate to manage the
operations of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.91" style class="">ug</span>.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>According to the outlined functions for the <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.95" style class="">ugNIC</span>, it is worth
noting that some issues were left out. It is vital that the company
created should also undertake;</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Marketing of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.101" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.102" style class="">ccTLD</span> to win national <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.104" style class="">appeal</span></div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Handling domain dispute resolution according to the set out guidelines and policies</div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the basis of this, it should therefore be clear that the following are mere myths:</div>
<div>1.<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>That <a href="http://ug.linkedin.com/in/charlesi3c">Charles <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.115" style class="">Musisi</span></a> or his company <a href="http://www.i3c.co.ug">i3C</a> OWN the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.117" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.118" style class="">ccTLD</span></div>
<div>2.<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>That the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.120" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.121" style class="">ccTLD</span> was assigned to a private company in bad faith.</div>
<div>3.<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>That Government officials gave away the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.128" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.129" style class="">ccTLD</span> to a private entity.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As an active member of the Internet Space in Uganda, some of the
reasons why I support the proposed changes in the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.138" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.139" style class="">ccTLD</span>
administration are;</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Increased public accountability of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.142" style class="">ug</span> resource</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Increased community participation in determining the future of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.146" style class="">ug</span> resource</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The
need to separate the Technical and Administrative management of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.151" style class="">ug</span>
resource. While i3C may have performed well handling the Technical
aspects, it has fallen short on the Administrative front.</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The lack of a well <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.162" style class="">incentivised</span> reseller programme has greatly hindered the promotion of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.167" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.168" style class="">ccTLD</span> locally.</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The need for serious promotion and marketing of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.173" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.174" style class="">ccTLD</span></div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Opportunity for using Government resources to <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.177" style class="">upskill</span> the technical managers of the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.179" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.180" style class="">ccTLD</span>.</div>
<div>•<span class="" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Having witnessed companies fold, what happens if i3C closed shop out of the blue? It happened to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enron"><span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.190" style class="">Enron</span></a>
(One of the largest energy companies in the world during the last
century). Risking the .<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.199" style class="">ug</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.200" style class="">ccTLD</span> resource to this level can have a
massive impact on the nation in case such a scenario plays out.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As the Ugandan Internet community, we need to be careful to avoid
the misinformation that is flying around and also ensure that we lend
our support in a manner that will put national benefit at the forefront
while not forgetting the patriotic work people like <a href="http://ug.linkedin.com/in/charlesi3c">Engineer Charles <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.223" style class="">Musisi</span></a> have rendered this nation in the past.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/wirejames">@<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.228" style class="">wirejames</span></a></div>
<div>Email: <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.230" style class="">lunghabo</span> [at] gmail [dot] <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.233" style class="">com</span></div><div><div dir="ltr">______________________<br><span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.234" style class="">Mwendwa</span> <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.235" style class="">Kivuva</span>, Nairobi, Kenya<br><a href="http://twitter.com/lordmwesh" target="_blank">twitter.com/<span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.239" style class="">lordmwesh</span></a><br><br><div><span style="color:rgb(41,47,51);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:22px;white-space:pre-wrap">"There are some men who lift the age they inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime." - Maxwell <span tabindex="-1" id=":1nf.252" style class="">Anderson</span></span><br></div></div></div>
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