Government has committed to the completion of a countrywide extension of internet connectivity in two years’ time.
According to Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, the current internet connectivity is at 60% and efforts put in by the government to increase it are high.
“We want to extend the fiber and reach every corner of the country. We are also in negotiations with relevant parties so that we support and supplement the Satellite so that we can ease this connectivity,” he said.
Due to the landlocked nature of the country, Dr. Baryomunsi said that they are using a C-cable hooked through, from the Indian Ocean.
“We have already implemented the four phases and are now on phase five and are sure that in one and a half years, the entire country will be connected,” he said adding that,
“We want to start on the last mile connection which includes extending internet to District Headquarters, Health Centres, and Schools among others. We have realized that Satellite is cheaper than cables.”
While he officiated the 24th graduation ceremony of Ndejje University on Friday, Baryomunsi said the initiative is part of the government’s digitization process.
“We want to ensure that someone who is in Karamoja can get employed in the USA at ease through Business Process Outsourcing.”
A total of 1937 graduands received Certificates, Diplomas, and Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees in various fields. 763 (39.4%) of these are females, and 1174 (60.4%) are males.
At the graduation held under the theme: Transcending Education Horizon with Integrated Impact, Prof. Eriabu Lugujjo, the University Vice Chancellor expressed concern over the deteriorating number of female graduands, which he attributed to covid-19 effects.
“The number has significantly reduced from 47% recorded in 2020 and 52.2% in 2019 but I hope the numbers will increase in the future,” he said.
Lugujjo to this end advised graduands to always make the best out of every situation, keep themselves constructively occupied, set their own standards judiciously, be confident and leave an atomic model style of life with God as the nucleus.
The University, he said is driving science and IT Agenda to ensure that they produce skills-centered students who help in providing solutions to Uganda’s day-to-day problems.
“We, therefore, ask government to add us more support through fulfilling some of its pledges, and as you are aware Hon. Minister, we are hosting the East African University Games in December as we mark 30 years of existence, so we need your help.”
Dr. Baryomunsi in response said that government is cognizant of the problems associated with running a private University in such hard times and lauded Ndejje University for remaining afloat, against all odds.
Dr. Hannington Mutebi Nsubuga, the University Chancellor conveyed gratitude to the government for the support it has extended to the University in various aspects.
“The support has been able to sustain this University and in fact, the government is one of the key stakeholders and partners.”.
