KAMPALA – President Museveni has on Tuesday, December 17 officially launched the ICT Innovations Expo 2019.
The president visited different exhibition stalls and commended the different Ugandans who are embracing technology as a game-changer in the face of human and global needs.
Among the exhibitors, is a one William Wasswa whose innovation is about easily identifying cervical cancer amongst women.
In a statement, Museveni said that “I have also seen a digital hospital where patients can be examined, and diagnosed in just minutes. I must say I am greatly impressed by the step Uganda is taking towards technology.”
“Technology is no longer a choice but a necessity, I would, therefore, like to assure Ugandans that we will work towards eliminating import solutions in the ICT sector, such money should be diverted to local innovators,” he added.
The president revealed that there will always be money to fund local innovations.
“Once you show that we can use it, we can then show the money,” he said.
Museveni said that he has been informed that data bundles subscribed to by internet users specifically on MTN will no longer have an expiry date.
“I do not understand why there was an expiry date in the first place, because this is paid for service and it should not be taken away until its money value is diminished. Nonetheless, that is a move in the right direction,” he said.
He said that about internet service, the government has worked with the Chinese to build the ICT backbone, the underground cables which can take all the data because the satellite system was really expensive.