Uganda: Information and ICT

The puzzle the Information Age presents has won Ugandans two full Cabinent Ministeries and a State Ministry! This thing called information, has warranted that the government of Uganda led by H.E. Rtd. Lt. Gen. Y.K. Museveni, Chairman NRMO and Commander in Chief (CIC) of UPDF, create the vacancies for:

• Minister of Information and National Guidance.
• Minister of communication and information communication technology (ICT).
• And Minister of State for ICT.

These three ministries shall be dealing with information in all its context. Need I include Dr. Nsaba Buturo, the former head in the Department of Information in the office of the President. Well Dr. Nsaba Buturo is now a an almighty Minister for Ethics in the Office of the Vice President! Ethics!! What ever that means! Nevertheless, I can't help witnessing Uganda discuss the nitty gritties of handling this information age and the knowledge economy!

Below is the full list of the new cabinet that was sworn in today June, 02 2006. This is an extract from Uganda's leading daily -The New Vision of June 02 2006. (The emphasises are mine!)
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1. PRESIDENT: Yoweri Museveni
2. Vice President: Prof. Gilbert Bukenya
3. PM Prof. Apolo Nsibambi
4. First DPM and Minister in Charge of EA Affairs: Eriya Kategaya
5. Second DPM and Minister of Public of Service: Henry Kajura
6. Third DPM and Minister of Information and National Guidance: Kirunda Kivejinja
7. Minister for Security: Amama Mbabazi
8. Presidency: Beatrice Wabudeya
9. General Duties (OPM): Adolf Mwesige
10. Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries: Hillary Onek
11. Defence: Dr Crispus Kiyonga
12. Relief and Disaster Preparedness: Tarsis Kabwegyere
13. Education and Sports: Namirembe Bitamazire
14. Energy and Minerals: Daudi Migereko
15. Internal Affairs: Ruhakana Rugunda
16. Finance: Dr Ezra Suruma
17. Works: John Nasasira
18. Justice, Constitutional Affairs and AG: Dr Khiddu Makubuya
19. Gender, Labour and Social Affairs: Syda Bumba
20. Trade and Industry: Janat Mukwaya
21. Water and Environment: Maria Mutagamba
22. Lands, Housing and Urban Development: Omara Atubo
23. Health: Dr Steven Mallinga
24. Foreign Affairs: Sam Kutesa
25. Minister of communication and information communication technology (ICT):Ham Muliira
26. Local Government: Maj. General Kahinda Otafiire
27. Without Portfolio: Dorothy Hyuha
28. Chief Whip: Kabakumba Masiko

MINISTERS OF STATE:

1. Agriculture: Kibirige Ssebunya
2. Fisheries: Fred Mukisa
3. Animal Industry: Maj. Bright Rwamirama
4. Higher Education: Gabriel Opio
5. Primary Education: Peter Lokeris
6. Sports: Charles Bakabulindi
7. Energy: Simon D’Ujanga
8. Minerals: Kamanda Bataringaya
9. Finance (General Duties): Fred Omach
10. Planning: Omwony Ojwok
11. Microfinance: Salim Saleh
12. Investment: Prof. Ssemakula Kiwanuka
13. Privatisation: Chekamondo Rukia
14. Foreign Afairs (International Affairs): Okello Oryem
15. Regional Affairs: Isaac Musumba
16. Gender (Women) Rukia Isanga
17. Youth: James Kinobe
18. Labour: Mwesigwa Rukutana
19. Disabilities: Sulaiman Madada
20. Health (General): Richard Nduhura
21. Primary Health Care: Dr Otaala Emmanuel
22. Housing: Werikhe Kafabusa
23. Urban Development: Urbane Tibamanya
24. Lands: Atwoki Kasirivu
25. Office of the VP: Economic Monitoring): Kagimu Kiwanuka
26. OVP (Ethics): Nsaba Buturo
27. Office of PM (Relief and Disaster preparedness): Musa Ecweru
28. OPM (Northern Uganda): David Wakikona
29. OPM (Karamoja): Tom Butime
30. OPM (Luwero Triangle): Nyombi Thembo
31. Trade, Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities: Wambuzi Gagawala
32. Industry: Ephraim Kamuntu
33. Tourism: Serapio Rukundo
34. Water: Jenipher Namuyangu
35. Environment: Jessica Eriyo
36. Transport: Simon Ejua
37. Works: John Byabagambi
38. Defence: Ruth Nankabirwa
39. VP Office: James Baba
40. Internal Affairs: Matia Kasaija
41. Justice: Fred Ruhindi
42. ICT: Nsambu Balintuma
43. Local Government: Hope Mwesigye
44. Public Service: Sezi Mbaguta

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One for the road -The notorious self styled Lt. Gen. Joseph Kony of the LRA is a fugitive. Kony's atrocities are well documented.
Justice or peace? South Sudan meets rebel fugitive: By Daniel Wallis JUBA, Sudan, June 2 (Reuters) -

Why would Africa's youngest regional government risk world opprobrium by meeting with and supplying a guerrilla commander notorious for slaughtering civilians, abducting children and mutilating his victims? The government of Southern Sudan last month shocked many regional observers by holding unprecedented talks with fugitive Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony and giving him food and $20,000 in cash.

Tomorrow Saturday the 3rd June 2006, is Uganda Martyrs' Day.