Showing posts with label e-governance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label e-governance. Show all posts

Monday, June 16, 2008

Khartoum telecom surveillance service

Hullo, this is customer care [Khartoum] shall you avail us your full names i.e the four names: your two names, your father's name and grand father's name. Please also avail your passport number, nationality and the block number or plot number of your residence. Thank you.

Persons in Juba are receiving similar calls, and demands as if the wonderful government of Khartoum was going to provide a service. Some have complied and others have refused to comply. This is yet another infringement on the rights of the citizens of the information society in the troubled Sudanl. Persons in Juba are receiving similar calls, demands and the failure to comply warrants blocking the blocking of services to you hard bought cell phone and simcard. Sudan is fast becoming a surveillance failed state. The customer centers have taken yet an ugly role.

A government that has terrorised its own citizens in South Sudan, Darfur, Blue Nile and in the Nuba mountains is attempting to secure you might know whom. The CPA, and the GoSS arrangement spelt a direct war ceasefire but the indirect war continues. The war not yet over. The telecom crackdown service is testimony to this. The following networks in Sudan (South Sudan) are affected: Sudani, and Mobitel (= Zain = Celtel). Gemtel might not be affected as of now since it uses the Uganda country code +256 although it is about to revert to the +249 country code of Uganda. With what is happening, Gemtel may as well rethink a position.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Ministry of ICT Uganda Website

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Uganda came into effect in the year 2006 BC. Two years down the lane, nothing positive and concrete can be credited to the ministry which is trying to find its standing among giants namely the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), the Ministry of Works, Housing and Communications, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Uganda Broadcasting Council, among others which were the erstwhile performing role that the ideal Minstry of ICT should be known for. Castigating the ministry in such light is not the purpose of the post though.

Here is the issue: From 2006 and today is 2008, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MoICT) in Uganda hasn't a web presence to boast of. Well one may claim that the ministry is still being setup, that the bureaucracies in civil governments could be taking its toll on the full of pace ministry, and many lamenesses for excuses. But look, the said ministry asked for not so little money and only used less than 20% of what it requested for. And with about US$ 800, 000, 0000 unspent, one is also unable to find a mere website for the ministry. Lets quote an allafrica.com article posted to the web 22 April 2008 and authored by one Mary Karugaba: Uganda: ICT Ministry fails to utilise Sh. 5bn
The ministry has generally under-performed. It raises question on underutilisation of resources and under staffing in the sector. [ICT] Committee Chairman, [Parliament of Uganda] [Hon.] Edward Baliddawa.
The MPs also demanded to know why the ministry had not recruited workers given that the Cabinet had approved the staffing structure in 2007.
Grace Tubwita (NRM) and Baliddawa also demanded to know who would take responsibility for the unspent funds.
Hon. Edward Baliddawa is one of the ICT champions ever in the Uganda august house. The other being Johnson Nkuuhe. Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MoICT) notable key staff are Dr. Ham Mulira, the Minister; Mr. Alintuma Nsambu, the State Minister and Mr. Albert Mugumya, the Undersecretary. ICTs should go beyond the hype and cash. The ministry needs to put its act right, give a website and it is service deserving of the establishment. For all the woes, Salam Taki continues to enjoy due internet traffic if not but the Salam Taki article with key words ICT, Information and Communication Technology, Minstry, Minster, Uganda. The URL of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Uganda is http: www.ict.go.ug