Free open source software to boost youth innovations

National Information and Technology Authority of Uganda manager planning, Mr John Bosco Kintu-Kavuma, during the interview. PHOTO BY DOROTHY NAKAWEESI

What you need to know:

The Government of Uganda has decried the huge expenditure on licences spent on proprietary software and their negative impact towards the implementation of the Information Technology Services Rationalisation Strategy and subsequent roll out of e-government services. The ICT ministry was subsequently directed to analyse the situation and come up with informed recommendations for expediting use of free open source software as an alternative to proprietary software. In the interview below, National Information and Technology Authority of Uganda (NITA- U) manager planning Mr John Bosco Kintu-Kavuma, shares with Prosper Magazine’s Dorothy Nakaweesi on the journey so far.

What is Free and Open Source Software?
Free and Open Software (FOSS) is where people develop applications which are not for sale primarily but can be accessed for future development without much cost. If it’s not free then what is the alternative? For example for one to access applications such as Microsoft and Oracle, you have to pay an annual licence fee. Yet with FOSS one can access the source code without paying and this is like a template which allows you in future to develop the technology further and customise it to your use.

What are some of the benefits of FOSS?
This software boosts innovations. The biggest challenge young innovators have experienced are funds to develop their respective innovations. If they can be able to get this service free of charge then this can help them further their innovations. Secondly, since this software comes free it is available on the Internet and can be downloaded and upgraded.

Where else is this software being used?
For the past ten years, we have seen the proliferation of FOSS which is largely driven by the need. This software is readily available for use. For example, people who are using mobile phones have Android software which is more of free open source software unlike those who have phones such as iphones which are charged. These free and open source software are readily available globally but what we think has been missing is lack of awareness.

Why does Uganda want to adopt this software?
Uganda has already done some initiatives to go open but in the beginning we started with the commitment from government. All this started when President Museveni during his recent visit to the United States of America made a commitment to evaluate the proposal that Uganda like her neighbours, considers using the cheaper yet equally efficient open source software as an alternative to using proprietary software which is far too expensive.
As a result, the President directed the ministry of Foreign Affairs to follow up implementation of the commitment with the responsible ministry.

In the same vein, this was amplified by, the secretary general of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) who issued a communiqué on Open Source Guidelines in March 2015 at the eighth meeting of the ministers responsible for Transport, Communications, Information Technology and Energy held in Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti in October, 2014 adopted the guidelines on free and open source software. He realised that if Comesa member states roll out e-government needed to adopt FOSS.

Currently, when you look at the cost of appropriated software, for example, in Uganda over Shs22 billion is spent by both government and the private sector monthly just on licences of Oracle and Microsoft software. Licence is one part of e-government and since it’s a government policy to use ICT to enhance systems and effectiveness of services, this is a huge bill. We think when FOSS is adopted the country will save half of that expenditure.

We are also going to intervene in the licensing of the long-term framework contracts instead of approaching the providers as individual Ministries, Departments and Agencies, we go and negotiate a global contract, with this we have already done it with Microsoft which has reduced costs to government. We are also in advanced negotiations with Oracle. All these are complimentary negotiations to cut down on the cost of licence and promote e-government.

Is there a policy on FOSS? If yes, what does it entail?
In the policy we have done much of the background study why we need the free and open source software. We have looked at the benefits, which open and free source software are available, and who are the major early adaptors such as universities. But the policy formulation is a process and it is always championed by the ministry.
Currently, the background policy and strategy is with the ministry of ICT and are at a level where they are going to consult the stakeholders. After that the draft will be improved and then will go to the top management of the ministry, then to cabinet and our hope is that this process will be completed this financial year and implementation done next financial year.

Won’t this particular software handicap local innovation?
There is always a flipped side of everything to which I subscribe. But we feel this is the best way to go. There are people who think that if you come up with an innovation in the principles of economics if it’s going to be made readily available it will discourage people from taking initiative to innovate new applications. For instance, if you have come up with a good research, do you let it be shared by so many people free of charge or do you need to protect it as an intellectual property?

As NITA (U), we think this area is under research but we are in collaboration with stakeholders such as Makerere University, ICT hubs and the ICT Association of Uganda. That is an area for further research.

And if we are informed of negative effects, then together we can think about the mitigations.

Kindly comment about the forth-coming Free and Open Source summit.
There is a Free and Open Software conference currently taking place and Uganda is going to be the seventh country to host the event. We believe this conference will help us share a lot of experiences and innovations with other countries who have achieved greater miles.

In Uganda, we have done a few ICT innovations and we shall showcase them to the rest of world. We are expecting to build strategic partnerships as far as FOSS is concerned. We also think that the deliberations and outcomes will be part of the in-filling to our policy strategy.

This is an opportunity that will not only boost ICT but other sectors such as tourism; and to the private sector, they will network with other participants, while NITA (U) will be more visible.

FOSS in Uganda
John Bosco Kintu-Kavuma, NITA- U manager planning.
Benefits. Free and Open Software can help young innovators further their innovations.
Secondly, since this software comes free, it is available on the Internet and can be downloaded and upgraded.