Govt to use blockchain technology to improve service delivery

KAMPALA.

The Ministry of ICT has said government will leverage on any available technology such as blokchain to integrate information data base in order to bring about efficiency in public service delivery.
Speaking in Kampala on Wednesday, Mr Vicente Bagiire Waiswa, the ICT ministry permanent secretary, said the use of technology will position Uganda into the global market place that is now largely driven by technology.
“Government is going to use blockchain technology where it is appropriate to provide seamless services to the general public,” he said, adding it was time Uganda adopted technology for economic inclusion.
World over, according to Bagiire, the major feature of the knowledge-based economy is the impact that ICT has had on industrial structure and financial system, which has created rapid growth of services.
A blockchain is a digitised system that records cryptocurrency transactions.
Cryptocurrencies, which are a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange, have been growing across the global. However, there have been concerns, especially in regard to their regulation.
Mr Bagiire said the use of blockchain technologies will help to reduce the time people spend to access government services such as tax payment.
Mr Kwame Rugunda, the chairman of Blockhain Association, said the use of blockchain will add value and efficiency in service delivery such as payment systems and record management among other things.