Museveni rallies Africans to start manufacturing own computers
In a speech delivered by Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja at the opening of the Middle East and Africa Digital Transformation summit in Kampala, President Museveni said the trend of importing computers should stop. Photo / Courtesy
What you need to know:
- President Museveni says that the only way African innovators can keep pace with emerging global digital trends is to start manufacturing ICT equipment locally
President Museveni has asked African innovators to start manufacturing ICT equipment locally.
This, he says, is the only way they will keep pace with emerging global digital trends.
In a speech delivered by Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja at the opening of the Middle East and Africa Digital Transformation summit in Kampala on Wednesday, President Museveni said the trend of importing new and used computers from Europe should stop to allow Africans to concentrate on local manufacturing.
“This summit must not end in nice PowerPoint presentations. I challenge you, the scientists, the private sector, the innovators, to go deep. Let us discuss inclusive financial systems, artificial intelligence, data sovereignty, blockchain, cybersecurity, smart agriculture, e-health, e-government, and affordable connectivity for the masses. And yes, let us also talk about manufacturing ICT equipment right here in Africa instead of importing used computers from Europe,” he said.
In Uganda, the President noted, government’s policy direction would remain strongly in support of further deepening and expanding the use of digital technologies, under regional and global frameworks.
We are specifically interested in partnerships for manufacturing ICT devices, affordable clean energy kits, developing ICT parks, software development, expanding infrastructure for internet connectivity, and building data centers,” he noted that Uganda was ripe for investment, supported by government’s offers of generous incentives for viable partnerships.
The summit, organised by HiPipo, Comesa Business Council, and the Ministry of ICT, seeks to accelerate inclusive digital transformation across the region.
Participants from across Africa and the Middle East deliberated on a wide range of topics, including inclusive financial systems, artificial intelligence, data sovereignty, blockchain, cybersecurity, smart agriculture, e-health, e-government and affordable connectivity for the masses.
ICT Minister Chris Baryomunsi applauded ICT State Minister Joyce Nabosa Ssebugwawo for being the brain behind the summit, noting that “the future is digital and the future is now.
“So, we are happy that we are hosting delegates from the Middle East here in Africa. The Global North and Global South have a digital divide, and it is the role of all players in the Global South to collaboratively work towards bridging that gap,” he noted.
Mr Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo chief executive officer, said there is an urgent need to fast-track collaborative ways of leveraging digital tools to foster inclusion.
