By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: Ugandans engaging in Information Communication and Technology (ICT) have landed in things after government boosted the sector with a Shs6 billion grant.
Minister  for ICT  and National Guidance Frank K.Tumwebaze held the awarding ceremony on Wednesday at the ministry’s head office along Parliament Avenue in Kampala, where he handed over the cheque to 60 ICT groups in Uganda that excelled among the hundreds that participated in the manufacture of software applications.
Prime Minister Dr.Ruhakana Rugunda while officiating as chief guest at the function which was attended by several people who included ICT gurus in Uganda, media practitioners, telecom gurus among others thanked the organizers of the event (ICT ministry) and assured the participants that Gov’t was very ready to even pump in more money in the next budget to ensure steady growth of the locally made ICT products that are solution oriented to the sector. “I have been made to understand that last year we only awarded twelve,but this time we’re awarding sixty (60) groups,I have no doubt that is very committed to even do more in the next budget” he said.
In his speech, minister Tumwebaze appealed to Gov’t to pass alaw that compells all Gov’t ministries to consume local Apps in their procurement and bidding processes than promoting foreign softwares. “Just like Gov’t has embarked on ‘BUBU’ (Buy Uganda,Build Uganda) policy, on other products,the same should apply on ICT sector. This is the only way we can create more jobs for our young population. Because why should Gov’t ministries use foreign applications in various departments like Procurement etc when our local people here have created the same,even more simpler by the way?” Frank question.
The permanent secretary ICT Vincent Bagiire Waswa in his opening remarks thanked the PM Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda for accepting to be Chief guest  and a great advocate for increased uptake of  ICTs across government. He also assured the ICT Awards participants who didn’t go through this second lott not to loose hope because they would be considered in the third phase.
The youthful ICT innovators were funded under the National ICT Initiatives Support Programme (NIISP). This is the second time the Ministry is boosting   ICT innovations in Uganda  through government funding.
Last year the ministry extended funding  to 12  groups, although this time round the number has risen to 60 groups. Because of the increase in number of innovators, the Prime Minister promised while at the event that government will offer more funding in the next budget. He thus urged other Ugandans to embrace ICT and come up with unique innovations as a way of furthering government’s policy to digitize Uganda. The event was concluded with minister Tumwebaze and Dr. Rugunda cutting cake, which they shared with the winners.
Among the beneficiaries this year is Mr.David Mushabe who created the software that UNEB uses to send candidates results via sms and UMEME Yaka application that enables customers to pay for power through mobile money. He won Shs.200m.
Below is the list of Beneficiary Groups for 2019:
