By Spy Uganda
Bunyangabu: The National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) together with the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) have launched the pilot phase of the Electricity and Fibre to The Village (EFTTV) project in Buhesi sub-county in Bunyangabu District in western Uganda.
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EFTTV is a shared infrastructure concept that combines the rollout of electricity and ICT in all rural areas of Uganda.
NITA-Uganda noted that EFTTV leverages infrastructure sharing to exploit the cost synergies of simultaneously rolling out the grid and fibre while ensuring the productive use of electricity and broadband internet through the deployment of an ICT Ecosystem in the villages.
According to NITA-Uganda, the beneficiary sites of the pilot project are; Kiyombya Sub County Headquarters, Kiyombya Health Centre III, Buheesi Senior Secondary School, and Buheesi Town Council and these sites shall receive unlimited broadband connectivity from NITA-U, training on the selected e-applications and will take part in a monitoring and evaluation exercise to determine the impact of the intervention on their productivity.
The Uganda Communications Commission donated and installed 40 computers to the project whereas the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) ensured electricity supply.
Speaking at the Event, NITA-U Executive Director, Dr. Hatwib Mugasa applauded the partners for ensuring the project was delivered adding that the project will impact a lot in terms of ICT development in the areas.
“Let me thank our partners the Uganda Communication Commission through its Rural Communication Development Fund, the Rural Electrification Agency, Corning Optical Communications, and ADVA SE. Today we have demonstrated how government agencies are harmoniously working together to improve efficiency in providing services to Ugandans,” he said.
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Mugasa further reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards expanding internet connectivity to Ugandans. “The government of Uganda through NITA-U has so far laid more than 4000 kilometers of fibre across 49 districts and connected 609 sites to the network. We are currently implementing the last mile project which will connect more than 700 sites including government offices, hospitals schools and other installations, the project we are launching today presents yet another opportunity for the government of Uganda to further expand internet connectivity,” Mugasa added.
Gunter Landers, the in-charge of the Middle East and Africa ADVA SE noted that by simultaneously deploying the grid with aerial optical fibre a cost-saving of up-to 40% is achieved arising from sharing rights of way and civil works which account for the largest expenditure in deploying linear networks.
This project will also enable the implementation of an ICT eco-system which is supported and further optimized by ADVA´s NFV technology.
