Uganda, China enjoy robust relation in ICT sector

The relation between Uganda and China, especially in the information and communication sector, is robust, said Thembo Nyombi, Ugandan ICT State Minister, on Thursday.

Attending the meeting of Africa multi-stakeholder internet governance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nyobi told Xinhua that Uganda has very strong relation with China in the ICT sector which the State Minister said is growing rapidly in Uganda, significantly contributing to his country's economy.

He revealed that the ICT sector is contributing to the economy in terms of tax revenue by putting quite a number of people in the formal sector called "taxnet."

According to the State Minister, the sector is mainly private sector driven and the government is trying to put in place strategic investment plan in the coming 10 years just to fill gaps where the private sector has not been able to reach.

Nyombi said Uganda is enjoying cooperation with China in the ICT sector as the Chinese government provides financial and capacity building support to Uganda to the development of the sector while a number of companies are working in Uganda on the sector.

He also said Uganda pushes the existing relation with China in the sector further. "The relation between Uganda and China, especially in the ICT, is robust," said the State Minister. "We will push it further because the Chinese government is coming in even to assist in the capacity building in terms of training; quite a number of our young people have gone to China for training. A number of private Chinese companies are coming in the country in the areas of ICT," he added.