Egypt, Uganda sign ICT agreement

Egyptian ministry of information and communication technology (MICT) and Ugandan counterpart has signed a framework agreement in ICT between Egypt and Uganda. The agreement comes within the framework of the implementation of the international cooperation section of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) strategy targeting African markets and enhancing cooperation with African governments to unify visions and interests. This agreement supports mutual collaborations and business ventures. It also encourages research and development in the fields of infrastructure, technology capacity building, heritage documentation and other various fields in ICT industry and related services. The five-year agreement, subject to renewal, also ascertains both countries aspiration to encourage mutual investments, and to cooperate in expanding and developing ICT markets. The two sides have agreed on transferring the Egyptian expertise and knowledge to the personnel of the Ugandan Merkerere University in order to train their students and graduates in various technologies in the field of outsourcing.

The two parties also agreed to exchange practices to develop a multi-lingual e-portal representing the Ugandan heritage in Arabic, English, French and any other universal language to be agreed upon. This will be part of the Uganda golden Jubilee scheduled in October. The Ugandan side also requested cooperation and coordination in implementing the information system for the Uganda Technology Park project. This project aims to create a suitable environment to encourage opportunities of creativity, innovation and business development in Uganda. The first phase of the project, which lasts for two months, includes the participation of delegations from Nile basin countries in training sessions at the National Telecommunication Institute and the Information Technology Institute. The project aims to provide training to around 3,000 specialists throughout the year.