Technology experts have hailed the significance of data exchange in enhancing socio- economic development.
This was during the Data Trusted Exchange stakeholder engagement in Kampala, held under the theme, “Driving Digital and Social Economic Transformation in Uganda”.
Speaking as chief-guest,the Minister for ICT and National Guidance,Chris Baryomunsi says,the significance of data exchange transcends technology and propells socio-economic development,through supporting greater innovation,productivity and unlocking new revenue streams.
The National Information and Technology Authority of Uganda (NITA-U) Executive Director Hatwib Mugasa says that data exchange being a digital public good helps to solve societal challenges while promoting inclusiveness and driving sustainable development.
He adds that trusted data exchange offers a system where data flows smoothly and safely and so building trust requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders.
Regional Director for Africa, The Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) Diana Sang notes that Uganda’s UgHub offers a model for the rest of the world in regard to Change management and other aspects that can translate from the technical to the citizen perspective.
She also says that they hope to learn on how to move from legacy systems into new approaches and how the government can work with the rest of the eco-system.
“In the Uganda case, it’s a private sector engagement, how different MDAs are onboarding on the data exchange platform and the really participatory approach that the government has taken to make sure that as MDAs are being on boarded, there is a change management principle applied at the back end to drive more awareness, acceptance and the commitment at the national level.”
Meanwhile, NITA-U is in advanced stages of connecting citizens to the government through the “e-citizen” portal that will enhance interaction.
According to Collins Babirukamu, the Director E-Government Services, the move comes after the platform enabled interaction between government to business entities and having so far on-boarded over 130 government ministries Departments and Agencies.
“Banks and Fintechs will now be doing Know Your Business-KYB using UgHub. Citizens can now have online automated land searches following the completion of tests and integration of payments.”
“We can for the first time see a one government approach where citizens will experience a one –stop e-citizens portal and application which will entail, applying for permits, passports, NEMA licenses, business licenses in one application,”he remarks.
Responding to this, Diana Sang, notes “We are waiting to see how on Uganda’s case will look like because it is fantastic to hear that a citizen portal will be coming up, building on the critical infrastructure that UgHub has created.
“That is now the other side of how government interacts with the citizens, what are the implications on the citizen side so that in the back-end we see the lessons and approaches on how government interacts and collaborates with each other and how it will impact and enable public services.”
