3rd August 2009 

Some are excited and others apprehensive about the extra bandwidth that is about to be unleashed in East Africa. At the end of July, SEACOM went live in 5 African countries including Uganda, although no one outside of the launch attendees have experienced the changes, many are hopeful that they will bring more good than bad.

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a) The Government has banned importation of 'old' computers. What is your view?

b) What is your advice to government on the decision to ban importation of 'old' computers?

c) How does the ban on importation of old computers affect you/your company/institution? What is your advice?

d) How does the ban on importation of used computers affect the social, economic and technological development of Uganda?

We are looking forward to your contribution to the above questions.

To make a contribution click the title  and add a comment.

In the reading of the 2009 /2010 financial budget for Uganda, the minister for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development announced that Uganda would effect a ban on second hand computer due to envronmental reasons. This has sparked off a debate on the I-network mailing list about the usefulness and need for second hand computers in Uganda.

Discussants have outlined some of the benefits of the second hand computers including their relatively cheaper prices and potential to reach a wider base. Also mentioned is that a lot of users do not need to be at bleeding edge of technology hence no need for high spec computers.

On the other hand, opposers of second hand computers have cited how unrelaible and high maintenance these computers tend to be.

Output of the topical debate on the use of refurbished computers in Uganda held by I-network last year can be found here

If you have experience with using seond hand computers,please share it with us.

We especially welcome the views views of all those advocating for the use of new computers in Uganda.

All these opinions shall be carried in the position paper on the ban on old computers to be presented to Uganda policy makers.

Is this the opportunity the ICT sector has been looking for? A number of things seem to be lining up that could help push the use of technology further in Uganda. the first one is the global economic crisis, which has slowed trade, business and transactions everywhere including Uganda. Employees have been laid off and companies restructured to ensure that compaines survive the downturn. We believe this is the time for the local ICT sector to showcase how the application and use of technology can help companies survive the downturn.

Secondly is the arrival of more bandwidth to the East Africna coast. The availability of more bandwith should provide cheaper connectivity, which hopefully will draw more people to consume internet services. This provides another opportunity for the ICT sector to provide internet based services and help other connect to the internet.