KAMPALA, UGANDA — Tuesday, December 3, 2024 — The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has launched an initiative to distribute free tablets to households in 23 districts across rural Uganda.
The project, funded by the Uganda Communications Universal Service Access Fund (UCUSAF), formerly known as the Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF), aims to promote digital inclusion and increase access to information and communications technology (ICT) services in underserved areas.
According to a bid notice published by the UCC, the commission is seeking a service provider to supply and distribute 500 tablets to households in the targeted districts. The bid notice invites eligible bidders to submit their proposals for the provision of digital literacy training and tablet distribution services.
The UCC’s initiative is part of its broader efforts to promote digital inclusion and increase access to ICT services in Uganda. The commission has been working to improve the country’s digital infrastructure, including the expansion of mobile broadband services and the development of digital literacy programs.
The project is expected to benefit households in rural areas, where access to ICT services is limited. The UCC believes that the distribution of free tablets will enable households to access a wide range of digital services, including education, healthcare, and financial services.
“We are committed to promoting digital inclusion and increasing access to ICT services in Uganda,” said Eng. Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of the UCC. “This project is part of our efforts to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Ugandans have access to the benefits of ICT.”
The bid notice requires bidders to provide a detailed proposal outlining their experience and qualifications, as well as their approach to delivering the digital literacy training and tablet distribution services. The UCC will evaluate the bids based on their technical and financial merits, and will award the contract to the best-evaluated bidder.
The project is expected to be implemented over the next few months, with the tablet distribution program set to commence in early 2025. The UCC has set aside funds for the program, which will be used to cover the costs of tablet procurement, digital literacy training, and program administration.
The UCC’s initiative has been welcomed by stakeholders in the ICT sector, who believe that it will help to promote digital inclusion and increase access to ICT services in rural Uganda.
The UCC’s project is part of a broader effort to promote digital inclusion and increase access to ICT services in Uganda. The government has set a target of achieving universal access to ICT services by 2025, and the UCC’s project is seen as a key step towards achieving this goal.
