The Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) has signed a memorandum of understanding with global technology firm, Microsoft for supporting innovations in Uganda.
The MOU was signed at ICT Ministry office on morning. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT Vincent Bagiire signed on behalf of the government while Microsoft General Manager for East Africa Sebuh Haileleul signed for the company.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by ICT Minister, Frank Tumwebaze.
Bagiire said government is collaborating with Microsoft in building the next generation applications, building technical expertise, spurring innovations through Microsoft App factory programme and supporting commercialisation of innovative products by Ugandans through development of online intellectual property registration prototype for Uganda.
Patenting intellectual products of Ugandans, Bagiire said is a critical step towards commercialisation. He said Apps can’t be marketed before they are patented.
Bagiire said Microsoft will not be supporting innovators with financial grants. He argued that what is important in innovation is understanding innovation architecture and accessing infrastructure of global technology firms such as Microsoft.
Haileleul said the collaboration will help the youth through knowledge transfer and skills development. He said Microsoft is excited to partner with government in assisting young innovators who have ideas but lack infrastructure to develop them.
Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology appealed to Ugandan innovators to identify opportunities in government systems that can be digitized.
Tumwebaze said Microsoft should help in marketing innovations by Ugandan students across the world. “If they are used here, we want to see them in East Africa, we want to see them in Europe, we want to see them in Asia,” he said.