The National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U), might be abolished or merged with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), in a move to merge government agencies and authorities whose roles seem to be duplicated.
Local media reports quoting government sources said that the plan follows recommendations from the government and a separate review team concerning government agencies, commission authorities, and public expenditure to ensure there is no duplication with existing ministries.
This would give the UCC responsibility for major projects such as the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) scheme.
According to a report by Techjaja while the government recommended for NITA-U to be restructured into a department under the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance (MoICT), the independent review team for it to be completely abolished and merged with UCC which will be retained as an autonomous body as it regulates some of the biggest taxpayers in the country.
Alternatively, the NBI could be transferred to be managed by Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) under the supervision of MoICT. But at the end of the day, this is still on paper and may not be implemented any time soon.
Meanwhile, the Ugandan government said that it has introduced a 12% tax on internet data, potentially hiking prices for online access in the East African country where consumers are already paying some of the world's highest internet costs.
