Following concerns by the various election stakeholders that a scientific election in Uganda is not viable, Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon Judith Nabakooba has said that Uganda has enough infrastructures to support a scientific election.
Nabakooba said that the available radio stations, television and telephone networks across the country are good enough to transmit electoral information to every single household in all corners of the country.
“Uganda is one of the most connected countries in Africa. We currently have about 309 radio stations and 36 television stations. Currently, about 90% of the country’s population have access to radio and 70% have access to television,” Nabakooba said.
Besides, Nabakooba said Uganda has a unique blend of community radio stations that provide customised information services to villages and parishes throughout the country.
The Minister also said that currently, the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U) is implementing the National Backbone Infrastructure that has enabled the major parts of the country have the infrastructure to access internet.
Under the current circumstances of COVID-19, Nabakooba claimed that scientific campaigning is the safest and most effective option that is available.