Information Flow Management and Networking at Ministry of Trade Tourism and Industry - Uganda

This project aims to improve the flow of information within the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and information (MTTI) as well as to and from its affiliates through building intranet for employees. To date, 140 staff members at the ministry and 96 from its affiliated institutions have been trained in computer and internet use and how to use the MTTI and the web site of the Ministry (www.mtti.go.ug) which was also installed under this project. The project was formally launched on 5 August 2005. The Ministry focuses on three very broad areas – tourism, trade, and industry. Thanks to the new intranet, Ministry staff and employees at other institutions with links to the Ministry can now access a wealth of information in a very user-friendly way on each subject.

Following a round table that led to a policy formulation project for the trade, tourism and industry sector, it was deemed necessary to take further steps towards an enabling environment to prepare the country to take advantage and negotiate with partners for opportunities for increased exports.

Read more about IICD’s Uganda Country Programme.

Since the first quarter of 2007, the project has been integrated in the operations of the Ministry.

To enable MTTI adopt the best practices and experiences as to the unparalleled opportunities that the effective use of ICTs can offer to improve the operations of MTTI and its affiliates.  In this way, beneficiaries would be offered better and more rapid services that put information at the disposal of the public and facilitate communication between them and those that provide them with services, the attraction of investment, the improvement of the business environment, and a rise in the level of competitiveness.

• Database: A centralized documents database has been developed. It is accessible on the local network of the Ministry as well as to the affiliated organizations of the Ministry 
• Website: A website for the ministry was developed
• Resource center/Project Office: The project enabled setting up of a resource center office at the ministry, and facilitated its furnishing. The resource center is used for capacity development activities
• Enhanced coherence between the sector organizations

Read more about IICD’s approach towards Livelihoods.

This Intranet project resulted into staff development and an nice Intranet. However: Far more important is the fact that the process to get the Interante up and running including all capacity development brought more coherence in the sector.

The project is implemented directly by the Ministry of Trade Tourism and Industry. As one of the largest Ministry in Uganda, MTTI has inherent challenges, including buraucracy and coordination difficulties.

MTTI has many affiliate organisations attached, including:

Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)
Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI)
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB)
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)
Management Training and Advisory Centre (MTAC)

Coordination amongst these is key towards progress of the entire sector.