Summary:
- Soliton Telmec Limited is demanding close to UGX67,440,939,519 billion from the government.
- The tech company has not been paid for the last three-quarters of the accrued amount.
Next week could be embarrassing for the government after a top tech company threatened to shut down the e-systems within Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Soliton Telmec Limited is part of Soliton Telmec Kenya. The former was hired by the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U) on behalf of the government and supervised by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
It manages the National Backbone Infrastructure (NBI).
NBI allows for the effective running of e-government services like unified messaging and collaboration systems, government web portals, connection to integrated financial management services and video conferencing for MDAs, among other critical services.
Among the top MDAs benefiting from NBI and could run down next week are Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Ministry of Internal Affairs (passport and immigration department), NIRA; Ministry of Finance, KCCA; URSB and Parliament of Uganda.
Others are the Uganda Driver Licensing System (UDLS), Inspectorate of Government (IGG), National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and local governments (LGs).
National broadcaster, UBC, state-owned universities and institutions will equally be affected, including hospitals.
Also read: Exclusive: Soliton Telmec threatens govt shut down Tuesday over substantial arrears
From 2019 until now, the government owes Soliton US$17.64m. For the last three quarters, the tech company have not been paid making the matter more worse.
In an interview with tndNews on Friday, the Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on ICT and NG, MP Tonny Ayoo said they are concerned.
The Kwania County MP, Ayoo, said should the planned shutdown take place, “Uganda could lose hundreds of billions in revenue if we don’t operate for a day.”
He urged the government to enter into a negotiation with Soliton and make some payments to help them pay their suppliers.
“We would wish to ask Soliton to give the government time – accept some amount because this is a budgeting time.”
Hamdi Ali Muhamed, CEO of Soliton Telmec Limited made it clear in his April 2, 2024, letter to NITA-U’s Dr Mugasa Hatwib that he needed an urgent meeting within 7 days.
The purpose of the meeting, Ali said, is “to address this issue to avert this impending mishap from happening”.
Minister of ICT and NG, Chris Baryomunsi is said to be coordinating negotiations between the government and Soliton to avert the potential mess.
The Minister has yet to respond to our requests for comment.
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.