By Our Reporter
As part of Airtel Uganda’s initiative to scale up ICT in education and promote the reading culture of Ugandans, the telco has today announced the connection of National Library of Uganda to fast and reliable free 4G network.
This announcement makes the National Library of Uganda the second beneficiary after Uganda Community Libraries Association in Kawempe.
Commenting about the initiative, Airtel Uganda Legal and Regulatory Director Mr. Dennis Kakonge said the initiative will benefit the entire country by improving access to records and the overall user experience of Ugandans when they visit the benefiting libraries.
“4G connectivity will offer an improved experience in internet-based research and online book access in Uganda. We know that lack of easily accessible content affects the reading culture of Ugandans and we believe that a stable internet connection is a positive step towards fostering a reading culture and increasing knowledge,” he noted.
The Guest of Honor Kampala Central Mayor, Mr Charles Musoke Sserunjoji, thanked Airtel Uganda for this initiative which he said will empower Ugandans.
“What Airtel has done today is a major step towards enhancing enrollment in public libraries and thus promoting reading culture in Uganda. Reading aids comprehension. With access to fast internet, service delivery especially in education will be enhanced to the benefit of the community and the nation.” he stated.
The National Library of Uganda is responsible for preserving Uganda’s literal heritage in form of Uganda’s oldest Agreements, News Papers, Photography, Literal works, assigning ISBN (International Standard Book Number) to published authors, preserving the writings of published authors, training librarians across the country, translating reading material into local languages amongst other duties.
According to officials from the National Library of Uganda, lack of reliable internet has been a major hindrance to the digitization of records in the library. They are to embark on the process now that they are connected to fast and reliable network thanks to Airtel.