The Minister of Information Communication Technology and National Guidance , Ms. Judith Nabakooba has described the late James Saaka as one of the smartest citizens in Information Technology.
James Saka was the founding Director of the National Information Technology Authority in 2010. He is one of over 100 Ugandans who have succumbed to the deadly Covid -19 pandemic . Saaka died at Mulago national referral hospital where he had been admitted suffering from coronavirus that is ravaging the world .
In her tribute to a fallen comrade , Nabakooba said that the late James Saaka led Uganda’s digital revolution that has enabled Ugandans to change the way they live their lives and do busines.
“His digital revolution saw the implementation of Uganda’s backbone infrastructure that has significantly reduced the cost of internet.
In 2013 shortly after he had started his work with NITA, the cost of internet was US dollars 1200. By the time he retired in 2020, the cost was at about 70 US dollars and continuing to fall, “ Nabakooba stated .
Saaka his credited for working hard to ensure that public institutions like government offices, hospitals, schools, and many others were connected to the internet. By the time of his death, Uganda was ranked as the most digital secure country in the world.
“On behalf of Government, I send sincere condolences to Saaka’s family and pray that God strengthens you in this difficult time,” the Minister stated in a special message pledging that the Ministry of ICT and NITA will upload Saaka’s legacy by taking forth his vision for a fully digitized country.
