Microsoft Press (Nov 3, 2005 )
Uganda software industry grows through Microsoft user group
Kampala, Uganda – 3 November 2005 – The future of the software development market in Uganda looks bright following the launch of the Uganda Dot NET user group in Kampala recently.
The group, supported by the East African arm of Microsoft but run as a separate and independent entity, brings together professional software developers, students and hobbyists to share knowledge on the Microsoft .NET software development platform.Over 65 people – including key speakers from www.africadotnet.org – gathered at Makerere University for the inaugural session.
“The software industry in Uganda has been longing for a forum where developers could associate and share knowledge through interaction,” says Wilson Kutegeka, the leader of the Uganda Dot NET user group. “We hope this will lead to the ability to positively impact the local economy by exporting the skills of the people developed through the user groups.”
“These groups are an excellent, inexpensive way for people to receive technical content, education and to meet with their peers to get more out of our products, technologies and resources,” explains Lee Mungai, the developer evangelist for West, East and Central Africa at Microsoft.
“They also help correct the perception that people cannot follow careers in software development in Uganda – or, indeed, Africa as a whole. By supporting our user groups with software, books and other resources, we hope to help raise skills levels and provide people with a viable opportunity to find work in the local software development arena.”
The news comes ahead of the launch of a series of software solutions that developers can use to create software applications for business. The launch of SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio and BizTalk Server in Uganda is slated for early November.
Having development skills here in Uganda is also of significant benefit to the country’s private and public sector. Tapping into local skills not only demonstrates confidence in the local market. It is also far more cost-effective than flying in experts from South Africa, Europe or further afield.
“It’s common knowledge that the software industry is big business worldwide. Companies develop applications, resell them commercially and generate solid revenues. This is not happening a great deal in Africa,” says Mungai.
“However, through the user groups, local software vendors can get connected to Microsoft and receive support in terms of assisting with development and then marketing the final products around the region. Our role here is to simply support the creation of a local, regional and continent-wide software industry.”
The launch in Uganda is an extension of a programme kicked off in March last year when the first African user group was formed in Kenya. Initially, it had a membership of around 20 people. One year later, more than 500 people had joined.
Testament to its success was the recent Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award presented to Edgar Okioga, a software developer, database & analyst working for the UNDP in Kenya. The MVP programme celebrates those community members who provide invaluable expertise that enriches the experience had by the people in these Microsoft technical communities.
Okioga was recognised for his proficiency in the Microsoft programming language – known as “Visual Basic” – as well as his passion, inspiration and willingness to help other African software develop¬ers. He is now one of only two developers in West, East & Central Africa to be recognised as an MVP.
“Overall, we are very keen to support the formation of this user group in Uganda. While we play a hands-off role, it provides us with an opportunity to connect with the people that really understand our products and are working with them at deep levels,” said Mungai.
“This gives us the feedback we need to make those products more efficient. This, in turn, can only deliver more value to existing and potential customer organizations in Kampala and beyond.”
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For more information:
Lee Mungai, Developer Evangelist
Microsoft West, East and Central Africa
Tel.+254 202 868 206
Cel. +254 722 200 523
Email: lmungai@microsoft.com
Henry Ochieng
Bertolli & Associates
Tel.+254 20 675 0317
Cel. +254 735 491 732
Email: henry@bertolli-associates.com
Adrian Wainwright, account director
Text 100 Public Relations (Johannesburg)
Tel. +27 11 803 2800
Cell. +27 82 652 7525
Email: adrian.wainwright@text100.co.za
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/africa/press/ugandasoftware.mspx