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In July, the government banned scratch cards and replaced them with the digital airtime which left many crying and suffering especially in rural areas.
Check also: Airtime Cards Should Be Erased Before July- UCC
Yesterday, the Members of Parliament pressurized the National Guidance and ICT minister, Tumwebaze Frank to give an explanation why the government never bothered to seek information from the public before scrapping off the scratch-cards.
Our people are facing challenges to access airtime especially in areas which aren’t covered with electricity, and you’re talking of electronic revolution. You’re causing pain to our people. You would have consulted us or our people before coming up with such decisions,’’Hon Kinyamatama Juliet, Rakai Woman MP asked minister.
The lawmakers accused the government who are only in favor of the communication companies and making money, but they couldn’t mind of the customers who buy the product.
However, according to Tumwebaze’s response, he accepted that scrapping off the scratch cards should be progressively slow to minimize inconveniences to people .
We accepted a slow removal of scratch cards with increased awareness and of which it is the main concern of the Members of Parliament. The major interest for telecom companies is to make sure many people buy airtime, but they cannot implement strategies that could make them lose. Digital airtime loading will certainly benefit everyone in the end,’’ said minister.
Check also;
- ScratchCards Deadline Expires Today
- UCC Lifts Ban On Sale And Replacement of Sim-cards
- Government Approves Reduction Of Mobile Money Transaction Tax
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![[dropcap]A[/dropcap] section of women in Bugongo parish and Nawangaiza parish in Nawandala Sub County, Iganga District have decried the near-impossible terms set for them to access GROW funds. They have now petitioned their woman member of parliament for Iganga Hon. Kauma Sauda Alibaawo to ask the government for revised terms and conditions. This is to enable them to benefit from the program. The disgruntled women accuse the implementers of the program of charging the money. They are also asking for their land titles and land agreements. They said that such properties are governed by their husbands. These, therefore want the government through their woman MP to intervene and revise the requirements for one to benefit. The women were on Wednesday at Namabwere primary school in Nawandala Sub County. They had gathered in their respective groups to receive over 300 chickens from Hon Alibaawo in her campaign to improve the livelihood of women in Iganga district. Each group was given 50 chicken as start-up capital in their journey to prosperity. Read what some leaders said; Ms Naigambi Lydia from Nawandala Trading Centre says, “They solicited money from us through opening bank accounts and depositing Shs80,000. They also asked for land titles and land agreements from us yet we don’t have such things. I was informed that I needed to have a business with a capital of Shs4m yet my capital was very small.” The chairperson Kisoboka Saving Group in Nawandala Ms. Nakagolo Faith said they were not able to join the program. This is given the many conditions attached. She also asked their woman MP to raise their concerns to the relevant offices. The MP condemned the mode of implementation of the program. She cited that it has turned to benefit the well-off class of women other than the intended group. She further asked the government to intervene saying the current strings attached to the programme are very tight to accommodate a common woman. GROW project is a Government of Uganda initiative that arose out of the need to respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs. This is especially those who want to grow their businesses, sustain their self-employment and create more jobs. Check Also; Iganga District NRM Leaders Urge Museveni To Fulfill Election Promises Of 2021 International Women's Day: Celebrating Progress Towards Equality](https://i0.wp.com/newslexpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Iganga-women-decry-tough-terms-to-access-GROW-funds-e1731738339732.jpg?resize=300%2C160&ssl=1)
