1
Integrated Data & Telecom Solutions
www.datafundi.com
COMPANY PROFILE
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CONTENT
Company overview
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Vision & Mission
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Products & Services
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Information Systems Service portfolio
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Telecommunications Service Portfolio
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Projects executed under our Engineers’ Supervision
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Key Personnel
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Integrated Data & Telecom Solutions
www.datafundi.com
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Data Fundi is an IT and Telecom Consulting
and Systems Integration Company incorporated
in Uganda in 2002 as a private Limited Liability
Company.
Data Fundi has an aggregate experience base
of over 30 years consisting of formal academic
(Registered Engineers) and hands-on technical
expertise that allows the company to undertake
the most involving IT and Telecom activities.
Our key personnel come with a rich experience in
designing, installing and managing a wide range
of data and telecommunications systems.
Our adeptness in these fields has seen us
man-aging some of Uganda’s most exigent telecomm
and Data systems projects. We have provided
turnkey solutions for nation-wide broadcasters,
Internet Service Providers, GSM companies
and business entities requiring nation-wide
con-nectivity.
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CORPORATE OBJECTIVES
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Ensure that Data Fundi’s shareholder value is maximized
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Build an excellent brand image for the company underpinned by a customer-centric culture
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Develop competences and provide services in key segments of the ICT sector such as regulatory
practices, Knowledge management, Enterprise solutions, Telecommunications infrastructure roll
out support, Systems Integration supported by a vibrant R&D function.
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Continuously identify and harness business opportunities presented by regional and global ICT
initiatives such as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), NEPAD, etc.
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Build and maintain good governance structures that assure attainment of company’s goals
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Establish a committed and well motivated workforce
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Build a strong reputation as a good corporate citizen
VISION
Build Data Fundi into a professionally managed, profitable, self-sustaining and socially responsible
enterprise providing leading, globally recognized ICT solutions.
MISSION
Become a provider of choice for ICT products and services in the East African region through:
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Harnessing business opportunities presented by the global ICT environment
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Developing strong R&D competences
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Providing cutting edge products and services
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Building beneficial strategic alliances
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Integrated Data & Telecom Solutions
www.datafundi.com
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Data Fundi is a value added technical services company with exceptional skills in:
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ICT Consultancy
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Regulatory Consultancy and Support
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ICT Systems Integration
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Infrastructure Rollout
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Development of ICT Solutions
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ICT Technical support
Data Fundi provides a broad range of high value services in each of the afore-mentioned areas with proven ability
to manage people, capital and technology at levels of productivity that meet the most stringent demands of the fast
growing information economy.
At Data Fundi we realize that the selection of an IT or communications system is often a complicated and
chal-lenging task for most organizations. At the inception of its preferred system, every organization grapples with
issues such as risk management, compatibility, usability, sustainability and scalability. Data Fundi’s services
come in handy at this level. We work rigorously in concert with the client commencing with requirements
gathering, thorough requirements analysis, systems design and project implementation. We deliver highly
custom-ized systems and continue working with the client during the post-commissioning period hence providing technical
support services which include scaling systems to meet the client’s ever growing demands.
Data Fundi knows that success in projects can only be achieved by demanding the utmost quality in supplies and
professional skills. We do this in order to realize complete customer satisfaction and ensure that the customer is
always the first beneficiary of every endeavor.
Our operations are split into two major divisions namely: Information Systems services and Telecommunications
ser-vices.
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THE
INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
SERVICE
PORTFOLIO
In this Division, our main business
is provision of consultancy
ser-vices in needs assessment and
design of customized
Informa-tion systems that meet the client’s
specific requirements. Data Fundi
also provides supervision of
instal-lation and commissioning works for
Local Area Network (LAN) and
Wide Area Network (WAN)
solu-tions.
With back-stopping support from
our telecommunications division,
our IT specialists are able to
handle just about any
commu-nications challenge that comes
with the job. From time to time,
various clients make the
re-quest for Data Fundi to deploy its
vast resources to the physical
implementation of customized
LAN and WAN solutions. We
have a wealth of experience in
the implementation of optical fiber
connectivity, wireless and cable
networks.
Client: Ministry of Information and Communication Technology Project: CHOGM Web portal, 2007
The project funded by the Govern-ment of Uganda through the Minis-try of Information and Communication Technology entailed the development of the web portal for the Common-wealth Heads of Government Meet-ing (CHOGM) that was held in Uganda in November 2007. The CHOGM
was a high profile international gov
-ernmental event that was attended by over 53 Heads of State from the Com-monwealth countries. The web portal has highly interactive web enabled services. (www.chogm2007.ug)
Project: Online Agricultural Research Network System
Financier: FAO, 2006
In February 2006, the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) in conjunc-tion with FAO decided to create an online Agricultural Research Network System that would enable both researchers and agricul-tural extension workers to share vital
infor-mation on key findings in the agricultural
sector.
Our Engineers managed the program-ming / script writing, system architecture, designing the graphical presentation of the Web Site as well as the Web Content Management.
Client: Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development Project: The African Development
Bank annual meetings, 2004
Data Fundi was contracted by the Govern-ment of Uganda through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Develop-ment to develop a system design that provided private voice, data, video con-ferencing and internet services at the 39th annual meeting of the ADB and the 30th annual meeting of the African Development Fund (ADF) that were held in Kampala in November, 2004. The meeting brought to-gether 77 nations from Africa, North and South America, Europe and Asia. Uganda was selected as the venue of the conference after a joint team from ADB group and ECA visited and assessed vari-ous African countries’ conference facili-ties including the ability to meet the confer-ence IT and Communication needs. Our engineers oversaw the installation and commissioning of a 200 workstation LAN, a 350 terminal private voice net-work complete with fax and external trunk capacity. Our Engineers supervised the installation of a versatile IP-based video conferencing facility amd managed the equipment recovery process at the end of the conference.
Client: Uganda Revenue Authority. Project: Web Site, 1998
The Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda’s tax regulatory body recruited Data Fundi to develop a website to promote the organiza-tion’s image through information sharing. Data Fundi staff were charged with con-ceptualization of the project scope, quality assurance, dynamic web content as well as technical requirements management.
Client: Ministry of Local Government Project: The Uganda District Admin-
istrative Network Programme The District Administrative Network Pro-gramme or District Net aimed at address-ing major IT and communications chal-lenges faced by district local governments
in the areas of record keeping, financial
management, project management, and policy implementation was initiated by the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG) in March 2001. The project was designed to introduce data and voice communication links between districts and lower local gov-ernments and also to introduce electronic
data processing in financial management,
data communication, data storage and analysis.
In 2003, Data Fundi was contracted to sup-ply and install telephone systems in four districts and power systems in 15 sub-counties for the District Administrative Network project, following a system they had designed that assumed absence of mains power and limited GSM cover-age. Data Fundi supplied, installed and commissioned at each of the four district headquarters a modern state-of-the-art 32 extension, 8 trunk line digital private tele-phone network. We also installed at 15 sub-counties a modern solar power sys-tem, lighting, desktop computer and
Desk-Jet printer. Remote sites were configured
to dial-in and update database records at the resource center in Kampala.
In its pilot phase the project rolled out to 15 sub-counties located in the four regional districts of Kayunga, Lira, Mbale and Mba-rara. After a successful pilot project imple-mentation, the MoLG now plans to roll out the project to Uganda’s over 900 sub-counties in 56 districts.
Scope of work
In April 2003, Data Fundi designed and presented to the MoLG a system design to improve private voice and data communi-cations in the typical setting of a sub-coun-ty in rural Uganda. The design assumed absence of mains power and limited GSM coverage. Our engineers carried out power dimensioning for a solar system that would deliver stable AC power to one desktop computer, a printer and two lighting points for at least 6 hours daily. In July 2003, Data Fundi was awarded the Ministry of Local Government contract to implement the design. At these sub-counties Data Fundi also supplied and installed modern GSM handsets with data connectivity to the
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Integrated Data & Telecom Solutions
www.datafundi.com
THE TELECOM-
MUNICATIONS
SERVICES
PORTFOLIO
In the Telecommunications services
di-vision, Data Fundi’s key lines of business
are;
• consultancy services,
• systems design and integration,
• infrastructure rollout and
• technical support services.
We boast of a highly motivated team of
installers with a rich experience in
erec-tion of towers, installaerec-tion of antennas,
feeders, and lightning protection. Our
telecom engineers have trained widely in
Microwave Transmission systems,
Ra-dio Frequency Spectrum Management,
Satellite Communications, Switching,
Mobile Communications and
Uninter-ruptible Power systems.
Data Fundi has amassed a
compre-hensive inventory of tools and
instru-ments including Bit error rate testers,
Spectrum analyzers, VHF radio sets,
Megger Det5/3R Earth tester, Garmin
GPS handset, Rigger’s kits complete
with toolboxes and winches.
With this wealth of technical resources,
Data Fundi has the ability to take on
telecom projects of any magnitude.
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Client: Bolton International Ltd.Project: Installation of MTN WiFi network (2013/08 – 2013/11).
MTN Uganda contracted Bolton International Ltd. to install WiFi sites. Data Fundi (U) Ltd. was then subcontracted by Bolton International Ltd. to install & commission 24 Wi-Fi sites in Kampala, Gulu, Busia, Mukono, Masindi, Kisoro, Luweero, Malaba, Masaka, Ndejje, Rukungiri and Tororo.
Client: Maisha Networks, Uganda.
Project: Installation and commissioning of 183 VSAT Sites (2012/10 – 2013).
Installation and commissioning of 183 VSAT Sites for Maisha Networks under the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) schools Internet access project. Maisha Networks signed an agreement with the Uganda Communications Commission to provide Internet Connectivity Services to 183 schools around Uganda for 12 months. Maisha Networks is responsible for supply, installation and commissioning of VSAT equipment at each of the sites. Data Fundi’s engineers are carrying out project management, equipment delivery, site surveys, installation and commissioning of the project VSATs under Maisha Networks.
Client: Balton Uganda Ltd.
Project: Installation of MTN WiFi network Phase I (2012/09 – 2013/02).
Balton (U) Ltd was contracted by MTN Uganda to install a Wide area Wi-Fi network to provide internet access at over 60 MTN sites around Uganda including Kampala, Entebbe, Fort Portal, Mbarara, Hoima and Jinja. Data Fundi (U) Ltd was contracted by Balton to install the WAVION Wi-Fi equipment and carry out the coverage tests. Tasks included project man-agement, installation and commissioning.
Client: Government of Southern Sudan
Project: Infrastructure Roll out for GSM network (2007/02 – 2008/02).
Data Fundi was contracted by PCCW Global in February 2007 to build RF sites, VSAT sites and Commission the services support for its project in Southern Sudan. Data Fundi was to roll out infrastructure for the GSM network centred in Yei and spreading out to Juba, Wau, Torit, Yambio, Rumbek, Bor, Malakal, Aweil and other state capitals. Data Fundi’s com-ponent of the project comprised of Radios, Transmission sites and cellular backhaul via satellite. Our engineers also installed a VSAT base according to site plan and technical
specifications, installed VSAT indoor and outdoor systems
and commissioned the VSAT system and peripheral compres-sion equipment.
Client: Huawei Technologies
Project: Uganda Backbone Transmission and
E-Government Project, Phase I & II (2006-2012).
During the building of an E-Government network and an Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) backbone transmission network by the Government of Uganda, Data Fundi was contracted to transport and install HDPE ducts, supply and install steel pipes at road crossings, boring, bridge crossing and protection areas among others. Our team also supplied and installed concrete at R2 and R3. The team also conducted duct tests at the end of which test seals were placed at the end of the
duct.
The Data Fundi team was also charged with supply and installation of manholes including but not limited to site clean-ing, excavation, foundations and sealing of manholes; manhole drilling for ducts entrance and sealing, ODF, Splic-ing and Termination as per the design as well as link testSplic-ing in
accordance with the technical specifications.
The completed links were handed over to Huawei.
Client: Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Project: Policy Workshop for Ministry Of Telecommuni cations & Postal Services, 2006.
Data Fundi (U) Limited was engaged to provide re-sources persons with experience in telecommunications and postal policy and laws to facilitate a workshop in Juba for stakeholders that included Government, Operators and Funding agencies. The assignment comprised of reviewing the Communication policy of the GoSS as well as the Com-munications Act.
Client: Siemens Mobile A/S
Project: Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Project (NURP) End User: Uganda Telecom
The Uganda government through the Office of the Prime
Minister implemented the Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Programme (NURP) as a means to alleviate poverty in Northern Uganda. The programme spans major areas of development including Agriculture, Social services, local governance etc.
The telecommunications sub-sector was implemented in two phases namely NURP I under which a 500Km SDH high capacity microwave link was implemented. Under this phase, Data Fundi assisted the main contractors Siemens A/s in the implementation of the 500Km, 8-hop SDH high ca-pacity backbone link that saw the delivery of modern voice and data services in Northern Uganda.
NURP II comprised of the installation of a 650Km 9-hop SDH microwave link and an additional 17 low capacity PDH hops bringing mobile phone services to various towns and coun-ties in Northern Uganda. Data Fundi was again recruited to participate in the installation and commissioning of the project. In collaboration with the main contractors, Data Fundi assisted in the management of various technical teams that installed and commissioned systems at more than 30 loca-tions in Eastern and Northern Uganda. Data Fundi deployed at least 60 installers working in 12 semi autonomous teams
each under the supervision of a qualified Telecommunications
engineer who built capacity in their individual teams to install and commission systems at various sites in the shortest time possible and provide regular progress reports to the cus-tomer. After the completion of the project, Data Fundi was retained to provide technical support to operations.
Client: Internet Gabon
Project: The Gabon Treasury WAN
End User: National Treasury of The Republic of Gabon.
The Gabonese government through the National treasury con-ceived this project as a means to implement E-governance. The national treasury was tasked with providing a national backbone on which all other government organizations
with nationwide operations would ride to facilitate efficient de
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Integrated Data & Telecom Solutions
www.datafundi.com
Data Fundi was contacted to provide an experienced engi-neer to serve as Project Manager for the Wide Area Network project under the treasury of the Republic of Gabon. Our engineer installed and commissioned a 3.5m Intelsat-approved, telecommunications grade satellite antenna com-plete with C-band feed, LNA, 20W radio earth station equipment, routers, and voice and data systems at the
Libreville head office. This provided the uplink to three other
remote stations operating off 2.4m antenna systems
con-figured with specific in-routes to the central site in Libreville.
Our Engineer trained three skilled technicians on VSAT systems installation and they were able to complete remote sites’ installation. VSAT earth stations, routers and LAN equipment were installed and commissioned at three more
sites. The WAN was configured to efficiently deliver private
voice and data services.
The project was completed with interactive voice and data communication among 7 remote sites and one central site.
Client: Ministry of Health Project: The MOH/STIP Project.
The Government of Uganda under the Sexually Transmitted Infections Programme (STIP) of the Ministry of Health
(MoH) required the efficient delivery of vital information on
HIV/AIDS and other STI’s to citizens dwelling in remote towns and villages. The Government of Uganda through its line
ministry, the MoH, contracted a US-based firm Ashford
International to supply and Install FM Sound Transmitters and Sound / TV Satellite systems to achieve this goal. The project was designed to provide considerable coverage of rural Uganda providing a platform for doctors, patients and other stakeholders to freely interact with the rural popu-lation. The effort was targeted at combating the spread of HIV/ AIDS in the rural population that forms the core of Uganda’s productive force. Our engineer Edward Kasule Musisi was contracted by the Atlanta, USA based Ashford International to serve as Construction Manager on this World Bank funded project. The construction manager supervised the installation and commissioning of one 9.3m Intelsat-approved telecom-munications-grade satellite antenna with C-band feed, LNA,
HPA, sound and TV encoders, amplifiers and automatic
tracking at Kampala.
This provided the Uplink that would be received by up to 22 remote stations. The facility was also equipped with a downlink to be used for monitoring the transmissions and later for Programme contribution from upcountry. There were eight 4.5m VSAT antennas complete with C-band feed, LNA, DVB receivers for FM sound program and video distribution to ten 1000KW FM transmitters: Arua, Moyo, Kotido, Moroto, Kitgum, Hoima, Masaka, Lira, Soroti and Masindi. Six of the transmitter’s sites were new undeveloped sites so the scope included the design and construction of tower bases, pro-curement and erection of towers. The other sites were semi developed and the scope included refurbishment of the tow-ers and power systems and the installation of new transmitting equipment as well as VSAT antennas for reception of sound and TV programs.
Client: Uganda Communications Commission/ Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF) Project: The UCC RCDF Project (2003, 2004)
End User: Beneficiaries of the RCDF http://www.ucc.
co.ug/rcdf/about.html
Following competitive bidding by individual consultants, our Engineer Mr. Edward Musisi was twice selected to serve as Technical Auditor of these World Bank funded Projects implemented by the Uganda Communications Commission. Projects qualifying for UCC subsidies are typically located in disadvantaged districts like Arua, Kasese, Mbale, Mba-rara, Nakasongola, Masindi, Hoima, Luwero, Gulu, Pallisa, Busia, etc and comprise of Internet Points of Presence, public payphones, Internet Cafes, vanguard ICT Training Institu-tions and IT Content Development.
Through the RCDF, the UCC provides subsidy financing to
qualifying private sector companies to set up telecom-munications and IT projects in disadvantaged rural areas. The projects are implemented under Subsidy Financing Agreements between the UCC and the respective subsidy
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• Relocation, Installation and Commissioning of 7.2m Earthstation for MTN at Mutundwe, Uganda (2013).
• Installation and commissioning of 2.4m Earth station at
Mpoma, Kampala Uganda for UTL (2013).
• Installation and commissioning of 3.0m Antenna System for
Xinhua News Agency, Kampala Uganda (2013).
• Installation and commissioning of Private voice and data
network for Unophone (U) Ltd. at new premises on Kanjyoka Street. 15 data points, 12 voice points complete with central-ized UPS power with 15 outlets.
• Installation of 3 remote VSAT stations for MTN Uganda
(2002)
• Installation of 3.7m VSAT antenna system for MTN
(2001)
• Installation and commissioning of a wireless MAN for ISP
Dehezi international (2001)
• Installation and commissioning of 3.8m antenna system
for USAN-Lebanon ISP (2001)
• Commissioning of 4.5m Andrews antenna SCPC link for
SpaceNet (U) Ltd ISP. Recommissioning of ISP equipment executed in August 2001
• Installation and commissioning of 3-terminal VSAT WAN
for Bwana Mukubwa mines at Ndola Zambia for private data and Internet services (2002)
• Installation and commissioning of 3.8m Patriot antenna
with IPsec DVB System for Uganda Telecom Ltd at Tele-phone House Kampala (2002)
• Commissioning of ISP servers, routers and VoIP wireless
access equipment. System used by kivu-online.com ISP for internet services and VoIP applications wireless access equipment (2002)
• Installation and commissioning of Satellite Earth station for
Telecommunications services in Bujumbura (2000)
• Installation and commissioning of 3.8m Prodelin antenna
SCPC system for DATCO–Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Installation and Commissioning of Eleven sites, 2.4m
antenna Gillat VSAT systems for the SchoolNet Uganda project. Systems installed complete with 24hr autonomy power backup and 10 workstation Labs delivering 128Kbps data throughput to the Internet Backbone (2000)
• Installation and Commissioning of 2 VSAT terminals for
Barclays Bank (U) Ltd. 2.4m antenna with Hughes PES
sys-tems delivering 256Kbps private data to regional offices in
Harare ( 2000)
• Installation and Commissioning of 3.8m Prodelin an
-tenna, Gemini VSAT system for Citibank (U) Ltd. Private data
system implemented in May 2000
• Installation and commissioning of VSAT system for Tele
-nor-Norway in Luanda, Angola (1999)
• Installation and Commissioning of 7 VSAT terminals for the
Uganda Revenue Authority. 2.4m antenna with Hughes PES systems, 5W radio, uplinking to the GulfSat network delivering 256Kbps Private Voice and Data to Revenue Inland and Border ports nationwide. Setup Mail and Internet serv-ers, LANs at each site (1999)
• Installation of HF communication system for the Uganda
Government in various parts of Uganda (1993)
• Planning and supervision of the KBO microwave radio sys
-tem for Uganda Posts and Telecom Corporation (1990-1991)
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Integrated Data & Telecom Solutions
www.datafundi.com
KEY PERSONNEL
Edward is the pioneer Managing Director of Data Fundi (U) Ltd. Under his able stew-ardship Data Fundi was able to achieve an annual turn over growth rate of more 45% for three years running. Edward is one of the most experienced and highly respected engineering professionals in Uganda. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Electrical En-gineering degree in 1980 and has undertaken professional development training courses at international training institutions of high repute.
In addition to being a top notch hands-on RF engineer, Edward has a long and rich expe-rience in project management and consultancy. He has managed several large and highly complex telecommunications infrastructure projects and undertaken several international consultancy assignments in both the East African region and in the South African Development Community (SADC) region, with two postings in Arusha and one
in Blantyre. In 1999, Edward was hired by a Danish Consulting firm to serve as Radio
Regulatory Advisor and then Resident Technical Advisor to the then nascent Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority under a DANIDA funded project. In 2001, Edward
was hired by a British Consulting firm to serve as Resident Technical Advisor to Ma
-lawi Communications Regulatory Authority under an extension of the above mentioned DANIDA project. During this period Edward was on a team of experts that assisted the authority in Institutional Development and Telecommunications regulations and licensing work.
Before branching out into private employment, Edward worked in positions of profes-sional and management responsibility in several large companies including two of the major Telecommunications Operator (“Telcos”) companies and was the Technical
Manager of the first commercial Internet Service Provider in Uganda. Edward has
also served as Technical Auditor of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF) for the period 2003 to 2006, a job that
en-tailed evaluating and monitoring countrywide investments in the fields of Internet points of
presence (PoPs), web content and public pay phones.
In additional to his full time role as the Managing Director, Edward still finds time to
do technical work and to engage in professional responsibility activities. For three years in a row, (2004-2006), Edward was the Vice President of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE). During his tenure he organized a highly successful National Technology Conference, 2005.
William Kato Bitarabeho comes with over 10 years experience as Project Manager for several ICT and telecom transmission projects. He has many times been outsourced by
companies in East Africa to do projects as far afield as Gabon and Zambia.
As Project Manager WKB has successfully launched services at several startups including 5 Internet Service Providers in the great lakes region which have now established them-selves as regional market leaders.
WKB has advised regional governments on the establishment of Rural Communications Policies, e-Government strategies and communications infrastructure. Furthermore, work-ing with global development partners like the African Development Bank, The World Bank and The European Union, WKB has supported governments in the Great Lakes region in the development and roll-out of rural communications initiatives and e-Government infra-structure including community wireless systems, Optical Fiber backbones, satellite and microwave transmission backhaul. A key objective of these projects has been the
transfor-mation of rural, often post-conflict areas into local business hubs by providing affordable
options for renewable energy and modern communications.
Edward Kasule Musisi Managing Director
William Kato Bitarabeho
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Data Fundi (Uganda) Limited. Plot 96B Old Kiira Road, Ntinda P. O. Box 7843 Kampala – UGANDA Tel: +256 41 4252888
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.datafundi.com
