Uganda Telecom signed a deal worth 4.5 million pounds (Ushs 15.4Bn) with the UK department for International Development (DFID) on 2nd March 2007. uganda telecom will develop Uganda Revenue Authoritiy’s Communications Infrastructure project dubbed URAnet over the next five years.

DFID has released the initial 1.3 million pounds required for the set up phase of the project that should be completed under 6 months.

uganda telecom will be the sole and total communications provider to URA for the next 5 years.

The deal between uganda telecom, DFID and Uganda Revenue Authority will see the telecom innovator extending a more robust communication infrastructure to over 60 URA offices across the country and that will help speed up operations as well as automate the process.

uganda telecom will set up a fast, secure and reliable voice and data communications platform, over which users can carry out URA business transactions, create, collaborate and share information with simplified access requirements for both internal URA staff and external customers.

URAnet is geared to improve tax collection and administration for the government of Uganda and target to collect over Ushs 300Bn per month.

Major Features of URAnet

• Uniform transaction processes and shorter transaction times for operational departments in all the 53 stations connected to the URANet due to centralized processing enabled by the network
• Uninterrupted work operations  at the stations on the URANet during URA official working hours at all 53 stations
• Lower expenditure on: physical mail delivery cost, upcountry travel by all staff, printing and paper
• Lower official mail delivery times

Scope of URAnet

• The following is the scope of work to be undertaken during this project.
• Procure and Install communications equipment in 53 URA stations providing service as per the Service Level Agreement that we will negotiate with the new service provider by Dec. 2006
• Procure and Install Local Area Networks in all the 53 stations which are in conformity with the URA ICT policy on LAN infrastructure
• Provide and install high availability backup electric power for all stations on the network using generator or solar power
• Sensitize users on the services available on the network and train them in basic computing and how to use these services to improve their productivity
• Assess the computer needs of users on the network and provide for those who do not have.
• Redesign URA client (DTIs, banks, etc) connection to URANet 
• Sensitize URA clients on the new network requirements and options for their connection to URANet.