What if govt owned the .ug domain?
Why did you register .ug and when did you do it?
We were the pioneers of the Internet in Uganda and the region. Having been a pioneer I was a crusader, promoting the use of the Internet and communication generally.
Creating the .ug name space was part of an effort to generate more Internet use in the country. The .ug name space was created in 1995.
What did the registration then entail and what were the requirements?
I was part of the global network of pioneers known to each other in an informal way through a network of IT experts.
We applied first to Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), filled in a form but we were required to demonstrate that we were competent and can access the Internet, which entailed having access to electronic mail everyday. They needed a permanent administrative and technical contact.
So you did not pay any money?
No, not at all. The Internet was created, based and managed by the Private Sector. It involved creativity, flexibility and most importantly a spirit of community service that is why it was created for community service.
Do you not own the domain name space .ug?
No I do not own it. I am just a trustee basically supposed to serve the interests of the local Internet community in Uganda.
The trustee is supposed to demonstrate that the domain space was available, stable, reliable and not restricted in use. I had an officially designated company Uganda Online now a subsidiary of CFI under which it was registered.
There are concerns of pricing and affordability, UCC saying that if they were the administrators of the domain space, we could grow our Internet users by far?
Our prices are affordable and we are doing a good job. We charge $30 per year for domain registration but encourage registrants to pay upfront for two years.
The renewals are $30, $55, $80, $100, $120 for the consecutive years. Registration for educational purposes under the ac.ug and sc.ug 2nd Level sub-domain categories is at a discounted rate of $12.5 per year or $25 for two years plus VAT.
We were the pioneers of the Internet in Uganda and the region. Having been a pioneer I was a crusader, promoting the use of the Internet and communication generally.
Creating the .ug name space was part of an effort to generate more Internet use in the country. The .ug name space was created in 1995.
What did the registration then entail and what were the requirements?
I was part of the global network of pioneers known to each other in an informal way through a network of IT experts.
We applied first to Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), filled in a form but we were required to demonstrate that we were competent and can access the Internet, which entailed having access to electronic mail everyday. They needed a permanent administrative and technical contact.
So you did not pay any money?
No, not at all. The Internet was created, based and managed by the Private Sector. It involved creativity, flexibility and most importantly a spirit of community service that is why it was created for community service.
Do you not own the domain name space .ug?
No I do not own it. I am just a trustee basically supposed to serve the interests of the local Internet community in Uganda.
The trustee is supposed to demonstrate that the domain space was available, stable, reliable and not restricted in use. I had an officially designated company Uganda Online now a subsidiary of CFI under which it was registered.
There are concerns of pricing and affordability, UCC saying that if they were the administrators of the domain space, we could grow our Internet users by far?
Our prices are affordable and we are doing a good job. We charge $30 per year for domain registration but encourage registrants to pay upfront for two years.
The renewals are $30, $55, $80, $100, $120 for the consecutive years. Registration for educational purposes under the ac.ug and sc.ug 2nd Level sub-domain categories is at a discounted rate of $12.5 per year or $25 for two years plus VAT.
| AFFORDABLE PRICES: Mr Musisi. Photo by Esther Nakazzi |
So, if UCC tells you to relinquish the .ug domain to them for administration would you accept?
Am doing a good job and I have 4,000 very happy stakeholders who have entrusted this name space to me a trustee. They must have a say to the person I pass it on to and why. When you register, you have a contract with us.
I cannot make the decision the real stakeholders are the 4,000 who have entrusted me with their data.
What if you were forced to do so under state interest and even offered some money like it has been done in some countries?
I would have to agree with the stakeholders to give them the database.
In any case of re-delegation and for any decision I would make, I would be mindful of the community (the 4,000 real stakeholders). Over the last 10 years, I have taken their data, stored it and managed it adequately.
If UCC wants to take over, they would be doing so in an area outside their mandate, theirs is a regulatory function. In fact governments are discouraged from Internet domain direct operational matters. However, they have a right to meddle into policy matters. Where the operation is not problematic at best they would create policy but not to overtake it.
What makes you better administrators compared to UCC?
Our company is a more entrepreneurial management; decisions are made instantly for the benefit of the customer.
The company is not heavily weighed down body, it is lean, operational, focused and we strive to resolve issues that are brought to our knowledge instantly.
We are very efficient. We have made space available. It takes less than three hours from the time you register to get your domain. It will soon get to 15 minutes to get it on the global Internet.
That is what we consider to be our global role. Even if paying is a requirement you do not pay until 30 days after when you have demonstrated that you can use it.
What is the performance of your trade in terms of new client getting more .ug accounts?
First of all our customers include global brands like google (www.google.co.ug), Microsoft, Toshiba, Fugistu and others.
Locally we have all the ministries, local press like www.monitor.co.ug and www.newvision.co.ug.
But the problem is that business has not taken on the Internet here in Uganda, you could also blame it on literacy levels.
Someone could have the money but cannot use the Internet. Business people should also know that they would have an advantage using the .ug address.
Am doing a good job and I have 4,000 very happy stakeholders who have entrusted this name space to me a trustee. They must have a say to the person I pass it on to and why. When you register, you have a contract with us.
I cannot make the decision the real stakeholders are the 4,000 who have entrusted me with their data.
What if you were forced to do so under state interest and even offered some money like it has been done in some countries?
I would have to agree with the stakeholders to give them the database.
In any case of re-delegation and for any decision I would make, I would be mindful of the community (the 4,000 real stakeholders). Over the last 10 years, I have taken their data, stored it and managed it adequately.
If UCC wants to take over, they would be doing so in an area outside their mandate, theirs is a regulatory function. In fact governments are discouraged from Internet domain direct operational matters. However, they have a right to meddle into policy matters. Where the operation is not problematic at best they would create policy but not to overtake it.
What makes you better administrators compared to UCC?
Our company is a more entrepreneurial management; decisions are made instantly for the benefit of the customer.
The company is not heavily weighed down body, it is lean, operational, focused and we strive to resolve issues that are brought to our knowledge instantly.
We are very efficient. We have made space available. It takes less than three hours from the time you register to get your domain. It will soon get to 15 minutes to get it on the global Internet.
That is what we consider to be our global role. Even if paying is a requirement you do not pay until 30 days after when you have demonstrated that you can use it.
What is the performance of your trade in terms of new client getting more .ug accounts?
First of all our customers include global brands like google (www.google.co.ug), Microsoft, Toshiba, Fugistu and others.
Locally we have all the ministries, local press like www.monitor.co.ug and www.newvision.co.ug.
But the problem is that business has not taken on the Internet here in Uganda, you could also blame it on literacy levels.
Someone could have the money but cannot use the Internet. Business people should also know that they would have an advantage using the .ug address.
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