Minister Baryomunsi
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NEWS- The Government of Uganda has upgraded its warnings to moneylenders who take national identification cards of borrowers as collateral to dire indictment and they now face three years in jail.

The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon Dr Chris Baryomunsi, told journalists that the Attorney General has advised that it is unlawful and illegal to demand national IDS as collateral and the law is not limited to moneylenders but anyone transacting in a business who does so will face the full force of the law.

Over the years, many moneylenders in the country have been taking national ID as collateral and the identification document is particularly crucial in a country where a passport is not acceptable in any transaction other than travels.

Most borrowers whose IDs are withheld by moneylenders cannot engage in routine activities such as buying Simcards or processing bank documents and by law, the national ID is a property of the government and this is clearly indicated on the document.

Meanwhile Minister Baryomunsi has revealed that Cabinet has approved the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bill, 2024 that was recently presented by the Ministry of Education and Sports which seeks to streamline the technical and vocational training and education sector.

Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Center Dr Chris Baryomunsi said this sector plays a pivotal role in the development process of the economy.

Dr Baryomunsi who is the Member of Parliament for Kinkizi East in Kanungu District also confirmed that Cabinet has approved the principals for the amendment of the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act.

He revealed that there is a law which is the copyright and neighboring rights acts which was enacted in 2006 and this act provides for scientific, artistic intellectual works and their neighboring rights which is vital for economic development.