N7 Approval

The N7 Approval is a mandatory process instituted by the National Information Technology Authority - Uganda (NITA-U), the body responsible for coordinating and regulating Information Technology services across all government entities in Uganda. This approval mechanism ensures that all ICT procurements by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as well as Local Governments (LGs) are standardized, cost-effective, and in alignment with national ICT policies and strategies.

Purpose: 

• To rationalize and harmonize IT services across government entities, reducing duplication and optimizing resource use.
• To ensure that all ICT procurements meet the national standards for hardware, software, and services, thereby fostering interoperability and security.
• To control and monitor the financial implications of ICT acquisitions, ensuring that procurements are cost-effective and aligned with the government's budget execution circulars.

Process: 

1. Form Submission: 
   • Download the Form: The N7 form is available for download from the NITA-U website. 
   • Documentation: MDAs and LGs must attach all necessary documentation, including project details, technical specifications, and justification for the procurement.
   • Approval from Accounting Officer: Before submission, approval from the respective Accounting Officer is required.
2. Submission:
   • Hard Copy: Can be delivered directly to the NITA-U Executive Director.
   • Soft Copy: Should be emailed to approvals@nita.go.ug.
3. Review and Feedback:
   • NITA-U reviews the submitted N7 form within seven working days from receipt. 
   • The process includes verification of details, assessing the alignment with national IT standards, and ensuring no redundancy with existing shared services or infrastructure.
4. Outcome:  
   • Approval: If the procurement aligns with NITA-U's regulations, approval is granted, often with recommendations for shared services or existing infrastructure utilization.
   • Rejection: If not, feedback is provided on how to align the procurement with national ICT strategies, or alternative solutions might be suggested.

Key Points:

• Mandatory for ICT Goods and Services: This includes hardware, software, consultancy services, and managed IT services. Items like consumables (e.g., printer cartridges) are exceptions.
• Shared Services: NITA-U encourages the use of existing shared services like the National Data Transmission Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) for internet bandwidth and other services to lower costs and avoid duplication.
• Transparency and Accountability: The process aims to ensure transparency in government ICT spending, supporting the government’s broader strategy for digital transformation.

The N7 Approval process and its implications are detailed on NITA-U's official resources, providing guidance and ensuring adherence to the ICT procurement policy of Uganda.