Mr. Nicolas G. Caballero is a Data Analyst, ERP Software and DNS expert; he is an ICT Advisor at MITIC (Paraguay ICT Ministry) and is currently also the President of CEILAC DNS Center in Asuncion. He studied English at Pittsburgh State University in Kansas, USA; Computer Science at Universidad Autonoma de Asuncion in Paraguay; E-Government at Konkuk University in Seoul, Korea; and electric car technologies at Delft University of Technology, Netherlands. He was a direct ICT Advisor for the office of the President of the Republic, and as such coordinated the demonopolization of internet service in Paraguay; the establishment of the Digital TV Standard (ISDB-Tb); the creation of the ICT Ministry, SENATICS; and coordinated the team that drafted the first Paraguayan civil satellite program, which in turn led to the establishment of the Paraguayan space agency (AEP).

He was the founder of Internet Society Paraguay Chapter and served as its 1st President. He was also the 1st Paraguayan GAC Representative; in parallel he served as the Internet Governance Forum "RIR" (Regional Initiative Representative) in the country, where he organized the first IGF meeting in 2014. Nico Caballero was further responsible for the extensive capacity building work carried out by the ICT Ministry, in particular the MOU with ICANN in 2016/17 when he coordinated the establishment of the "CEILAC DNS Center", as a cooperation agreement between SENATICS, LACTLD and ICANN, which remained operative within the structure of MITIC.

Nico was also responsible for organizing key IT events in Paraguay: the ICANN "DNS Roadshow", ISOC Chapter events & Chapter projects aimed at developing connectivity in rural areas, providing digital training and IT infrastructure to high schools, and providing internet connection, Ecommerce tools and digital training for Native Indigenous people in remote areas. In 2017 he went to the private sector, and in 2022 resumed his role as Paraguay GAC Representative at ICANN-74 in The Hague, Netherlands. Right afterwards, at ICANN-76 in Kuala Lumpur, he was elected GAC Chair, the first time a Latin American representative holds the position. He is fluent in three Languages: Spanish, English and Portuguese; and also speaks French and Italian. He loves rugby, plays classical guitar, and is also a 4th Degree Black Belt in Taekwon-Do ITF.

Ian Sheldon is the Director of the Internet Governance team, in the Australian Government's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Ian is the Australian GAC representative at ICANN, and covers a breadth of Internet related issues across various fora, including ICANN, APNIC, IGF and the ITU. Ian has a depth of experience across both private and public sectors, and has worked on a range of public policy issues, including research, strategy and foresighting, telecommunications, and employment and workplace relations. Ian currently co-chairs the GAC Operating Principles Evolution working group and Commonwealth GAC group, and co-facilitates the APAC GAC group.

My title is Director, Internet Governance.

Zeina BOUHARB is the Head of International Cooperation at OGERO Telecom, Lebanon. She serves as the focal point with the ITU and leads OGERO's initiatives related to Girls in ICT, women's empowerment, and child online protection. She is also Vice-Chair of the ITU Advisory Board of the Network of Women, representing the Arab region.

Zeina acts as the focal point with ESCWA on Lebanon's National Digital Inclusion Policy. She is a member of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) of the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF), and the elected Chair of the Lebanese IGF MAG, where she coordinates and represents the national initiative within the global IGF NRIs network.

She is also a member of the National Committee for Child Online Safety under the Higher Council for Childhood and serves as Scientific Communication Coordinator for Lebanon's High-Performance Computing (HPC) initiative.

Zeina's journey with ICANN began in 2022 as a Fellow. She later became Lebanon's GAC Alternate Representative and currently serves as GAC Vice-Chair.

I started working for a Dutch Internet Service Provider at the turn of the century. Working as an engineer in a small team, we made use of the recently liberalized telecoms market to build and deploy an ADSL based broadband network, one of the first to do so in our country. That work also brought me in touch with the fledgling internet governance community, where I participated in RIPE meetings. A few years and mergers later, I worked on the introduction of IPv6, launching it as a option on our regular broadband product line around 2008. In support of the deployment of IPv6, I also became co-chair of the RIPE IPv6 Working Group, a position I held from February 2010 to November 2014.

In 2011 I joined RIPE NCC, the Regional Internet Registry( RIR) for Europe, the Middle East and parts of Central Area. There I worked on capacity building on a number of topics for a broad range of stakeholders throughout the service region. As part of the public affairs team I worked with governments and law enforcement agencies, helping them to adopt to the rapid technological changes, while also helping them to engage with the RIPE community and ensuring public policy concerns were taking into consideration when developing IP address registration policies. RIPE NCC also is a sector member of ITU, which brought me to a number of ITU conferences and study group meetings, working on a number of internet related topics.

My work for RIPE NCC also brought me in close contact with ICANN and the various constituencies, including the Government Advisory Committee. I participated in IGF since 2011, where I helped to compile and publish two Best Practice documents on IPv6 in 2015 and 2016. Working for an RIR I was also closely involved with the IANA transition process that took place between 2013 and 2016, the process which shaped ICANN in what it is today. I also had the opportunity to observe the first round of new gTLDs being requested, processed and introduced into the DNS system.

I joined the ministry of Economic Affairs in April 2022, where I became part of the small team responsible for Internet Governance and standardization of telecommunication and internet. It is in that capacity that I was appointed GAC representative for the Netherlands. I also serve as the ITU Focal Point and Head-of-Delegation to the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and the ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA).

Mr. Jorge Cancio is Co-Director of International Relations at the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM), Switzerland. As such he has leadership, strategic, managerial and coordination duties over OFCOM's International Relations team, and represents Switzerland in a number of international fora, and processes related to Internet Governance, digital policy and cooperation, data governance and artificial intelligence.

In this regard, Mr. Cancio notably participates in UN, WSIS and GDC follow-up processes, the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), UN IGF, Council of Europe, European Union fora, the Geneva Internet Platform, the Swiss IGF, or the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

Within ICANN and GAC he has actively participated in a number of processes, such as the ICANN Accountability discussions connected to the ICANN Transition to a multistakeholder oversight model; the process towards a new round of new gTLDs, where he served as topic lead in the GAC between 2019 and 2023; as well as Point of Contact between the GAC and the GNSO between 2021 and 2024.

Prior joining OFCOM in 2015, Mr. Cancio held different senior policy advisor positions within the Spanish Administration, in the fields of Copyright, Internet Law and Policy, including Internet intermediary liability, Open Data, Internet Governance, and Telecommunications. He holds a law degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid as well as an LL.M. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School, New York. Mr. Cancio is fluent in Spanish, English and German, and has a working knowledge of French.

GLORIA ATWINE KATUUKU

Email: gkatwine@gmail.com

Professional Profile

A professional with over ten years' experience as a result-oriented Information Communications Technology (ICT) and policy professional with vast experience in ICT Policy development, planning, development, coordinating, monitoring and evaluation of ICT sector based related programmes and policies at national level. A highly motivated professional who is passionate about ensuring technology is always designed to support efficient and effective service delivery.

Career Summary

1st August 25 – to date. NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY – UGANDA/ DIRECTOR PLANNING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

Key Achievements

• Directed the review and alignment of strategic planning with the National Development Plan III (NDPIII) program-based budgeting framework, optimizing resource allocation and ensuring organizational initiatives directly contributed to national development objectives
• Spearheaded the streamlining of NITA's performance reporting processes, resulting in significantly improved data consistency and quality, which enhanced decision-making accuracy and organizational accountability in the annual reports developed for EXCO and Board
• Oversaw the successful and timely completion of the annual statistical abstract and IT survey, providing critical data-driven insights that informed strategic planning that contributes to NITA's service delivery.
• Provided executive leadership as the responsible directorate for NITA's budgeting cycle, ensuring fiscal responsibility, optimizing resource utilization and enabling the timely achievement of strategic priorities and projects.
• Led the UDAP initial planning and guidance for each component's budget alignment with workplans and activities. This contributed to timely attainment of a key planning and administrative requirement for the implementation of the project that expands NITA's national impact.

Responsibilities

• Leading Research, planning, monitoring & evaluation, performance reporting for the NITA-U
• Participate in the implementation of the National Data Transmission Backbone Infrastructure and e-Government Infrastructure (NBI&EGI)
• Leading ICT standards development
• Participate in the implementation of the Uganda Digital Acceleration project
• Undertaking planning, monitoring & evaluation, performance reporting for ICT component across the various Government Directorates, Department and Agencies
• Undertake Research on innovations to foster the sector
• Support feasibility studies and benefits and impact assessment of IT initiatives, projects and undertakings
• Coordinate the reporting on performance against strategy, IT initiatives, projects and undertakings
• Support the formulation of short-term, medium-term and long-term policies/plans/strategies at National,

AUG 7th 2022 – 30th Nov 2023.   NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY – UGANDA/ MANAGER PLANNING STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE

Key Achievements

• Budget Execution monitored to ensure efficient and effective delivery of institutional plans
• Technical support provided in line with planning, budgeting and M&E
• Harmonized IT statistics and Data management processes
• At least three (3) Identified IT projects and initiatives monitored and evaluated these included UgHub assessment
• Reviewed and revised the M&E plan and subsequently developed the annual workplan for FY 23/24 which highlighted three initiatives to be monitored including; NBI at DLG, UMCS and BPO
• Held consultation meetings with the UMCs project team and started development of the concept note for Monitoring utilization of the UMCS to establish level of adoption and associated results
• Identified data to be collected for compilation of the 2023 NITA-U Statistical Abstract
• Prepared the UDAP workplan for FY 2023/24
• Prepared and submitted the BMAU annual performance report to MoFPED.

2018 – JULY 2022. MINISTRY OF ICT AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE/ PRINCIPLAL ICT OFFICER

Key Achievements

• Provided technical support for the development and implementation of the National Fourth Industrial Revolution Strategy, positioning Uganda at the forefront of global technological advancement and economic diversification.
• Provided technical support for the drafting and formulation of the data protection and privacy regulations, enabling the enforcement of the Data Protection and Privacy Act
• Provided technical support from National ICT Policy perspective for the development of the National Cyber Security Strategy, significantly enhancing national resilience against cyber threats and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
• Provided critical technical leadership and advisory services to key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the Ministries of Lands, Works and Transport, Internal Affairs, and Finance, driving efficiency and modernizing public service delivery across vital government functions.
• Served as a pivotal member of the National ICT Initiative Support program, providing decisive technical guidance that accelerated innovation, fostered local talent, and contributed to the growth of Uganda's tech ecosystem.
• Part of the technical team for the establishment of the Parish Based Model, technical contributor for the system requirement specification to ensure the effective and equitable implementation of this critical national program, impacting grassroots development.
• Part of the Secretariat for taskforce that developed the Fourth Industrial Revolution Strategy
• Represented Uganda as a key delegate at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), influencing global internet governance, securing national interests, and contributing to a stable and open global internet.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking planning, monitoring & evaluation, performance reporting for the Directorate
• Developing procedures and tools for planning and executing ICT research in Government Entities
• Preparing, defending and identifying avenues for funding of the Ministry from the various research proposals

• Member of the Technical Project implementing Team for the digital authentication and electronic signatures
• Mentoring and supervising the Senior ICT officers, ICT Officers as per mandate
• Assist Ministries, departments and Agencies and Local Governments in ICT policy and planning
• Inspect and monitor ICT projects and activities in MDAs and Local Government
• Providing IT technical advice and support to Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the area of information technology.

2014 – 2019. MINISTRY OF ICT AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE/ SENIOR SYSTEMS ANALYST

Key Achievements

• Development of the E-government policy framework
• Development of the National Data Protection and Privacy law
• Development of strategy documents and guidelines including the eGovernment policy framework, GoU Website Standards and Guidelines, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Strategy, BPO Standards and Guidelines for Uganda, and the e-Services Strategy for the Northern Corridor Integration
• Development of the e-waste policy guidelines
• Development of the Country code top level domain name ccTLD policy

Responsibilities

• Participate in the development of monitoring and evaluation indicators for a number of projects and programmes implemented and coordinated by the Ministry these include e-government implementation, e-waste management, business process outsourcing and Business Information Centres
• Formulating and reviewing information technology standards of operation and hardware and software
• Act as a liaison between the Ministry and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
• Develop policies that govern the ICT sector, these include, IT Policy, E-Government Framework Policy, Country Code Top Level Domain Policy (ccTLD), E-Waste Management Policy and Data Protection Policy
• Provide support supervision and technical guidance to Information Communication Technology staff and other MDAs for example Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Internal Affairs
• Identification of tasks and tools that could be automated and developed to support the efficient execution of the above responsibilities.

2010 – 2014. MICROSOFT EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA/ BREADTH PARTNER ACCOUNT MANAGER

Key Achievements

• Drove significant market share expansion and revenue growth for Microsoft's CCG segment in Uganda, achieving a remarkable business growth between 2011 and 2014. This was accomplished by developing and executing strategic growth plans, actively increasing the client base across the EAC region, and fostering strong engagement with distribution channels, ultimately maximizing the company's market penetration and profitability in a key emerging market.
• Cultivated and strengthened critical client and strategic partner relationships with existing clients and Microsoft East and Southern Africa, acting as a trusted advisor and facilitating complex business negotiations. This strategic relationship ensured high client retention rates, secured long-term partnerships and positioned the company as a preferred solution provider within the regional Microsoft ecosystem.
• Elevated client capabilities and accelerated solution adoption through the development and delivery of targeted training programs on Microsoft solutions to potential clients.

Responsibilities

• Developing growth strategies and plans for CCG business Segment
• Managing and retaining relationships with existing clients and Microsoft East and Southern African
• Increasing client base and reach within Uganda and Rwanda
• Carrying out training on Microsoft solutions to potential clients
• Engage with the distribution channels and help in writing business proposals
• Negotiating with stakeholders on business propositions

2007 – 2010. MINISTRY OF ICT/ TECHNIAL ASSISTANT TO THE MINISTER

Key Achievements

• Provided critical technical research and analytical support for the development of national ICT policy, conducting in-depth background research on global best practices in ICT for development, e-governance. My comprehensive findings and technical briefings to the Minister directly informed the formulation of robust and forward-looking policies, laying the essential technical groundwork for Uganda's secure and sustainable digital transformation.
• Instrumental in the technical conceptualization and drafting of key strategic ICT documents and guidelines. My direct technical support ensured the clarity, feasibility, and technical soundness of these documents.
• Optimized the Minister's engagement with technical policy matters and enhanced the Ministry's strategic coordination capabilities. This technical and administrative support facilitated efficient policy implementation, streamlined operational workflows, and ensured the timely execution of critical national ICT programs.

Responsibilities

• Compile and produce documents, briefing papers, reports and presentations
• Carrying out background research and presenting findings to the Minister in areas of ICT for development in relation to other countries and the ICT sector projects with in the country
• Manage the administration of office of the Minister including information flow, compiling and distribution of reports and manage the Minister's agenda
• Perform routine work on behalf of the Minister to ensure continuity of office work
• Screen correspondences and make appropriate referrals to officials of the Ministry, requesting them to act and provide the necessary requirements
• Harmonize inputs of different departments for a fast and efficient implementation and operation
• Ensure Planning, monitoring and coordination of all agreements, link commissions, developments and improvements as specified by the Top Management

2003 – 2006. TREATMENT AND RESEARCH AIDS CENTER/ INFORMATION MANAGER

Key Achievements

• Led the development and implementation of data management systems and procedures across health sites in Rwanda, directly supporting critical Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Tulane University projects. This included conducting comprehensive IT site surveys, analyzing and improving data collection methodologies, and developing a centralized database for tracking VCT, PMTCT, and ARV patients, significantly enhancing the accuracy and accessibility of patient data, which improved program monitoring and patient care outcomes.
• Established a foundational digital infrastructure for knowledge management and communication, including the development and ongoing maintenance of the TRAC Website and the creation of a digital library for archiving national HIV/AIDS documentation. These initiatives revolutionized access to vital health information and resources for stakeholders, fostering knowledge sharing and supporting evidence-based decision-making within the national HIV/AIDS response.
• Elevated the technical capacity of health site personnel and internal staff through comprehensive training programs, focusing on computer usage and optimized data collection procedures, and developed a career development guide to foster continuous learning. Beyond direct training, I ensured the consistent maintenance of all computer equipment across health sites, guaranteeing operational efficiency, empowering frontline workers with essential digital skills, and maximizing the longevity and utility of critical IT assets across the organization's projects.

Responsibilities

• Health Site surveys for IT project implementation and developed report from the survey for Centers for Disease Control and Tulane University projects in Rwanda
• Analysed data collection procedures and data management procedures at health sites and developed procedures for proper Data Collection at Health Centres
• Developed Database for Keeping track of VCT, PMCT and ARV patients
• Developed and maintained the TRAC Website
• Developed a digital Library for archiving documentations on HIV/AIDS in the country
• Developed a career development guide and trained health site employees, TRAC employees and Quality Assurance project in computer usage and data collection procedures
• Ensure and follow up the maintenance of all Computer equipment at all the Health sites.
• Drafted department budget for CDC's COAG funding
• Participated in review of vendors and service providers
  

Education and Qualifications

MA. Masters of Business Administration in International Business (2012)

PGD. Post Graduate Diploma in Information Technology (2016)

BSc. Bachelors of Science Degree

Major: Computer Information Systems & Administration and Management

UACE Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (1998)

UCE Uganda Certificate of Education (1996)

Professional Certifications

• ITIL – People Cert
• Applying 21st Century ICTs in Emerging markets – United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI)
• Cybersecurity and Global Digital Infrastructure Policy
• National Cybersecurity Policy: Balancing Risk and Innovation
• ICT Policymaking in a Global Environment
• E-Government for Development Strategies and Policies – United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI)
• Certificate in Advanced Web Technology tools, CMC India
• Certificate in Information Security

Leadership skills

2016 – To date Government of Uganda Representative at Internet Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

2019 – 2022 Board Member, UICT

2018- 2019 President Rotary Club of Bukoto

2018 National ICT Initiative support Program support team member Ministry of ICT & National Guidance        

2014 Member of the Coordination Team Review of the ICT Sector Implementation Plan, Ministry of ICT, Uganda

2008 Member of the Committee Reviewing the Study on Development and Dissemination of Physical Addresses and Postcodes, Ministry of ICT

2007 – 2008 Member of the Business Process Outsourcing Think Tank Drafting

5-12 Nov 2014 Uganda Representative to the International Telecommunications Union, Plenipotentiary Conference, Antalya, Turkey

14-16 Nov 2006    Uganda Representative to the Universal Postal Union Strategy Conference, Dubai

2-4 Nov 2006 Uganda Representative to Sino Africa Summit Conference, Beijing China

28-30 Oct 2007 Uganda Delegate International Telecommunications Union Conference on Connect Africa, Kigali, Rwanda

12-15 May, 2008   Uganda Representative to the International Telecommunication Union, Cairo, Egypt

4-6 March, 2008   Coordination Team E-Governance Forum by Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization, Kampala, Uganda

Referees

Fredrick Kitoogo
Principal, Uganda Institute of ICT
Telephone: +256772855884
E-mail: fredrick.kitoogo@uict.ac.ug

Chris Mukua
Commercial Sector Business Manager, Oracle
Telephone: +254722515418
E-mail: chris.mukua@oracle.com

Dr. Ham Mukasa Mulira
CEO E-Consults
Tel: +256772325737/ +256758807773
E-mail: hmmulira@gmail.com