I was impressed when randomly searching for some thing about Kasese on the internet i landed on some news about some of our activities we are conducting. This was written about the E-Society project being run in Kasese District. To make matters interesting, the writter thought the project is being run in Rwanda. The rest of the details were fine. This clearly shows that someone who wrote about this does not know much about the E-Society which to me is interesting.
We have already contacted the editor of the platform to correct the article. Below is the link to the news platform.
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/en/issue-no-535/internet/internet-news-in-brief
Compiled By
Bwambale Edwin
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
RIC-NET conducts e-society stakeholders
John B. Thawite
15 December 2010
KASESE district is finalising an internet-based, facility, the first of its kind in the Rwenzori region, that will enable the district administration and her stakeholders to electronically share information online.
This will enable the district administration to store, retrieve and disseminate various documents among stakeholders in and outside the district, including central government and the donors.
The facility, known as the electronic society (e-society) centre, is housed in the District Information Office. It also comprises an electronic library (e-library) where the district will upload and retrieve its documents including procurement and job application information, development plans, budgets, various reports, minutes of council and departmental proceedings.
The facility based and managed by the district, is funded by the Netherlands-based International Institute for Communication and Developments (IICD) through the Rwenzori Information Centres Network (RIC-NET).
The e-society and the e-library can be accessed via the district website, http://www.kasese.go.ug, which RIC-NET has also helped reactivate.
"The facility is so far the first of its kind in the Rwenzori region," the RIC-NET programme manager, John Silco Muruga, said at Hotel Margherita in Kasese Municipality on Friday.
15 December 2010
KASESE district is finalising an internet-based, facility, the first of its kind in the Rwenzori region, that will enable the district administration and her stakeholders to electronically share information online.
This will enable the district administration to store, retrieve and disseminate various documents among stakeholders in and outside the district, including central government and the donors.The facility, known as the electronic society (e-society) centre, is housed in the District Information Office. It also comprises an electronic library (e-library) where the district will upload and retrieve its documents including procurement and job application information, development plans, budgets, various reports, minutes of council and departmental proceedings.
The facility based and managed by the district, is funded by the Netherlands-based International Institute for Communication and Developments (IICD) through the Rwenzori Information Centres Network (RIC-NET).
The e-society and the e-library can be accessed via the district website, http://www.kasese.go.ug, which RIC-NET has also helped reactivate.
"The facility is so far the first of its kind in the Rwenzori region," the RIC-NET programme manager, John Silco Muruga, said at Hotel Margherita in Kasese Municipality on Friday.
Friday, December 3, 2010
MY EXPERIENCE IN SETTING UP DATA CENTRES
Since mid November, members of RWECO and CEWIT have been setting up election monitoring data center in different areas of Uganda. This was PAC in eastern Uganda, ACORD in northern Uganda and CEFORD in west Nile.
My experience as a RICNET staff which is one of the organisations composing RWECO was in many ways; I learnt more on election activities relating to technology. It’s easy to manage data /information by storing it in a system than having it in hard copy. Its easer to duplicate hardcopies. I realise that the uchanguzi system is a designed data base that delivers information so first and clear from election monitors in different locations.
I also achieved more skills and ability on networking LANs from several data centres set up. This was real good work but hectic. Running network cables across buildings is not something simple. The trainings carried on every centre were equally important to me. I hope to acquire skills since we have to set up other data centres in the west region.
Exchange of ideas and views from members of these organizations on how their running and managing was a great deal. It’s changed my thinking capacity and understanding. I acquired knowledge instead.
Besides work, it was adventure. Being my first time to move to East and Northern Uganda. Everything was new and good. People there looked a bit different from those in the west. Their life style is totally different.
However, I found a challenge in communication, language barrier. Apart from English, there was no anymore way of changing information.
Otherwise, I thank RWECO and CEWIT for efforts and huge work they are doing in preparation for 2011 elections.
By; Evelyn M.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
SPREAD THE MESSAGE NOT THE VIRUS By: Erastus Ang'ienda
We at RICNET join the rest of the world in marking the world AIDS day by asking all responsible citizens to spread the message not the virus. with Kabarole having the highest prevalence rate- higher than the national figure, it is our collective responsibility as people of the Rwenzori region and Uganda as a whole to take caution and responsibility to avoid getting caught in this scourge.
A lot has been said and done on prevention of the virus but the decision remains with you as an individual whether to take the measures or not. we should always remember that what we do now will greatly affect our future. Let us all take responsibility and safe guard our future and the future of our country.
A lot has been said and done on prevention of the virus but the decision remains with you as an individual whether to take the measures or not. we should always remember that what we do now will greatly affect our future. Let us all take responsibility and safe guard our future and the future of our country.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
RIC-NET Staff Participates in Setting up Election Monitoring DATA Centers in TESO, Northern Uganda and West Nile regions
Mr. Bwambale Edwin, ICTO RIC-NET setting
up the LAN at PAC Uganda
RIC-NET under CEW-IT is participating in establishing a DATA Centers in the regions of TESO, Northern Uganda and West Nile at PAC Uganda in Soroti, ACCORD in Gulu and CEFORD in Arua respectively. The whole process is going on very well. So far the DATA Centers at PAC Uganda and ACCORD are complete and operation. Trainings have been held to ensure that the Centers are effectively utilized to satisfy the intended objectives. Next is the Journey to Arua, that’s on 24th November, 2010 to set up the Center in Arua at CEFORD.
The Chairperson of PAC Mr. Omwata Charles was introduced to the election platform of uchaguzi in PAC office in Soroti today.
This was during the setting up exercise of the TESO Regional Data centre under the CEW-IT project to which PAC belongs.
Mr. Murugahara John Silco, the Programs Manager
RIC-NET introduces the Chair Person of PAC Mr. Omwato
Charles to the Election Monitoring Platform.
The role of RIC-NET in the CEW-IT project is to provide ICT technical expertise to the activities of the project. For more Information about the activities of the project, you can visit the following sites;
Compiled by
Mr. Bwambale Edwin
Thursday, November 18, 2010
RIC-NET STAFF JOINS KALI,IWDP & GHFRD (RWECO MEMBERS ) TO EVALUATE A TWO YEAR EU/HIVOs FUNDED PROJECT
Rweco members have started evaluating the two year EU/HIVOs funded project. The project was initiated way back in November 2008 and has lasted for two years. The aim of this project was to enhance the civic competence of the citizens to participate in the local government planning and feedback process and demand for accountability in order to influence service delivery.
During the evaluation, Rwenzori Information Centers Network presented their success stories as per result area as follows:
1. Building the capacity of the citizens to participate in local government planning and demand for accountability
· Documentation
Posters 4 Editions (500 copies each)
Newsletters 7 Editions (500 copies each)
Banners 9 different banners
Video Documentaries 2 Editions
Blogs http://rwecovoice.blogspot.com
Documentation of partner activities e.g. Kisangi primary school, Rwentaiki Primary school (IWDP) Public expenditure audit (GHFRD, KALI, IWDP)
· Information sourcing
Collection of Sub county development plans from 20 sub counties and 3 district plans
· Sharing information with the world and the community
NGO News Africa http://www.ngonewsafrica.org/?p=718
New vision 3rd October 2010, Kanyampara water channel http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/18/733904
All Africa.com
http://allafrica.com/stories/201010040296.html
· Radio talkshows:disscusing community projects in the sub development plans
2. Capacity Building of LG and CSOs to account to the community for better service delivery
} 8 trainings on ICT use with LG and CSOs
} 4 trainings on the IEC materials with CSOs
} 1 training CSO portal
Evidence http://kasesenews.blogspot.com/2010/10/training-on-e-library-for-kasese.html
http://rwecovoice.blogspot.com/2009/12/adding-mobile-component-to-e-society.html
} Physical equipments to the Local Government to kick start the E-Society Centre; http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/816942/-/tv6sdf/-/index.html
http://www.i-network.or.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=350
} Continuous Computer Literacy training to individual users from the District Local Government and the CSOs to the E-Society ICT Centre; http://kasese.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-csos-portal-training
} Platforms development for Information sharing;
http://www.kasesecso.org/ - Kasese CSOs Portal
http://www.kasese.go.ug/ - Kasese District Website
http://kaseseelibrary.org - Kasese District E-Library
http://dgroups.org/iicd/kasese - Kasese Community D- Group
http://kasesenews.blogspot.com/ - Kasese District News Blog
http://rwecovoice.blogspot.com/ - CSOs News Blog
http://www.kabaroledistrict.go.ug/ -Kabarole District Website
Documentation for District Content.
Documented UNAID-HIV/AIDS survey statistics for Kasese district, Health department and computer was given to the district.
3. Participating CSOs have improved capacity to influence LG service delivery
· Have trained participating organizations to use ICT tools as platforms for Information sharing;
Letter of Appreciation and recognition;
http://ric-netnews.blogspot.com/2010/09/appreciation.html
http://rwenzoriruralhealthservices.blogspot.com/
http://ric-netnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/kasese-cso-portal-trainingp-by-erastus.html
— Trained CPFs on how to document and take pictures;
— Have Built a D-group & other platforms where CSOs and citizens have shared issues concerning services delivery e.g. Discussion on dividing Kasese District; http://dgroups.org/ViewDiscussion.aspx?c=06190e42-e0f5-4576-9b4d-18637aa0016b&i=6e4890c5-2d65-4a01-aff2-db3d89d15b55
— Helped participating CSO to identify and procure the ICT equipments; such as setting up the Local Area Network (LAN) for KALI
4. Improved dialogue between LG and CSOs
· Held round table meetings to discuss: what info, how it’s needed, in what form. This was to help LG, CSOs and citizens identify how dialogue can be realized.
· Concept of E-Society where LG, CSOs and Citizens have started using the platforms for sharing information.
· Joint assessment of I.C.T needs and tools to be used; referred to ICT Needs assessment report.
· Joint radio talk shows with LGs and CSOs
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Election Observation in Zanzibar
A team of 6 persons from Citizen Election Watch-IT Uganda and one person (Odhiambo Morris) from Kenya participated in the Election Observation process in Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar from 25th October – 3rd November 2010. A similar team of 8 other persons were deployed in Arusha and Mwanza. The main purpose was to share learning and gain experiences on conducting observation for election and use of ICT tools as an integral part of election monitoring which can be used as Uganda prepares for the 2011 elections.
The team participated under the auspices of Legal and Human Rights Centre (Tanzania), which is the lead organization in the consortium called TACCEO (Tanzanian Civil Society Consortium on Election Observation) which was formed to monitor the 2010 elections using the selected observers and poll watchers at different levels in the constituencies in parts of the region. The Ugandan team was split in groups to have a wider coverage and capture issues in parts of Dar Es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha and Zanzibar. This was well coordinated by the TACCEO Regional Coordinator for Dar Es Salaam Dr. Rose Mwaipopo, Harusi in Zanzibar and Jimmy lhuhende in Mwanza.The key highlights observed during the reporting period are presented below:
Campaign process
- 
The campaigns were good and complied with the government regulations governing the campaigning process and procedure.
The campaigns were good and complied with the government regulations governing the campaigning process and procedure.
- There were cases of sporadic and isolated incidences of violence as reported in some constituencies. These were instantly corrected.
Polling day – 31st October 2010
The election was peaceful in most of the polling stations visited and were opened in time except one centre at Mbagala Kibonnde Maji station that started at 10.00 am. Despite all these, all those who turned up voted and by 4.00 pm most stations closed with no one queuing to vote
- Most political parties especially CCM, CUF and CHADEMA were represented by their agents with a list of voters to confirm whether their names marched with the respective numbers which made the exercise more transparent. The party agents conducted the entire exercise in a friendly manner regardless of their ideological leaning. They were also friendly to election official.
- The team noticed low voter turn up in the polling stations visited with less than 50%.
- The team witnessed the way votes were counted, filling of the declaration forms and signing of the forms by the party agents to confirm their satisfaction with the results.
- Majority of the polling staff appeared to know what they were doing on polling day and acted efficiently and professionally but a few officers and assistants did not appear certain about the election commission’s guidelines.
- Most of the Invalid ballot papers at the polling stations visited were not ticked which could have resulted from inadequate voter education.
- Police officers were deployed at all the polling stations visited and police who where not on duty voted among other citizens.
Post election events
- The team was also concerned about the slow pace at which election results were being announced and the anxiety which this delay caused among stakeholders
- There was evidence of security personnel deployed in some parts to curb off outbreak of violence.
NEC, TACCEO, MEDIA
- The voter register was displayed 8 days before the elections to allow voters cross check their names and raise complaints before actual voting day. Cases of disqualified voters and missing names were reported and action taken on some of them to allow them vote.
- Constituency Observers deployed by TACCEO that worked with the Ugandan team looked motivated and knew the issues in their areas. They were able to brief the teams about the situation in the constituency and guided us to the campaign rallies and polling stations.
- News coverage and access of the state media notably TBC, Daily News and Habari Leo Newspapers by different political parties were balanced in their reporting.
Use of ICT by TACCEO
www.uchaguzi.or.tz
The ICT centre was housed at LHRC offices in Dar Es Salaam
- The use of the ICT portal empowered citizens to report on incidences during the election process in real time on the website
- Having many (about 40) volunteers to approve and verify all the incoming reported incidences/text messages was very effective.
- There was action taken about some of the messages sent that required Police or NEC action. This was timely communicated to the relevant authorities
- The centre had all the contacts of the key Police Officers which made the work easy to implement messages that needed police action
- Messages were coming in both Kiswahili and English. This enabled the public to freely express themselves in the language they are comfortable with.
- Total number of reports approved and verified as at 2nd November 2010 were 1486.
- The use of other social media like the skype, twitter, jamii forums, Uchaguzi situation rooms were very effective in supporting the web portal in being up and running by all parties involved.
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