JOURNALISTS AND RURAL MONITORS IN BUNDIBUGYO DISTRICT TRAIN IN WEB 2.0 TOOLS

RIC-NET on 18^th to 29^th of March participated in a two days’ training on online/web 2.0 tools; i.e. skype, twitter, facebook, blogs at  Toro Development Network in Fort-portal. The training was aimed at equipping journalists and other social accountability advocates with knowledge and skills in using ICT tools to best share information, as they monitor public service delivery in the region. 

Participants during the training at ToroDev’s resource center

The training was organized by Toro Development Network in partnership with PANOS-Eastern Africa, African Center for media Excellence (ACME), Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) Uganda Radio Network (URN) and Rwenzori Information Centers Network (RIC-NET). It was attended by approximately 11 (Eleven) Participants; who mainly included rural monitors and advocates, and was facilitated by Mr. Milton Aine from the ICT4Democracy in East Africa network.

Among others the participants were trained on how to collect, document and disseminate information on social accountability online for improved service delivery. 

 RIC-NET ICT officer supporting the participants during the training

And how to use the different and relevant on-line platforms; Ushahidi platform, hosted on http://www.wougnet.org/ushahidi/, twitter, and Skype. Participants were introduced to these platforms, and shown how they are created, and how they operate; during the training some participants opened accounts on some of these platforms like twitter and skype.

Adding to the facilitators’ session the RIC-NET ICT Officer in-charge of the Bundibugyo E-society Centre Mr. Mbusa Elijah, extensively shared how the blog works, and what it can be used for. Elijah also highlighted the importance of other social media like facebook.

The training ended at 4:00PM with closing remarks from the Toro Development network Executive Director, Mr Johnstone Kumaraki; Johnstone appealed to Journalists in Rwenzori region to exercise the highest level of professionalism, as they are report on social accountability for only that would help in realizing better service delivery in the region.
Mr Kumaraki noted that as partners in development, journalists should be relevant to the communities in which they live, to enable them verify and report facts on issues of public concern so that line authorities can make appropriate implementation.
Calling them monitors of service delivery, Kumaraki advised journalists to always report success and non success stories, to raise attention of leaders at all levels, as they learn from each other so that people can get out of poverty. He however cautioned journalists, to desist from filing stories which can cause incitement saying that people believe so much in the media.

The trainees pose for a photo with the trainer( 5^th from the left) after the training