RICNET @ 10

The cake being cut amidst great joy

It was all joy and excitement as RICNET staff and friends gathered together at Allan’s Resort Fort Portal to celebrate and rejoice the 10 year anniversary. Our greatest achievement is having been able to live to see this organization grow to 10 years and more. Since inception in 2005 RICNET has maintained its core values of respect, integrity and commitment which we find worthy of celebration. It is these core values that have enabled us achieve so much in these 10 years. We have been able to achieve great friendships, we have had the joy of watching the Rwenzori region grow within these 10 years. There is no greater joy than seeing our initial goals being reached ie to improve the information dissemination through use of ICT in the Rwenzori region. We are glad to have fostered development and peaceful coexistence within the region.
RICNET has been a source of employment to a good number of people in the region and country at large  sourcing them with great skills and empowerment that has helped improve livelihood and development of the people.                            
RICNET has also  been able to acquire its own home in Fort Portal,  We have also acquired two cars to ease transportation and help staff carry out their activities .
RICNET has also  acquired three awards from: E-learning Africa, QUAM certificate and an honor from UNICEF as a low risk organization, establishing and equipping a network of 7 district E-society resource centres, 8 information centres, 35 sub-county rural information centres and points, 20 community information facilitators, 15 plant doctors and have guided the network to stability and prosperity for 10 years.

This celebration was attended by Hon. Rwabuhinga Richard LCV chairman Kabarole district, Mr.Asiimwe Stephen RDC Kabarole district, Alex Ruhunda area Member of Parliament, Regional Police Cammandor Mr.Sp Karamura Patrick, ACAO Bundibugyo Mr.Kamu Jim, prime minister Obudhigiya Bwa Bwamba, representative from the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, CSOs like KRC, Goodhope, KALI, KAANA foundation RIDE-AFRICA, TooroDev and media personnel and so many other dignitaries.

Various speakers congratulated RICNET upon finishing 10 years of success and commended it for the good work done of empowering citizens to access and use information for wealth creation and engagement. In addition the guest of honour Mr.Alex Ruhunda, warned the black race-especially Africans to  stop lamenting, conflicting with one another, wasting time on non developmental issues and promoting unnecessary divisionism; true social, political and economic changes will remain a night mare or on paper forever. "If at all we want to transform Africa and make it a safe haven like other continents of this world we must reduce hours of sleep, shouldn't relax, must stop wasting time reduce on our reproduction and must be focused. There is plenty of work to do in order for us to confront our hardships head-on" he said.

Mr.John Silco giving remarks

The Executive Director, John Silco said he believes that poverty, social exclusion and bad governance can be eradicated when people living in poverty and those who are socially excluded, have timely access relevant information, empowered to discover and use their power and knowledge individually or collectively to confront power relations that perpetuate marginalization, injustice, vulnerability, and expand space for civic engagement in decisions that affect them.
RICNET hopes to continue serving the people of Rwenzori region and also extend its services to other parts of the country.