Promoting Effective and Inclusive ICT Policy in Africa

Category Archives: ICT for Democracy

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08Aug

Transparency International Uganda Acquires a Toll Free Line

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Transparency International (TI) Uganda has completed the installation of a toll free call centre at its Lira field office. By calling 0800 200 188 toll free from any local mobile phone service provider, citizens can report on corruption and poor service delivery in the health sector in Northern Uganda.
Through the call centre and as part of its ICT4Health Service Delivery project, TI Uganda aims to reduce the rates of health worker absenteeism, increase community participation in monitoring the functionality of health centres and advocate for polices to improve health service delivery in the post conflict region.
This article was published on July 24, 2012, about the ICT4Democracy in East Africa project, which brings together various partners in the region

08Aug

Kenyan Human Rights Networks Deploy ICT Platforms in their ICT4Democracy Work

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Two Human Rights Networks (HURINETS) working with the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) to improve grass roots based organisations’ and their memberships’ understanding of the commitment to building a human rights society have deployed a crowd map, blogs and social media tools to promote their work.

Laikipia HURINET located in Laikipia in the South Rift Region of Kenya works to empower the Laikipia County Community through promotion of human rights, free information dissemination, training, and networking. The HURINET, also known as the Vision Facilitators Network (VIFANET) in June launched https://laikipiacivicaction.crowdmap.com/.
Meanwhile, Kwale HURINET is documenting its work on child rights at www.genesisforhumanrights.wordpress.com. Kwale HURINET is located in Kwale on South Coast of Kenya. Their work focuses on civic education on the implementation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 with special emphasis on the Bill of Rights, devolution, leadership and integrity among other constitutional provisions; para-legal services on child rights and labour; security, equality and justice.
Read the full report here.
This article was published on July 24, 2012, about the ICT4Democracy in East Africa project, which brings together various partners in the region – among them CIPESA.

08Aug

East African Region New Media and Human Rights Institute workshop

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In collaboration with the African Human Rights Consortium, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) conducted a four-day new media, research and advocacy workshop aimed at scaling-up the use of ICTs in human rights and democracy within East Africa. The workshop attracted 14 participants drawn from civil society and media in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Burundi. During the workshop, KHRC took the opportunity to share information on the activities of the ICT4Democracy in East Africa network attracting a lot of interest from participants. Emphasis was placed on the importance of involvement of civil society actors in various ICT forums and projects.

Civil society organisations in East Africa were urged to embrace ICTs in their advocacy interventions.

This article was published on July 24, 2012, about the ICT4Democracy in East Africa project, which brings together various partners in the region

03Aug

How Can ICT Help to Improve Governance

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In what ways can Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) be used to the benefit of good governance? How can these technologies enable ordinary citizens to play a role in ensuring there is transparency and accountability in service provision in key sectors such as health, education, and water?
This was the focus the Promoting Good Governance and Accountability through use of ICTs in Uganda conference held at the end of June 2012, organised by the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) and CIPESA.
At the one-day national conference, which attracted participants from government departments, civil society, media and academia, the two organisations disseminated their field and research findings on the use of ICT in enhancing citizen participation in governance and monitoring service delivery. There were discussions on how to use ICT more gainfully, given that there has hitherto been limited national experience and documentation in this area.
The Proceedings of the conference are available here.

27Jul

New Partner: Toro Development Network (ToroDev)

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The ICT4Democracy in East Africa network which brings together various partners in the region – among them CIPESA is pleased to announce that a new organisation has joined efforts with us in leveraging on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to promote good governance and democratic processes.
Toro Development Network (ToroDev) is spearheading a project to promote public accountability for improved service delivery in Rwenzori region, western Uganda. The project will see the use of a local FM radio broadcasting station as a “hub” for the convergence of information and knowledge provided by internet and mobile technology tools.
Broadcast media practitioners and staff from 10 FM radio stations in the Rwenzori region will be trained on how to design programs and to broadcast relevant content and information that empowers local citizens to advocate and monitor the quality of service delivery, and 
democratically engage their leaders for development planning and budgeting. Radio staff together with rural monitors will also be trained on how to use online social media tools to undertake research, document and disseminate on FM radios information on how to demand accountability and engage with fellow citizens beyond their communities for support using ICT.
Furthermore, in partnership with FrontLineSMS-UK, ToroDev will  optimise  the  use  of  mobile  telephony,  whereby  local  citizens  directly interact with FM radio stations to air  their views regarding the status of service delivery in their communities through SMS.
Established in 2006, ToroDev works to mobilise communities, sensitise and train marginalised groups (rural women and youth) in strategic use of ICT for Development tools for maximum resources utlisation for self sustainability. ToroDev’s activities also focus on ICT-enabled innovation and entrepreneurship development, public accountability and democratic engagement for improved service delivery. The organisation has previously worked in partnership with Stem van Africa (SvA) – Netherlands, National Endowment for Democracy 
(NED) – USA, PANOS-Eastern Africa, Human  Rights Network – Uganda and Uganda Journalists Union.
At its Fort Portal town head office, ToroDev also maintains an ICT Research and Resource Centre.
For more information please visit www.torodev.co.ug

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