Author: juliet

New Laws in Uganda Restrict Citizens’ Rights

Posted on by

By Juliet Nanfuka

Recently introduced laws and regulations in Uganda have caused a stir both within the country and internationally for restricting citizens’ rights to freedom of expression on the internet and offline.

The most contentious of these are the Anti-Pornography Act 2014, the Public Order Management Act 2013, the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2014, the 2014 Press and Journalist regulations and the Non Government Organisation (NGO) Amendment bill. They are criticised for creating unwarranted restrictions to liberties granted by the country’s 1995 constitution.

Continue Reading →

How are ICTs impacting Governance in East Africa? (A.K.A “ICT and Governance in EA” Project)

Posted on by

Much as has been said of the promise, potential and progress of ICTs in the East African region. Governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector players, citizens and other stakeholders are embracing ICTs in interesting and innovative ways that merit further study. It is for this reason that iHub Research, as part of the ICT4Democracy East Africa network, is undertaking a project to assess how ICT tools are being used for various aspects of governance in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Continue Reading →

Local Leaders in Kasese District Trained in e-Governance

Posted on by

This month, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) and the E-Society Resource Centre Kasese trained local leaders in Kasese district in the use of ICTs for improved governance and service delivery. During the March 20-21 2014 workshop, local leaders of the western Uganda district were also trained in using ICTs for information sharing and promoting citizen participation.

Speaking at the workshop, District Information Officer John Thawite urged local leaders to break away from the culture of secrecy and work in accordance with the 2005 Uganda Access to Information Act. “Meaningful participation in democratic processes requires informed participants hence the need for increased access to information,” he said.

Continue Reading →

Taking stock of service delivery in the districts of Apac, Kole and Oyam in Northern Uganda

Posted on by

Voluntary social accountability committees in Apac, Kole and Oyam were empowered by Women of Uganda Network, equipped with ICT tools especially mobile phones and cameras to facilitate them in monitoring, documenting and disseminating service delivery issues within their respective communities to their various duty bearers and also share the key findings on various platforms such as Ushahidi and U-Call. They were also equipped with networking and advocacy skills so as to prepare them to be able to engage with their leaders on key issues of concern in the community so that they take action to address them.

Continue Reading →

iHub Research: iQuarterly

Posted on by

For our first iQuarterly issue this year, the iHub Research team offers our take on the new year by surmising, theorizing and inferring on what the year might look like from a tech perspective.

Together with the new year, we are sharing some of our new proj- ects being undertaken this year, made possible by the accomplish- ment of past projects. We also release two reports from such past projects in this issue.

Continue Reading →

Forum Leaders Assess the Exchange visit to ICT4Democracy East Africa partners’ projects in Northern Uganda

Posted on by
On 16th February 2014, forum leaders appeared on Better FM to assess the exchange visit to Women of Uganda Network(WOUGNET), Transparency International (TI) and Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) supported projects in the districts of Apac, Lira, Oyam and Gulu that was aimed at ensuring ToroDev staff and partners have a deep understanding and context of how local citizens in Northern Uganda are engaging their leaders for improved service delivery.

Continue Reading →

Rwenzori Journalist trained in policy making

Posted on by
Over 60 journalists from the seven districts of the Rwenzori region has been trained in policy process making, interpretation to enable them have legal skills that will enable them make leaders accountable. Johnstone Baguma Kumaraki the Director Tooro Dev speaking to Journalists in a  one day training work shop organized by Rwenzori Journalist Forum in Partnership with Tooro development net work yesterday at Whispering gardens.

Continue Reading →

Video: Introduction to eSociety Kasese

Posted on by

Located in Western Uganda, eSociety Kasese is a resource centre that promotes ICT literacy and the use of ICT for transparency in the local government. As part of its iParticipate Uganda project, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) has provided to the centre equipment and connectivity support. In addition, we jointly conduct research and citizen journalism training.

Below is an introductory video to the Centre.

[youtube 0gHmetwCgfo nolink]

 

ToroDev holds an exchange visit to ICT4Democracy East Africa partners’ projects in Northern Uganda.

Posted on by
ToroDev project staff and advocacy forum leaders from the Western Uganda districts of Kyenjojo, Kabarole and Ntoroko had an exchange visit to Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), Transparency International (TI) and Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) supported projects in the districts of Lira, Apac, Oyam and Gulu.
The 5 days exchange visit (11th – 15th February, 2014) was aimed at improving ToroDev’s and partners approaches of using appropriate ICTs and physical platforms like rural advocacy forums to promote engagements between local citizens and leaders for improved service delivery in the seven districts of the Rwenzori region.

Continue Reading →