Author: juliet

Update on ICT4Democracy in East Africa Network Activities January – June 2014

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By Juliet N. Nanfuka

The network of seven partners (profiles) unified under the ICT4Democracy in East Africa initiative have since 2011 jointly worked to enhance the capacity of citizens and governments in using ICTs to promote human rights, good governance and citizen participation.

Between January and June 2014, the partners each undertook activities that aimed to support the inclusivity of citizens in transparency, accountability and service delivery monitoring through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. These activities are increasing citizens’ participation in decision-making processes and strengthening democracy in the region.

The partners have each created unique approaches to encouraging citizen participation through mobile short message services (SMS), FM radio, social media such as Facebook and Twitter, crowd-mapping platforms and a toll free call centre. Research has also been conducted by some partners on the knowledge and perceptions associated with ICT use and the flow of information between citizens and government.

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Strengthening Accountability and Transparency for Better Service Delivery

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‘Better Life Youth Forum’ is one of the advocacy Forums that were formed by the120 rural monitors who were trained by ToroDev in online advocacy, monitoring service delivery and using online social media tools like Ushahidi plat form for online documentation, visualization and mapping. The forum’s theme is“Strengthening accountability and transparency for better service delivery”with youths and women who demand for accountability and better service delivery from their local leaders in Butiiti Sub County, Kyenjojo District.

Members of Better Life Youth Forum launched their forum on 15th September 2014 at the Sub County Head Quarters of Butiiti Sub County, Kyenjojo District and invited different local leaders who were able to give accountability to over 400 local citizens.

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ICT4Democracy In East Africa Network To Participate In Inaugural Buntwani Conference

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The ICT4Democracy in East Africa network will participate in the first Buntwani conference scheduled to take place October 7–8, 2014 in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference is aimed at exploring the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in strengthening citizen engagement and participation in Africa.

The network is made up of organisations pursuing projects that are tackling issues such as corruption, service delivery, respect for human rights, and civic engagement in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The shared goal is to collaboratively leverage on ICTs as tools for promoting good governance and democratisation.

As the use of ICTs in East Africa grows steadily, driven by the availability of cheaper smart phones and the popularity of social media platforms, so does the opportunity through which to utilise these very tools and platforms as avenues for transparency and accountability in governance.

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Can the Media Help Save the Peace Recovery and Development Project?

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By Emily Mullins

In early July, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) met with members of the Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) to discuss the Peace Recovery and Development Project (PRDP). First launched in October 2007, the PRDP sought to improve livelihoods in post-conflict Northern Uganda. Its stated objectives were to consolidate state authority, rebuild and empower communities, revitalise the economy, and to promote peace and reconciliation.

Individual projects to achieve these objectives included enhancing the rule of law, providing equipment and logistics to strengthen law enforcement, build and staff health centres, schools, and building roads, bridges, and market facilities. The plan also claimed that in the process, it would prioritise according to the concerns of the communities within which it was working.

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Rural Monitors of Butiiti Sub County Advocate for Better Services

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ToroDev has been highly involved in mentoring and supporting the initiation and strengthening the newly formed advocacy forums to champion the demanding of improved service delivery and democratic engagements through the use of ICT4D tools in the Rwenzori Region districts. ‘

Better Youths Life Forum’ in Butiiti Sub County, Kyenjojo District is one of the advocacy forums that have been formed by the 120 rural monitors who were trained by ToroDev in online advocacy, monitoring service delivery using online social media tools like Ushahidi plat form for online documentation, visualization and mapping.

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Rwenzori Journalist Forum (RJF) Holds a Press Conference in Bundibugyo District

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Rwenzori Journalist Forum (RJF) in partnership with Bundibugyo Media Practitioners’ Forum has held the 2nd monthly press conference on 9th September 2014, at Vanilla Hotel located in Bundibugyo Town. The 1st press conference was held in Fort Portal and was organized by Tooro Media Practitioners (TOMPA) in partnership with RJF. The monthly press conference which is supported by ToroDev is aimed at improving service delivery through timely engagements between local citizens and both local and central government leaders.

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Rural Monitors Continue Advocating for Public Accountability and Better Services

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In the month of August 2014, ToroDev evaluation team encouraged advocacy forums to work hand in hand with the local citizens and actively engage their leaders in physical meetings on FM radio stations. “Advocacy forums have been encouraged to have internal meetings to determine their activities and priorities independently without necessarily relying on ToroDev. Thirteen forums held meetings, and they will continue to hold monthly meetings with facilitation given to them from ToroDev to help them in carrying out mobilization”, said Amanya Shilla, ToroDev’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.

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ICT and Governance in East Africa : Preliminary Fieldwork Findings (Part 2)- Apac and Lira

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By Albert Otieno,

This is a brief summary of our preliminary findings from interviews and focus group discussions on thoughts of ICTs in governance from the CSOs, NGOs and the citizens in general in Apac and Lira, two towns in northern Uganda. One of the research questions sought to understand the challenges facing the society and how ICT tools can be used to address them.

Among the CSOs we interviewed were Citizen Action Platform (by The Apac Anti-Corruption Coalition), Kubere Information Centre, Concerned Children and Youth Association, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization, Corruption Brakes Crusade and Lira NGO Forum

For preliminary findings in the other Uganda study site, click here.

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ICT and Governance in East Africa : Preliminary Fieldwork Findings (Part 1) Kampala and Fort Portal (Uganda)

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The ICT and Governance in East Africa study explores the various ways in which ICT tools can/have successfully facilitated or hindered two way interaction between government and citizens towards effective public service delivery, curbing corruption and increasing transparency and accountability. Further we are looking into the innovative ICT initiatives that have facilitated the interaction between citizen and government as well as the (de)motivations for utilizing ICT tools among the various stakeholders (citizens, governments, civil society).

READ MORE ON THE PROJECT HERE.

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My Work As A Leader Is To Improve Service Delivery, Alex Ruhunda

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On 6th September 2014, the Member of Parliament of Fort Portal Municipality Hon Alex Ruhunda indicated his role as a leader. “My work as a leader is to deliver better services to my citizens. I did not come into office just to enjoy the opportunities, but to lobby for better services for the people of Fort Portal Municipality. People of Fort Portal need to work hard to see that our vision of having a city is realized”. Hon Alex was discussing on ToroDev’s live radio discussion called ‘Orukurato Program’, a 2hr weekly radio program that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (08:00 – 10:00) pm.

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