Category: Governance

ICT 4 Sustainable Community Development

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Author: Simon Peter Ogwang   

Project Coordinator at Transparency International Uganda

Following the decline and eventual end of the rebel insurgency in Northern Uganda, many civil society organizations moved into the region to rebuild and improve service delivery by ensuring improved accessibility of resources to intended beneficiaries, however what is important to note is that, the use of technology for people empowerment and engagement was hardly available at the time in the region. With the introduction of Transparency International Uganda’s current health project, funded by SPIDER in the Districts of Lira and Oyam, the use of ICT for people empowerment and engagement has been widely embraced.

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ICT4Democracy In East Africa Workshop Proceedings

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Eighteen months since the ICT4Democracy In East Africa Network’s inception, aworkshop was convened in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to review the work being done by the partners, and to discuss the sustainability of the initiatives and the network.

Partners in the network are the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) of Tanzania, iHub Research (Kenya), the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Toro Development Network, Transparency International Uganda, and the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET). The partners are leveraging ICTs to hold leaders accountable to citizens, as well as to fight corruption, monitor service delivery, and contribute to building a democratic culture.

Read the full workshops proceedings here.

TRIAL_5

The week in Uganda Parliament : 1st – 5th April, 2013

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Plenary
MOVER SUBJECT BRIEF ABOUT SUBJECT ACTION
April 2, 2013
Hon. Matia kasaija (MP Buyanja County )Minister of State for Finance(Planning) Laying of papers Uganda Vision 2040 Referred to the Committee of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to work in conjunction with the Budget Committee.
Hon. Sabiti Jack (MP, Rukiga County) Chairperson of the Local Governments Accounts Committee. Laying of papers Financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2011 together with the report and opinion thereon by the Auditor-General for the following; Kotido District Local Government, Kotido Town Council, Abim District Local Government, Abim Town Council, Nakapiripirit District Local Government, Nakapiripirit Town Council, Jinja District Local Government, Jinja Municipal Council, Kakira Town Council, Buwenge Town Council, Butembe Town Council, Bulambuli District Local Government, Gulu District Local Government, Gulu Municipal Council, Kumi District Local Government, Kumi Town Council, Fort Portal Municipal Council, Katakwi District Local Government, Katakwi Town Council, Wakiso District Local Government, Wakiso Town Council,Entebbe Municipal Council, Moroto District Local Government, Moroto Municipal Council, Bukedea District Local Government and Bukedea Town Council. Reports referred to the Committee of Local Government Accounts for scrutiny.
Hon. James Baba (Ex-officio) Minister of State for Internal Affairs. Bills seconds reading The Public Order Management Bill, 2011 The bill seeks to provide for regulation of public meetings, the duties and responsibilities of the police, the organisers and participants in relation to public meetings, to prescribe measures for safeguarding public order without compromising the principles of democracy, freedom of association and freedom of speech. Members debated the bill.
April 3, 2013
Hon. Awong Ahmed(MP Koboko County) Laying of papers Financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2011 together with the report and opinion thereon by the Auditor-General for the following; Serere District Local Government, Serere Town Council, Amuria District Local Government, Amuria Town Council, Lugazi Town Council, Buikwe District Local Government, Buikwe Town Council, Amudat District Local Government, Amudat Town Council, Namayingo District Local Government, Namayingo Town Council, Soroti District Local Government, Soroti Municipal Council, Busia District Local Government, Busia Municipal Council, Kampala City Council-Nakawa Division, Kampala City Council-Central Division, Kampala City Council-Headquarters, Kampala City Council-Makindye ,Kampala City Council-Kawempe, Kibaale town Council, Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town Council, Buliisa Town Council, Kibuku District Local Government, Kyenjojo District Local Government, Otuke District Local Government, Buvuma District Local Government, Bundibugyo Town Council, Masindi District Local Government and Maracha District Local Government. Reports referred to the Committee of Local Government Accounts for scrutiny.
Hon. James Baba (Ex-officio) Minister of State for Internal Affairs. Bills seconds reading The Public Order Management Bill, 2011 The bill seeks to provide for regulation of public meetings, the duties and responsibilities of the police, the organisers and participants in relation to public meetings, to prescribe measures for safeguarding public order without compromising the principles of democracy, freedom of association and freedom of speech. Debate concluded. Parliament considers bill at the committee stage. Consideration of bill deferred.
Hon. Stephen Mukitale (MP Buliisa County) Chairperson Committee of National Economy. Presentation, consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee of National Economy to borrow from the European Union. Government intends to borrow Euro 55 million for financing the widening and improvement of the Kampala Northern Bypass and the construction of the Mbarara Bypass. Presentation of report deferred
April 4, 2013
Hon. Gabriel Ajedra(MP)Minister of state for Finance(Investment) Laying of papers Request to borrow UA 67 million from the African Development Fund(AFDB) of the African Development Bank Group for financing the support to Higher Education, Science and Technology Project(HEST) Request committed to Committee of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Hon. Kahinda Otafiire(MP)Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Laying of papers The 15th annual report of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, 2012. Report committed to the Committee of Human Rights
Hon. Florence Namayanja(MP Bukoto County East) Laying of papers Financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2011 together with the report and opinion thereon by the Auditor-General for the following; Kamuli District Local Government, Luuka District Local Government, Iganga District Local Government, Kaliro District Local Government, Bugiri District Local Government, Buyende Town Council, Kayunga District Local Government, Kayunga Town Council, Kamwenge Town Council, Namutumba Town Council, Bugembe Town Council,Buyende Town Council, Dokolo District Local Government, Kiryadongo District Local Government, Kaliro Town Council, Kalongo Town Council, Bududa District Local Government, Koboko District Local Government, Koboko District Local Government, Nakasongola Town Council, Luwero District Local Government, Amuru District Local Government, Kyegegwa District Local Government, Amolatar Town Council, Kaabong Town Council, Napak-Lorengechora Town Council, Ngora Town Council, Apac District Local Government, Lamwo District Local Government, Kasese District Local Government, Nwoya District Local Government, Yumbe District Local Government, Pader District Local Government, Nebbi District Local Government, Zombo Town Council and Adjumani District Local Government. Reports committed to the Committee of Local Government Accounts for scrutiny.
Hon. Paul Mwiru(MP, Jinja Municipality East) Question for oral answer to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic on the Road Fund Act, 2008. Hon. Gabriel Ajedra, Minister of State for Finance responds; since the coming into effect of the Road Fund Act, fuel levies have not been collected. What has been collected is excise tax and in accordance with the URA Act, the funds are remitted to URA account.
Hon. Dr Bayigga Lulume (MP, Buikwe County South) Question for oral answer to the Minister of Health on tuberculosis disease burden in Uganda. Hon. Christine Ondoa, Minister for Health responds; There is an improvement in laboratory system to detect more cases and there is a first and second line of treatment available in the country. There are five centres that have started the treatment for the multi-drug resistance Tuberculosis in the country and there are plans to scale this up to all the 13 regional referral hospitals and some of the general hospitals.
Hon. Monica Amoding(MP, National Youth MP) Motion seeking leave of Parliament to introduce a private members bill. Rules of Procedure provide that a Private Members Bill shall be introduced first by way of a motion seeking leave of Parliament; every Member of Parliament has a right to move a Private Members Bill; member seeks leave to introduce the National Youth Enterprise Fund Bill, 2013 Motion approved
Hon. Jack Wamanga-Wamai(MP, Mbale Municipality) Presentation of petition The petition is by civil servants of Mbale district who are trying to purchase former pool houses under a mortgage scheme run by Housing Finance bank. The petitions say that the bank is trying to sell the houses behind their back. They are seeking Parliament intervention in the matter. Petition referred to Committee of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Hon. Kahinda Otafiire,(MP ) Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs The Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2009 The object of the bill is to reform and consolidate the law relating to marriage, separation and divorce provide for the types of recognized marriages in Uganda, marital rights and duties, recognition of cohabitation in relation to property rights, grounds for breakdown of marriage, and rights of parties on dissolution of marriage. It also deals with widow inheritance and separation. Members to consult further on the bill for three months.
Hon. Stephen Mukitale (MP Buliisa) Chairperson Committee of National Economy. Presentation, consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee of National Economy to borrow from the European union. Government intends to borrow Euro 55 million for financing the widening and improvement of the Kampala Northern Bypass and the construction of the Mbarara Bypass. Loan approved.

GISWatch 2012 Reports Published

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The 2012 Global Information Society Watch (GISWatch) reports have been published. GISWatch is a collaborative community committed to building an open, inclusive and sustainable information society, through collaborative monitoring of implementation of international (and national) commitments made by governments towards the creation of an inclusive information society.

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Press statment on integrity and accountability in Kenya’s March 4, 2013 General Elections

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The KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (KHRC) has released a statement calling upon Kenyans to ensure the integrity of and accountability of candidates for the upcoming general elections, 4th March, 2013.
Below are the links to the press conference broken down into three segments:
1. Implications of the High Court ruling on the eligibility case against Uhuru and Ruto’s candidature.
2. KHRC’s Position on Integrity and Accountability of Candidates for the General Elections.
3. Q & A on Integrity and Accountability of Candidates for the March 4, 2013 General Elections.

iHub Research releases Water Governance draft report

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Use of mobile technology in promoting transparency issues in water governance

This report details our M-Governance study, which aimed to understand the use of mobile technology in promoting transparency issues in water governance. The report targets mobile developers, water sector specialists, key stakeholders involved in policy-making, regulation and water service development and provision in Kenya drawn from the government sector, civil society organizations, academia and the media.

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Celebrations of the Human Rights Day in Tanzania

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The Human Rights day which takes place on the 12th of December was celebrated in pomp and color with the guest of honor being Hon. Mizengo Pinda, the Prime Minister of Tanzania. The Chairman for CHRAGG, (Retired)Chief Justice, Captain Amiri R Mamento gave his opening address which focused on Human Rights and the prevention and combating of corruption.

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ICT4Democracy Network at 2012 Africa-Eu Cooperation Week On ICT–e-Government & e-Democracy session

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iHub Research and CIPESA attended the 2012 Africa-EU Cooperation Week on ICT from Nov. 26-30, 2012 in Lisbon, Portugal to participate in the e-Government & e-Democracy session. Vasilis Koulolias of Gov2U and Angela Crandall of iHub Research moderated the e-Gov/e-Dem discussion session. Ashnah Kalemera of CIPESA represented the ICT4Democracy Network. The 90-minute session was attended by a range of stakeholders including the African Development Bank, academics from Europe, technology consultants from Africa and Europe, and government representatives.

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ICT4Democracy East AFrica Workshop in Dar es Salaam

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The ICT4Democracy East Africa Network is currently holding a two day workshop in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. This workshop aims to promote the Network’s activities where the partners will be presenting on the progress of their work.

The event was officially opened by Eng. Dr. Zaipuna Yonah, the Director of ICT, Ministry of Science and Technology in Tanzania. While addressing SPIDER(The Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions) and SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), Dr. Zaipunah thanked the government of Sweden for supporting the development of ICTs in the developing world and indicated that the work of the ICT4Democracy in East Africa is already impacting lives of citizens living in the region.

Dr. Zaipuna also  highlighted the work the Tanzanian government was doing in developing ICT infrastructure within the country and urged the members of the network to continue sharing the progress of their work. He completed his address saying that “Accountability should not only be in what we read and write, democracy is more about translating the intentions into realities”

To view the complete gallery of the ongoing workshop  visit this link.

The presentations from the workshop will be uploaded later on this site.

Online Dialogue on Internet Governance for African Civil society

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Organized by the African Civil Society Conversation on Internet Governance (APC), this dialogue conversation takes place from September 12th- 31st December 2012. Interested participants are invited to join the dialogue which will include among African civil society, media and other people who care about a free, open and accessible internet to share views and increase their understanding of current trends in internet regulation and governance.

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