Tag: Citizen Engagement

Stimulating the Civic Tech Arena in Uganda

Posted on by

By Daniel Mwesigwa

For many citizens across Africa, technology has not only bridged the communication gap between citizens and businesses, but also between governments and citizens. The potential of technology in enabling citizens to participate in governance processes, access public services, and engage with duty bearers has largely gained prominence due to the high internet penetration rates, increasing use of social media and a rise in civic consciousness.
At a recent civic tech showcase in Uganda, it emerged that, as in the rest of Africa, there was growing potential and enthusiasm in the country, with a wide variety of tools deployed by government, civil society and technologists to facilitate social accountability and citizen journalism. The challenge however, remains of creating awareness among citizens for wider adoption of the tools and collaboration among actors to ensure synergies and avoid duplication of efforts.
Continue Reading →

Thanks to ICT, government secrets get ever fewer

Posted on by

In Summary

  • Social media tools were deployed to mount vitriol against perceived enemies, along the usual tribal contours that define our politics while degrading our capacities as a united nation.
  • Many government agencies have deployed ICT platforms to share documents that were previously inaccessible in their “hard-copy” state.

By John Walubengo

Have ICTs enhanced political participation, social accountability, public service delivery and citizen engagement in East Africa in the recent past?

These were the research questions behind a study commissioned by CIPESA, a regional think tank focusing on ICTs in East and Central Africa.

In Kenya’s case, the answers are found in its recently published ICTs in Governance report. Some, which make for interesting reading, are highlighted below.
Continue Reading →

“Citizens Are not Well Sensitized on the Role of MPs” Rwamuhumbu

Posted on by

Mr. Rwamuhumbu Davis, an opinion leader from Kabarole district, Western Uganda has indicated that there is increased ignorance from citizens on the role of their leaders because citizens are not well sinsitised about the constitution.

Mr. Rwamuhumbu was participating on the Orukurato live radio discussion supported by ToroDev on Hits FM, Fort Portal which was broadcast on 8thNovember, 2014 (08:00 – 10:00pm). The topic for discussion was, “What are the roles of Members of Parliament”.

The discussion topic was in response to the tracfm poll question titled, “As a citizen of Uganda, what is the role you expect from your Members of Parliament? Available online at http://tracfm.org/p/view/1178/

Continue Reading →

New Report Shows How ICT is Aiding Citizen Participation in Uganda

Posted on by

A new report by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) illustrates how Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are aiding citizen participation in Uganda, but also points to the challenges that need to be overcome for these technologies to have a wider impact on governance.
The report reviews various ICT tools being used to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in Uganda. It examines the utility and shortcomings of these tools, the challenges they face, and the factors contributing to their success. Furthermore, it offers suggestions for improving the utility, reach, and, hopefully, the success of initiatives that utilise ICT to improve citizen participation.

Continue Reading →