By Neema Iyer |
Let’s be honest.
When was the last time you read the “Terms and Conditions” before you signed up for a new service online?
We don’t blame you. It’s easy to get lost in the legal jargon.
But do you know what happens to your personal data every time you click on “I have agreed to terms and conditions”? Did you know at the mere click to accept, you could have given a way a portion of your vital information and put your data privacy in absolute jeopardy?
The 16 advocacy forums have been formed by the 120 rural monitors who have been trained by ToroDev since August, 2012 in online advocacy, monitoring service delivery using online social media/ICT tools like Ushahidi platform for online documentation, visualization and mapping. The Advocacy Forums also use FM Radio Broadcasting as an ICT tool for “convergence or hub” since it is the most accessed media channel in the rural areas of the Rwenzori Region. Continue Reading →
Local citizens have requested their leaders to first focus on priority service delivery to enable their electorates benefit from their leadership, “we need our leaders to first focus on key service delivery areas like roads, health and schools because in many of our areas like Buheesi [Buheesi Sub County is located in Kabarole District] service delivery is poor therefore our leaders haven’t performed to their expectations” Said Asaba Charles, a local citizen from Buheesi Sub County, Kabarole Ditrict while participating on the listeners forum live radio discussion on Better FM on Saturday, 11th January 2015.
For the past year, iHub Research has been conducting a study on the impact of ICTs on governance in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Specifically, we set out to assess how ICTs are facilitating interaction between governments and citizens in the areas of civic participation (transparency and accountability), access to information, monitoring government service delivery (health, water) and tracking corruption.
We set out to interact with government institutions, civil society organizations and citizens alike. In Kenya, we conducted the study in Nairobi and Nakuru. In Uganda, we visited Kampala, Apac and Lira. In Tanzania, Dar es Salaam and Mwanza.
For Preliminary findings from all locations, click HERE.
Key findings of particular interest from the three countries are:
Over sixty (60) local leaders, local citizens and media practitioners from the Rwenzori Sub Region participated in a reflection conference aimed at improving the convergence of appropriate ICT tools to improve accountability and service delivery especially on priority sectors like roads, schools, health and agriculture among others.
“The role of the District Information Officer is to Gather/collect, analyse, disseminate and store information on service delivery, Moblise public for participation in development programmes and activities and advise management on the need for media matters (e.g. ICT and communication needs.” Said John Thawite, the District Information Officer, Kasese.
BY VARYANNE SIKA.
The last week of August 2014 was an opportunity for the iHub Research team to explore the various ways in which ICT tools have/can successfully facilitate or hinder two way interaction between government and citizens towards effective public service delivery, curbing corruption, enhancing access to information and increasing transparency and accountability in Tanzania. The team visited Mwanza and Dar es Salaam to identify some of the innovative ICT initiatives that have facilitated the interaction between citizens and government as well as the (de)motivations for utilizing ICT tools among the various stakeholders (citizens, governments, civil society). While in Mwanza region we visited Magu district and Ilemela district.
READ ON THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS IN DAR-ES-SALAAM HERE.
BY VARYANNE SIKA.
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, rights/access to information, as well as 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.
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.
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.
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.