2000年-世界发展银行全球_Uganda_-_Information_Technology_and_Rural_Development___The_Nakaseke_Multi-Purpose_Telecenter_4页_481kb

Uganda: Information Technology and Rural Development Summary

Core Content

The Nakaseke Multi-Purpose Telecenter is a rural development initiative located in Nakaseke sub-county, Uganda, 50 kilometers north of Kampala. It was established in 1997 and has played a significant role in bridging the information gap in a remote area where access to newspapers and other resources was limited until the Telecenter's introduction.

Nakaseke sub-county has a population of over 36,953, with 16,017 women. The community is largely oral, with a weak reading culture, and the Telecenter has been instrumental in promoting literacy and access to modern communication technologies.

Main Activities and Services

The Telecenter provides a range of services and activities aimed at improving the quality of life in the region:

• Computer applications training for the youth and other community members
• Internet, e-mail, telephone, and fax services for local business and communication
• Library and photocopying services, including access to international journals and books
• Open Learning Center for educational outreach
• Community listening and newspapers to keep the population informed
• Leisure and sports activities for young people
• Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Program, which collaborates with local farmers to document and share traditional practices

Target Groups

The Telecenter serves the entire community but focuses on the following core user groups:

• Women
• Youth
• Children
• Medical professionals
• Workers
• Teaching staff
• Farmers
• Local leaders

Programming and content are tailored to meet the specific needs and aspirations of these groups.

Implementation Strategy

Community participation is central to the Telecenter's success. A Local Steering Committee was established, composed of representatives from the core target groups, to:

• Supervise daily operations
• Liaise with the Management Committee
• Mobilize the community for participation
• Promote community ownership and sustainability through fundraising and engagement

Impact

The Telecenter has had a transformative effect on the local community:

• Enabled local business activities through internet and telephone services
• Provided employment opportunities for youth through computer training
• Improved agricultural practices with access to market prices and farming techniques
• Enhanced education, gender, and healthcare initiatives, including a Tele-Medicine Program linking local patients with medical professionals
• Fostered community engagement and awareness of the importance of information
• Encouraged sustainable development through local ownership and funding

Agricultural Project Utilizes Indigenous Knowledge

The Telecenter is part of a broader agricultural project aimed at:

• Increasing agricultural productivity and household incomes
• Supporting agricultural extension workers with ICT tools
• Linking research institutions with farmers to improve information flow
• Creating a forum for experimentation in using ICT for agricultural communication
• Documenting and disseminating indigenous knowledge related to farming practices

The project has integrated local knowledge into its structure, including a special library section for IK and photographic displays on traditional practices.

Lessons Learned

• Early community involvement in planning and implementation ensures broader acceptance and sustainability
• Localization of ICT applications, such as translating materials into Luganda, enhances understanding and engagement
• Local management by "sons and daughters of the soil" is crucial for effective communication and community trust
• Community ownership has been achieved through self-funding and lobbying for infrastructure improvements

Challenges Ahead

• The need for systematic documentation of indigenous knowledge
• Development of a framework for information dissemination and networking
• Additional programs to mainstream indigenous knowledge, such as community trade and business practices

The Telecenter has also initiated training for researchers in ethnographic methods and is working on data gathering and recording systems.

Conclusion

The Nakaseke Multi-Purpose Telecenter stands as a successful model for integrating information technology with rural development and indigenous knowledge in Uganda. It has demonstrated the potential of ICT to improve access to information, enhance community engagement, and support sustainable development in remote areas.