KOBOKO AND ARUA DISTICTS LEADERS SUPPORT CEFFORD CONTRIBUTION ON E-SOICETY.

ENHANCING CIVIC COMPETENCE TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN 25 DISTRICTS, IN FIVE REGIONS OF UGANDA” is an EU funded project and one of it’s components is the design of District websites and E-libraries where RIC-NET is mandated implement  on behalf  of CEW-IT.

    The core objective of these websites is to strengthen information sharing within the Districts and with partners outside the District The key roles of RIC-NET includes; Sensitizing and training District leaders and staff on use and value of websites;  Domain name registration and hosting fee payments;  Designing and building dynamic websites for Districts;  Designing and development of E-libraries for the Districts;  Integrating web 2.0 tools and other social media such as twitter, face book, youtube,d-group with district website;  Integrating website issues with Huduma and bulk Sms.

Interface meetings with District leaders

Two districts were selected for the first round of meetings and that was Koboko and Arua.

 Koboko District

The meeting took place on 9^th July 2012 at Koboko District headquarters in the Chairperson’s office. In attendance were:

S/N	Name	Title	Sex
01.	Hon. Nginya Hassan Said	District Chairperson	M
02.	Mr. Asenda Patrick	Assist. C.A.O	M
03.	Ms Adraa Gloria winnie	Dist. Information officer	F
04.	Hon.Mukili	Secretary Social services	M
05.	Hon. Innocent Paul	Deputy speaker	M
06.	Mr. Abele Emmanuel Moro	P.P.O	M
07.	Hon. Goro Grace	Vice C/person	F
08.	Mr.Albert	Prog.officer CEFORD	M
09.	Mr.M John Silco	Executive Director RIC-NET	M
10.	Mr. Okuti Richard	Partner RIC-NET	M
11.	Mr.Yosia Baluku	ICTO-RIC-NET	M

  The roundtable meeting discussed  the District website that was provided by UCC  which has not been active for a while and needs redesign and activating www.koboko.go.ug. The E-library as a component of the website and way of cooperation and sharing information and responsibilities during the implementation period. The training component that will ensure that the District Staff update the website and other components them selves was stressed as a sustainability aspect.

The  highlighted  challenges included the lack of ICT equipment  for the District Information officer; unreliable internet connectivity; inadequate technical knowledge, finances among others.

The District chairperson appreciated the CSO work and pledged   total cooperation  of District the leadership  to have this fulfilled in the quickest time possible.

Way forward

    A Draft  M.O.U shared was to be reviewed and signed between Koboko District and CEFORD. The District focal person to start collecting current information from departments so as work to become much easier and quicker as it starts. District information officer mandated to be the focal person for this project.  the Mockup  design and development of the online platforms commences immediately. The District  CAO  to write to UCC to get the administrative rights of District website and Domain name.

Arua District Local Government

The meeting was held between (2:30pm) of 9^th July 2012 in the Chief Administrative officer at the District headquarters. In attendance were:

S/N	Name	Title	sex
01.	Ms. Sarah O	Senior Assistant secretary-CAOs office	F
02.	Ms. Achan Stella	District population officer	F
03.	Hon. Achema Genesis	District speaker	M
04.	Ms. Megwe Jane	District information officer	F
05.	Ms Faridah	Project officer CEFORD	F
06.	Mr.John silco	ED RIC-NET	M
07.	Mr. Ayayo	Officer CEFORD	M
08.	Mr. Okuti Richard	Partner RIC-NET	M
09.	Mr. Yosia Baluku	ICTO-RIC-NET	M

The senior Assistant secretary from the CAO’s office

The  concept of the ICT component in this project “ENHANCING CIVIC COMPETENCE TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN 25 DISTRICTS, IN FIVE REGIONS OF UGANDA” was shared and components as  the re-design of the District websites and e-libraries. 

These online platforms would be support by training of the District focal staff in updating and use of the platforms.

  Feedback from the citizens was to be captured through the  www.citezensvoice.ug  a web based platform that use the  sms. The bulk sms platform to be added to support the District to send sms alerts and reminder to the public and District Staff.

The District officials  represented by the District Speaker appreciated and welcomed the project and pledged for maximum support and cooperation.

Way forward

Ø  An M.O.U is shared and more input be made by the District leadership and later signed between Arua District and CEFORD.

Ø  The District focal person for this project to be appointed by C.A.O and that the D.I.O  is by default part of the team.

Ø  The design and development of the online platforms commences immediately after the signing of the M.O.U

Ø  C.A.O writes to UCC to get more Administrative authhorities  on the previous District website.