[UgaBYTES] Members of Parliament discuss telecentres

[Senfuka Samuel]

Thank you Esther for extracting MPs contributions.

I think this was a great exchange of ideas particularly having telecentres
sustainable.
I would not also buy the UCC option of generators for the centres if there
are solar powerd computers as along as they are tested and proved
appropriate.

It may need heavy investment at the start but sustainable in the long run.
My organization (CEEWA-Uganda) works closely with some telecentres in
Uganda and indeed they have generators but from my experience they face
challenges (fuel, mechanical) to maintain them.
On top of that politicians and other "powerful persons" hire them out and
spend centuries out of the centres and managers never receive such money.
This does not only stall some services when power is off but also
demotivates centre managers.
There is no way they would take out solar panels if were installed instead
of buying more generators.

I argue UCC to involve the communities and also the management of these
centres when making such decisions. They should opt for affordable,
appropriate and sustainable options.

Thank you,

> Hi friends,
>
> There has been an interesting conversation among some Ugandan members of
> parliament about telecentres and alternative sources of power.
> My thinking is that with the policy makers discussing some of the issues
> that are pertinent to us, there might be some light at the end of the
> tunnel in regard to telecentres and alternative power sources.
>
> Read through these conversations and don't hesitate to share with us your
> ideas as well
>
> Cheers
> Esther
> 















































> Hon. Nsubuga Nsambu, the minister of state for ICT writes
> Greetings to you, Colleagues:
>
> I am following the discussions over the Telecenters, mainly thrown on the
> floor by our RCDF Manager at UCC. I become shocked to hear that there are
> plans to buy generators for the telecenters. For the last couple of
> months, I have been informing the public about the superb Solar/Battery
> PCs by Inveneo. (hopefully more companies will come up with such
> solutions) which is not only affordable (AT US $ 600) but also fast and
> reliable. I think with the availability of such PCs, we will have no more
> excuses why the rural people always lose out on access to these services
> because of lack of power!
> It also worries me when we think of generators which are not only
> expensive to buy but also expensive to maintain (in terms of diesel, oil
> and mechanics).
> I suggest that we opt for solar powered equipment, if we really mean it
> that we want to bring telecenters in the rural areas as well.
>
> Thank you very much for your consideration on this issue...
>
> Nsambu, MP
> State Minister for ICT
>
> Hon.Paula Turyamuhikayo (Rubabo county)
>
> Dear Hon.Minister,
> ICT and electricity are couples when we happen to be serious about
> promoting the establishment of telecenters in rural areas.
> In the recent workshop by UCC- on sector review, the executive director
> was asked the same question and the status quo was standing as per his
> response- the generators.
> I truly contend that if the proposed solar powered computers are tested,
> tried and trusted, they should be the best resort given the
> unsustainability of generators.
> We therefore need more analysis and study of the viable options with
> regard to sources of energy to power computers.
>
> Aluta continua!
> Hon.Paula
> MP,Rubabo county.
>
>
> Hon. Sematiko Gordon wrote
>
> Thank you Honourable Minister am totally behind you in the effort to avail
> solar powered systems but we should also ensure that the quality is
> manageable by our people. "Durability"
> Hon. Sematiko Gordon
>
> Source: WSIS mailinglist
>
>
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-- 
Senfuka Samuel
Program Officer
CEEWA-Uganda
P.O.Box 9063
Kampala-Uganda
Tel:+256-41-269507/477
Fax:+256-41-269469
Email:samuel.senfuka at ceewauganda.org
Website:www.ceewauganda.org