[UgaBYTES] The 5th EATLF erects tall order for TLF hosts

[Betty Iyamuremye]

The success of the 5th East Africa Telecentre Leaders Forum has become a
milestone in the history of TLFs in the region.

For us starters in the telecentre movement, the vigour with which Ahmed
Mouhmood Mohammed Eisa was working to make this forum a success has left
us astonished.

He first of all worked tirelessly to see to it that all participants made
it for the forum from different regions, as we are all aware of the delays
in visa and ticket processions for some participants.

On arrival, Ahmed Eisa virtually received all the participants in person,
which made visa acquisition at the airport easier than it would have been
if it was done at an individual level.

As if that was not good enough, we were all availed sim packs, fully
loaded with airtime. At first, the cards did not seem useful and actually
some participants had been reluctant to connect them.

However, when rumour circulated that there had been a plane crash at
Khartoum International Airport on the second day of the forum, 9 June,
most of us were seen struggling to load more talk time on our phones to
inform family members back home how well and safe we were.

In addition, the conference hall, the hotel, meals and hospitable Sudanese
people made us appear very important and loved.

Sudan is so hot but participants will agree with me that drinking water,
air conditioned rooms and a lounge made a difference.

If one asked me the reason to why I think the former agricultural
minister, Ahmed Eisa staged the most successful EATLF ever, my answers
would be first, his drive and hate for mediocrity.

Secondly, the ability to involve government in the Gedaref Digital City
Organisation activities has boosted the organisation financially. It is no
wonder that Sudan will start the first national telecentre academy in
Africa.

This implies that the next EATLF host, which is Rwanda, has a tall order
to keep the pace that Sudan has set.