[UgaBYTES] Political wrangles threaten telecentres

[Mwathi Francis]

KAMPALA - Sometimes, political and power problems have also disrupted
the smooth running of some telecentres and diverted attention away
from the vital task of mobilising community members to participate in
running these public utilities.
For instance, at the time of this study, the telecentre at Buwama had
been closed for at least a month during a wrangle over its management.
The controversy, as described by those involved and independent
residents, revealed tensions caused both by the community members and
the leadership's expectations for participation in the management of
the telecentre.
As Joseph Kenga, 41, a resident of Buwama said, "Political intrigue
could kill this telecentre. The whole community should come together
and ensure that the objectives of the telecentre are met."
Another resident, Ms. Mbabazi, agreed: "People bring politics into the
telecentre. That's why it keeps on closing down." According to the
sub-county chief, Mr Hussein Mukiibi, "the problems of the telecentre
are both political and technical.
There is too much political interference and he may not have a good
understanding of the responsibilities of the technical people."
In the opinion of Mrs. Annet Ssenabulya, the LC 3 speaker at Buwama,
the issues that led to the temporary closure of the telecentre were
"really trivial."
The problems came to a head when Mr Peter Mubiru, the LC 3 chairman,
recruited a new substantive manager without consulting the local
management committee or the sub- county executive committee.
"Many councillors who have approached me are not happy over the
matter," Mrs. Ssenabulya said.
But Mubiru dismissed the accusations, saying he had worked with the
technical committee. "Six people applied, and one was even my
relative, but the technical committee chose the best person," he said.
However, Mrs. Ssenabulya insisted that: "People who are elected
through the ballot can be a problem. We find ongoing projects, but
because we have the people's mandate, we want to do things our own
way.
That's part of the problem with the telecentre. Had it been autonomous
from the LC 3 leadership, there would be no problem, but now there is
a real risk that it will be run according to the whims of the LC
leadership."
Ms. Patricia Litho, the Acacia project officer who oversaw the Buwama
telecentre, conceded that politics and confusion over roles had
undermined the management of the telecentre. "We hope they will move
on well once we resolve the current problem," she said. "We don't want
the project to go to waste."
One could argue that these management problems symbolize the value
that influential people in the community attach to the telecentres.
If the passionate reactions of the local leaders and residents of
Buwama are anything to go by, the telecentre was a highly cherished
resource and virtual status symbol for the community.
With a split among local leaders in Buwama, it was no surprise that
there seemed to be a consensus among the leadership on both sides of
the disagreement that the telecentre had failed to live up to the
community's expectations.
"If we sort the problems out, the telecentre will help the whole
community," said Mrs. Ssenabulya. "The problem is with us leaders."

SOURCE: www.dip.go.ug



-- 
Assistant Technical Officer
UgaBYTES Initiatives
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