[UgaBYTES] Rural Communication Development Policy-II 2009/14| Draftfor feedback

Thu Aug 6 07:59:58 GMT 2009

Dear all,

Thanks Sulah for sharing this, its indeed a leap forward for Uganda as a
country towards shaping this fast growing industry. Good policy is the
ultimate determinant of the success of ICT4D as well as EQUITABLE
information access to all. Apart from streamlining the sector it also
informs ICT investors in the diaspora.

Several issues that hindered telecentre operators for example in Kenya in
the past like sharing connectivity, use of VOIP, community radio frequency
and licensing regulation as well as cyber crimes among others have been well
addressed through the policy.

One challenge has been capturing in real time the ever changing and dynamic
ICT industry; who would have known a few years ago that mobile phones for
example would be used to send and receive money and if this wasn’t factored
in the policy how can it be addressed now that it here, issues of cyber
crimes and fraud are definitely addressed but not specifically on mobile
phones. It is therefore in order for policy makers to be flexible and effect
change when called upon to.

Attached are some documents that could give insight on the issue, I am sure
most of you have them or have come across them anyway.

This may also be relevant -
http://www.ictregulationtoolkit.org/en/PracticeNote.2643.html

Hope the attachements can go through the list as well.

Best Regards.
Cleopa.

2009/8/5 Meddie Mayanja <mmayanja at idrc.ca>

> Agree with Rita
>
> ...and thanks Sulah for pushing this up.
>
> This is one of the functions of networks - informing policy processes. In
> this case, its an important policy that would essentially impact
> telecentres. I know that this list has many people with expertise in this
> area or whose countries are already implementing specific policies.
>
> It would be highly appreciated anyone can provide feedback/comments. Sulah,
> you can break this up as you have already started and lead us in a focused
> discussion. That, would be great!
>
> Will share mine shortly.
>
> Best, Meddie
>
> ________________________________________
> From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org [
> ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Uganda Development
> Services [udsproj at infocom.co.ug]
> Sent: July 31, 2009 6:09 AM
> To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
> Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] Rural Communication Development Policy-II 2009/14|
>      Draftfor feedback
>
> Thanks Sulah for this summary.
>
> I had the oppotunity to attend this meeting but to reiterate, this is the
> opportunity for us to
> input into this document as the telecentre fraternity. This is the policy
> that directly impacts on us. I suggest we discuss the issues here on this
> list so that we give collective feedback and Ugabytes can help us
> synthesize
> and make a submission. We do not have much time so please act now do not
> postpone giving your contribution to another day.
>
> Rita
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ndaula Sulah" <ndaulasula at ugabytes.org>
> To: "ugabytes" <ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org>
> Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 12:16 PM
> Subject: [UgaBYTES] Rural Communication Development Policy-II 2009/14|
> Draftfor feedback
>
>
> > Dear Friends,
> >
> > Yesterday; In a public plenary workshop chaired by Dr. Dorothy Okello
> > (who is the new chair for RCDF) at Imperial Royal Hotel, Uganda
> > communication Commission called for stakeholders' open, free and fair
> > feedback into Uganda's ICT4RD policy driver for year 2009/14. The
> > panelists included Mr. Isaac Kasaana, Mr. Bob Lyazi - Fund manager,
> > Eng. Patrick Masambu - the Executive Director of UCC
> >
> > Although, the meeting was highly attended, by over 250 people -
> > feedback to the policy document is still open until Friday 14 August,
> > before the policy gets into action.
> >
> > The Rural communication Policy is the top most white paper that points
> > out and drives government thinking and investment priorities into the
> > stimulus Rural communication Development program, that is aimed at
> > ensuring equitably access and usage of ICT tools in under served parts
> > of Uganda. This policy in particular replaces RCDP-I, which guided ICT
> > investments in the year 2003/8.
> >
> > Highlights; The Draft policy highlights the following key issues
> >
> > #1. States investment priorities as; Coverage, Connectivity and Content
> > #2. Defines beneficiaries as underserved communities dues poverty or
> > isolation
> > #3. The focus of the vision and mission is on socio-economic development
> > #4. It allocates the US$ 17 million to 11 budgetary priorities
> > including, pay phones, Community Information Centres, IT facilities in
> > schools and for service delivery, Broadband infrastructure, regional
> > demo centres, content, postal services, ICT4RD research, admin. and
> > M&E.
> > #5. states eight criteria for selecting winning projects that will
> > benefit from the fund as private partner who will develop and manage
> > the facilities.
> >
> > For the full draft policy visit http://www.ucc.co.ug/index.php under
> > policies driving the sector <Draft Rural communication Policy
> > (2009-2014)>. For executive readers see pages 12 -25.
> >
> > Feedback issues...?
> >
> > #1. Do you see any missing things given todays issues in telecentre
> > movement?
> > #2. Do the policy actions reflect the gaps in RCDP-I, the three invest
> > priorities and current lessons?
> > #3. Is the budget fairly allocated, are all the keys issues budgeted for?
> > #4. Is the selection criteria for partners sufficient?
> > #5. Is the policy internally consistent to create the desired results?
> > #6. And whatever else you want to feedback..........
> >
> > You may choose to discuss the issue (s) here or give your feedback
> > directly to UCC using the following contacts; ucc at ucc.co.ug or
> > rcdf at ucc.co.ug or call +256414339000. But not latter than 14 August.
> >
> > Best regards,
> > ---
> > Sulah
> >
> >
> > --
> > Executive Director
> > UgaBYTES Initiative
> > Tel: +256414370163
> > Mob: +256712314969
> > Skype: sulah.ndaula
> > Yahoo: ndaulasula
> > Email: ndaulasula@
> > (ugabytes.org,yahoo.co.uk or gmail)
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > ugabytes mailing list
> > ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
> > http://lists.ugabytes.org/mailman/listinfo/ugabytes_lists.ugabytes.org
>
>
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-- 
Cleopa Timon Otieno
www.ugunja.org , www.kenyatelecentres.org
P.O.Box 330-40606, Ugunja
Cell: +254-720-950-220
skype: timonson1
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