IDPs get Internet access
Apr 03, 2007
INTERNALLY displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Uganda can now communicate directly with the outside world on the Internet from their camps.
By Dennis Ojwee
INTERNALLY displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Uganda can now communicate directly with the outside world on the Internet from their camps.
The state minister for Information and Communication Technology, John Alintuma Nsambu, launched the battery- operated systems for a community outreach project at Gulu Archdiocese Catechists training centre on Friday.
Nsambu urged the area MPs to support the programme and help the locals to understand how to benefit from the project.
“This is a good plan, for our needy people to talk directly with the outside world about their real problems instead of passing through the Government or non-governmental organisations. Let us encourage this innovation if it empowers our people.â€
Nsambu noted that the big challenge was how to educate the IDPs on how to use the computers and browse the Internet.
The project was sponsored by Inveneo Inc. based in the United States of America.
The Inveneo chief executive officer, Mark Summer, said the computer is suitable for rural areas since it runs on an electrically re-chargeable battery. The project cost about $600,000 (about sh1b).
The Gulu Catholic Archbishop, John Baptist Odama, said they needed such computers to enable them present their problems to the world.
“Our people have been cut off from the outside world because of absence of communication facilities like the Internet. Many do not know a computer and the Internet. The task is to train them on how to use them.â€
INTERNALLY displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Uganda can now communicate directly with the outside world on the Internet from their camps.
The state minister for Information and Communication Technology, John Alintuma Nsambu, launched the battery- operated systems for a community outreach project at Gulu Archdiocese Catechists training centre on Friday.
Nsambu urged the area MPs to support the programme and help the locals to understand how to benefit from the project.
“This is a good plan, for our needy people to talk directly with the outside world about their real problems instead of passing through the Government or non-governmental organisations. Let us encourage this innovation if it empowers our people.â€
Nsambu noted that the big challenge was how to educate the IDPs on how to use the computers and browse the Internet.
The project was sponsored by Inveneo Inc. based in the United States of America.
The Inveneo chief executive officer, Mark Summer, said the computer is suitable for rural areas since it runs on an electrically re-chargeable battery. The project cost about $600,000 (about sh1b).
The Gulu Catholic Archbishop, John Baptist Odama, said they needed such computers to enable them present their problems to the world.
“Our people have been cut off from the outside world because of absence of communication facilities like the Internet. Many do not know a computer and the Internet. The task is to train them on how to use them.â€