Nonprofit (Busota Kamuli): Uganda Rural Information and Communication

Write-up for Uganda Rural Information and Communication Technology/Education Center (URICT-Uganda)

How did we come to be?

Uganda Rural Information and Communication Technology/Education Center (URICT-Uganda) was founded in 2006 by two professional and developmentally oriented youths (Gabula Andrew Waiswa and Mukyala Victoria Namukasa). Initially, the organization was formed to assist the rural people and villagers get access to information, fight the digital age, advocate for their fundamental rights and improve their health and socio-economic status and lives using an integrated approach especially through Information and Communication Technology. Almost 6years down the road however, the organization is trying to win and work with a cross-section of individuals and organizations at different stages, gender, educational level, faith, ethnicity, settings and professions, who share its vision and mission, justifying a participatory refocus this time around.

URICT - UGANDA metamorphoses.

As URICT - UGANDA continues to grow, and due to changing needs of the various categories of interest groups with a bearing on the organization, like all growing and learning organizations, URICT - UGANDA is metamorphosing into an organization that serves a broad range of specific interests, with a focus on particular aspects as reflected in its new vision, mission, purpose, objectives and values (August 2011)

Vision.

Societal vision.

"A Uganda with informed and educated rural people/villagers accessing quality, adequate and equitable Information and Communication Technology services at the same time seeing that their rights as disadvantaged peopled are respected by state of Uganda"

Organizational vision.

"URICT - UGANDA with competent and adequate human resources; appropriate physical infrastructure and internal support systems, capable of delivering quality, adequate and equitable Information and Communication Technology services and advocate for the rights of the people it serves in Uganda"

Mission Statement.

"To contribute towards raising the level, Quality & Equity of Information and Communication Technology Services and advocate for the rights of rural people and villagers in Uganda through increasing access, advocacy, economic empowerment and working with other development actors"

Purpose.

To empower the rural people and villagers to access information, education, health services, embrace development, fight digit divide/gap and at the same time knowing their rig

Strategic Objectives

1. To provide friendly, indiscriminate Information and Communication Technology Services to the rural and Villagers in Uganda.

2. To provide information, Education and Communication (IEC) through appropriate media including seminars, workshops, conferences and recreational activities in regard to our mission and vision,

3. To support Women and Girls mobilization in pursuit for ICT & IEC while networking at same time sharing information as we fight the digital divide and gaps.

4. To promote economic empowerment of rural people through training in entrepreneurship, business and vocational skills.

5. To conduct action oriented research, dissemination publication and advocacy on issues pertinent to Health and Rights of our target groups.

6. To work in partnership where appropriate, with like minded organizations, institutions and individuals to attain our objectives.

7. To heighten out profile and mandate, strengthen out internal capacities, support systems and infrastructure that will enable us provide efficient and effective services for target groups.

8. Promotion of mobile ICT training centers.

9. Support rural children to access computer Education.

10. To promote sports and games among the rural people as we encourage embracing ICT in this new era.

11. To provide access to education and health using ICT.

12. Through ICT we shall work towards modern agriculture and farming.

Core Values.

§ Respect for human rights of every individual is key guide to our work.

§ Integrity is prime in our work.

§ Teamwork is the basis for all achievement.

§ Confidentiality at individual and organizational levels.

§ Humility and stability of mind.

§ To value our work and that of others

§ Respect for self and others.

§ Expedience is a matter of fact.

§ Being a good listener is the basis of an individual and organizational learning.

§ Efficient and effective in our work is key good results.

§ Non-discrimination on the basis of tribe, age and social status.

§ Trust in all our dealings internally and with others.

§ Transparency and Accountability at the core of all our transactions.

§ Equity and appropriateness for a just society.

§ Good health of the mind and body is what we strive for in every individual.

§ Good interpersonal relationships build strong people and institutions.

§ Adequacy in the delivery of services.

§ Self-determination is core to building empowered people

§ Education through entertainment stimulates learning and change.

Our focus.

URICT UGANDA maintains her focus on the promotion of ICT and rights as well as empowerment of our target group.

Our target.

URICT UGANDA primarily targets rural disadvantaged people with secondary involvement of youths, children, Local authorities, Elders and Opinion Leaders, faith based leaders, like-minded institutions, civil society, organizations, individuals and communities.

Our scope.

URICT UGANDA is mandated to operate nation wide but we will work piece-meal towards this.

What we do?

· Using ICT in training of youths Peer Educators in Peer Education and life.

· Using IEC in planning Skills in Girls Communities

· Facilitating the formation of rural Clubs among the disadvantaged people

Economic empowerment and support.
Micro-finance

· Follow-up, support, mentoring and guiding the Peer Educators

· Training volunteer Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in leadership and public speaking and SRH content with emphasis on HIV/AIDS.

· Community outreach sensitization and educational sessions by personal testimonies of Volunteer PLHA through "Going Public" with HIV/AIDS

· Sexual and Reproductive health educational talks and discussions for Women and Girls.

· Condom use education, promotion and distribution

· Drama, song and dance as enter-educational for both educational and recreation.

· SRH Video shows and discussions in Women and Girls Groups

· Massive SRH mobilization

· Advocacy for VCT.

· Counseling and guidance.

· Clinical diagnosis and treatment and referral of SRH and other complaints for further management.

· Sensitization sessions for men to promote male involvement in sexual and Reproductive Health for Women and Girls

· Training in entrepreneurship, business and vocational skills for women and young people.

· Radio programmes on women and girls' SRH.

· IEC materials development, production and publication.

· In-doors and out-door sports and games.

Current programmes.

Because of limited resources we have been involved in providing computers, books, and vocational training tools to the rural villager people in Kamuli district Eastern Uganda, counseling services for the Women and Girls, giving them condoms, and information on how to handle clients. We are also presently involved in establishing our selves and contacting people and organizations which will help us take off.

Organizational structure & management

URICT UGANDA has a 5 members Board of Directors headed by a chairperson, with the Executive Director as the secretary and non-voting member. Other members include: Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Publicity secretary and one young member. The day-to-day activities are run by a full time staff of 4 (3 female and 1 male), with a part- time community based team of 12 Women and Girls who carry out community mobilization and Counseling Assistance.

Our partners