Back ground:
The East African Countries are undergoing national elections: the referendum on the new constitution in Kenya in August 2010, General elections in Rwanda in August 2010, General Elections in Tanzania in October 2010, Elections in Burundi in phases from May – September 2010, General elections in Uganda in 2011 and Kenya in 2012. In response, the civic society in these countries is playing an active role in influencing the electoral process through conducting civic and voter education and carrying out a watch – dog role over the polling process. Given the advancement in technology, these civic organizations are increasingly using a mix of both traditional observation and modern web based tools (in particular as developed by Ushahidi) to document and report about the electoral process in these countries. This is being done in partnership with the development partners.
In this spirit Hivos organized a round table discussion in Nairobi in March 2010 that brought together HIVOS partners and other interested parties to map out common interests and concerns; outline possible interventions and strategies; and formulate roadmaps through which each stakeholder could engage in the elections processes.
Of particular importance to the Workshop was appropriate and innovative ways of using ICTs as tools for effective monitoring and management of the elections processes. Our Kenyan colleagues immediately demonstrated the power of this approach. Please see www.uchaguzi.co.ke to get an impression.
As a follow up to the Nairobi workshop another one is being organized in Kampala on 4th and 5th October 2010 at Sports View Hotel, Kireka.http://www.sportsviewhoteluganda.com/ The Kampala workshop will mainly focus on how different stakeholders can coordinate efforts in conducting civic and voter education and observing the elections using modern ICT. This will be with a specific focus on the Uganda 2011 General Elections.
As a precursor to this workshop Hivos and Oxfam Novib partners in Uganda have been consulting different stakeholders in the electoral process in Uganda last week. This consultation was in one way aimed at mapping out stakeholders and what they are doing in preparation for the elections. This is expected to be concretized at the Kampala workshop where clarity on who is doing what and where will be reached.
Participants for the Kampala workshop have been identified from civil society organizations in East Africa, the donor community in Uganda and beyond and the media. Specific focus has been given to organizations and institutions with expertise in applying ICT in the electoral process. A full list of proposed participants is attached.
The detailed programme of the workshop will follow later on.
Participants from outside Kampala will be accommodated at the Sports View Hotel Kireka. Those from with Kampala will be expected to commute to the hotel on each day. All participants are expected to arrange their own transport to the hotel.
Participants from outside Uganda will be expected to arrive at the hotel on the evening of Sunday 3rd October and check out in the evening of Tuesday 5th or morning of Wednesday 6th October 2010 depending on the flight schedule. Reimbursement of the travel costs including air tickets (economy class) and transfers to and from the airport will be made upon presentation of receipts/invoices.
For further details contact:
• Mr. John Silco on +256701607149 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +256701607149 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +256701607149 end_of_the_skype_highlighting OR +256772607149
• Mr. James Mwirima on +256772986345 OR +256702986345 OR +256753986345
Please confirm your participation to:
1. mjohnsilco@gmail.com M John Silco
2. cew.ituganda2011@gmail.com Workshop administrator
Map of Sport view Hotel Kireka: http://www.maplandia.com/uganda/kampala/kampala-city-council/kireka/
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