KYENJOJO DISTRICT E-SOCIETY ROUND TABLE MEETING REAPS

RIC-NET in partnership with Rwenzori Consortium for civic competence (RWECO) conducted a round table meeting on the 20^th October 2011 at the district headquarters in the district council chambers.
This meeting was as a result of the discussion held in September 2011 with the CAO kyenjojo and the secretary for social services whereby RIC-NET introduced the idea of promoting partnership on effective information sharing between the District Local Government, CSOs and the citizens The meeting was a follow up on how effective information sharing can be promoted in the District,

Various participants attended to give their views including the District officials, CSOs representatives, Religious leaders, the media and representatives of the business community

During the meeting the Executive Director RIC-NET gave a detailed presentation on using the model of the E-Society in bridging the gap between the District Local government, CSOs and the entire community in terms of;

· Access to information

· Voicing the silence and

· Accountability

Mr Murugahara J.Silco the Executive Director mentioned the various online resources that would aid in availing timely and relevant information to the community like the District website, District news blog, E-Library, Dgroup (Discussion platform) and the CSOs portal.

Later a session of reactions chaired by Mr.Mwirima James the co-coordinator RWECO led to a number of issues where among others included;

It was appreciated that there was a starting point since some departments had computers and internet

Outlining a number of requirements that are needed to have the E-society in place

A draft Memorandum of understanding (MOU) to be shared among stake holders to discuss and have their inputs and later signed to enable commencement of the Electronic centre

Information flow and control managed by the District Information Officer (DIO) since the center is meant to strengthen his office and in this case avoiding information distortion since members expressed concern about information security.

Key stake holders to this noble cause were also outlined and their roles.

In her closing remarks the, District secretary for production Ms Tumuranze Grace appreciated the efforts of RIC-NET/RWECO in strengthening information sharing

She pledged to further the ideas to the District executive for discussion and also assured the meeting that she was ready to enroll for the computer classes as soon as this would be established.

She called upon the CSOs to join in this cause of establishing the E-society. She also pledged the support of the district in moving forward to the establishment of the E-society in the District.

The meeting was adjourned at around 1:45 PM.