Deputy RDC Kamwenge Applauds the Service Delivery Monitoring platform- HUDUMA

Kamwnge District Administration block

13^th November 2012 will be another memorable day in the “Enhancing Civic Competence for Social Accountability” project. With a bright morning in Kamwenge, by 9 Am different guests had started coming from different directions of the District to attend the launch of the District E-society Resource Centre at Kamwenge District Headquarters.

Deputy RDC cutting the tape at the E-Society Centre

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner Ms. Akello (D/RDC Kamwenge District) who was the chief guest thanked RIC-NET for the tremendous work that it was doing in the District.  
“I thank you for the work well done and am sure you should have done enough research for this project if it had questions they should have been few, thank you so much” she said amidst applauds from the gathering.

She thank RIC-NET / RWECO for introducing the e-society services such  as bulk sms, radio programs and  Huduma platform  that will simplify  her work of monitoring service delivery and mobilization of the community.  She pledged support from the office of the RDC in raising awareness about the service delivery platform (HUDUMA) whenever there are public meetings with the citizens during the regular community mobilization programmes.

Deputy RDC Kamwenge launching the District website

 “By this, I officially launch project in Kamwenge” she said, while opening the District website www.kamwenge.go.ug to the public.  later she officially open the District E-society Resource centre which has computers fully connected to the internet and the printing, scanning and photocopying services  by cutting the tape  together with the Deputy Chief Administrative officer amidst applauds from the guests.

The Deputy District Speaker of Kamwenge District in his remarks also commended the good work done in the District by RIC-NET and promised total support to all activities going on in the District by NGOs.

RIC-NET ED and DCAO signing the dedication letter

In his opening remarks the Deputy Chief Administrative officer welcome and thanked the partners for the good developments they were creating to the District.
 He thanked RIC-NET and RWECO for the good developments that the centre would serve to create more awareness and availability of information to the community.

In his presentation, the Executive Director RIC-NET explained a number of areas that the organization supports. RIC-NET supports rural farmers through the plant clinics that avail information and solutions on plant pests and diseases.  The District leaders were encouraged to embrace and take up the initiative.

Another area of support is designing and deployment of  ICT  based solutions that involves sms- web based Technology for social accountability and online platforms that promote voicing the voices of ordinary citizens. Web portal such as www.rwenzoripeoplesvoice.org  www.citizensvoice.ug , the Agriculture portal http://library.ricnet.co.ug  have been deployed. 

The Huduma platform will help in reporting and documenting issues about the state of service delivery and the bulk sms would give alerts to the entire community about key events and service delivery concerns within the District.

District officials and leaders of NGO at the luanch of Kamwenge e-society resource centre

The Executive Director informed the District leaders and people present that the E-society resource centre would be maintained by RIC-NET till December 31^st 2013 in terms of staff, internet subscriptions, trainings, website and E-library management. But, requested the District authorities to at least avail a bigger room that would also accommodate book shelves and reading space to those interested in reading offline material, newspapers, publication and Government policy documents.