Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Gulu (Agenzia Fides) – “We want to promote the use of new technologies to help development in our diocese,” Fides was told by Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu (North Uganda), who has promoted the Gulu-based Catholic Information Communication and Technology organization, an initiative for creating telephone and Internet connection in the area.
Catholic Information Communication and Technology has also recently won the 2010 Breaking Borders award. The award honors groups or individuals who demonstrate courage, energy and resourcefulness in using the Internet to promote freedom of expression.
The award, valued at Shs20 million ($10,000) recognises the excellent work of Battery Operated Systems for Community Outreach (BOSCO Uganda) in the promotion of online free expression for poor communities in the technology category in Northern Uganda. The award was personally received by Archbishop Odama in Santiago, Chile.
“We started this project in 2005 and in 2007, we were ready to provide this service to our communities,” said Archbishop Odama. "The real problem is not lack of Internet or phone, which with new wireless technologies can be resolved. The main problem is how to provide energy to power these systems. BOSCO Uganda aims to provide energy to villages to operate communications networks, which primarily benefit schools, health centers, and hospitals. Our desire is to extend the initiative to other districts of the Archdiocese and potentially throughout northern Uganda."
BOSCO Uganda provides high-speed wireless Internet to 22 different sites in the post-conflict Amuru and Gulu districts. The sites include schools, non-governmental organizations, government offices and rural information and communications technology centers.
The Executive Director of BOSCO Uganda, Fr. Joseph Okumu, said their use of an innovative mix of technology – solar and low-powered computer is helping break the silence in a region which has suffered over two decades of war. He also said that the program will soon include several areas of South Sudan.
Until recently, Gulu was known for the war waged by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), whose members have now gone into neighboring countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and even Central Africa), where they spread death and destruction.
"Now in Gulu, peace has returned and this is why we were able to initiate these development projects," said Archbishop Odama. "We are, however, concerned about the people who are victims of the LRA. It's not fair that they pay for our mistakes. I appeal to everyone to find a solution to the problem," concludes the Archbishop of Gulu. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/05/2010)
