Given the lack of countrywide data and landline network, this project aims to harness the only technology available for the majority of Ugandans and develop and roll out onto the market at least three SMS/ GPRS applications that respond to the information and communication needs of the rural and urban underserved communities.
Summary of project objectives:
- To develop, pilot and roll out applications (supported by SMS and GPRS) that transder the concepts of ICT for Developmetn and ICT for Poverty Reduction to practical reality for the rural communities in Uganda and elsewhere.
- To develop the necessary back-end linkage (data sources, and servers and linking to the telecom networks) that will be the source of the data.
- To address other development information dissemination needs within the Ugandan economy that can be best served using the cellular platform.
- To build capacity of students in the development of applications for human development and/or commercial exploitation; and consequently support the growth of the software industry in Uganda.
- To lead to a greater under insight into the process of effective technology transfer, with specific focus on ICT for Development, in countries like Uganda.
Results produced:
Since the kick-off meeting in April 2006 an incubator has been set up, student software developers have been recruited, the first application to be developed has been identified, and research into communication and information sharing needs is underway. Within the scope of the first application that has been identified to be developed, AmateGaitu Cooperative Ltd's (dairy farming cooperative) are collaborating with the Makerere incubator to develop an Integrated Agricultural Information Management System (AGRISERVE) to share information, induce trust in the industry and provide all stakeholders with necessary information. Mobile phones will provide last mile input of data and access to information, which will allow decisions to be based on current and accurate information. It is believed that this project will quickly help to increase quality through a quality assurance mechanism, access to information and the transparency that the new system provides.
The project partners have requested an extension of utilization of funding. SPIDER is currently awating a proposal for the extended period.
Partners:
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Blekinge Insitute of Technology, Sweden
De La Salle University, Philippines
Field of work:
Mobile platform technology
Project Duration:
April, 2006 - March, 2008
SPIDER is hosted by Stockholm University.
