National ICT Research Capacity and Priorities for Cooperation
The list below provides an overview of universities and research centres in Uganda that are undertaking ICT-related initiatives:
Research Areas include: Research into the use of e-governance, e-inclusion and people's freedoms. The place of ICT in attaining equitable power decisions among the populace etc; Research on use of ICT in health support and provision among minority groups such as youths, elderly etc; Development of local information resources' repositories, to leverage the current foreign provided resources, that users are unable to access and Development of learning environments for primary, secondary and college students; harnessing cultural and indigenous resources for local solutions.
- Kampala International University
- Makerere University, Faculty of ICT
- Makerere University, Business School
Research Areas include: Research into ICT solutions for governance and policy modelling addressing ICT tools for trusted governance and policy impact analysis. This research should help deal with future scenarios involving even greater complexity and citizens' involvement, in particular addressing the needs of the younger generation. We have prepared a proposal for funding on "Use of mobile phones and community policing to promote road safety through behavior and attitude change".
- East African School of Library and Information Science, Makerere University
- Mbarara University of Science & Technology
- The Inter-University Council for East Africa
Research Areas include: The Effect of Introducing Audiovisual Learning Materials on Distance Learning Students' Performance and its Cost Implications for Uganda Martyrs University. Research carried by the Center for Distance Learning Studies staff May 2009-May 2010
Research Priorities in relation to FP7-ICT Call 10
| Challenge | Objective | Institutions involved in R&D activities under the objective |
| Challenge 1: Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service Infrastructure | ICT 2013.1.2 Software Engineering Services and Cloud Computing | School of Engineering Makerere University, School of computing Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Log'el' Project, Busitema University |
| Challenge 1 | ICT 2013.1.4 Trustworthy ICT | School of Computing Makerere University, Uganda Communication Commission, Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology |
| Challenge 1 | ICT 2013.1.7 Future Internet Research Experimentation | School of Computing Makerere University, Uganda Communication Commission, Kampala International University |
| Challenge 2: Cognitive systems, interaction, robotics | ICT 2013.2.2 Robotics, Cognitive Systems and smart spaces, Symbiotic Interaction | School Of Engineering Makerere University iLabs@Mak project, Bugema University |
| Challenge 4: Technologies for Digital Content and Language | ICT 2013.4.1 Content analytics and language technologies | RENU research and education network for Uganda, School of Computing Makerere University |
| Challenge 8: ICT for Creativity and Learning | ICT 2013.8.1 Technologies and scientific foundations in the field of creativity | iLabs@Mak project, College of computing and Information Science, GRAMEEN Foundation, Software Innovation and business Incubation MUK |
Research Priorities in relation to FP7 ICT Call 11
| Challenge | Objectives | Institutions involved in R&D activities under the objective |
| Challenge 1: Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service Infrastructures | ICT 2013.1.1 Future Networks | Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Bugema University, Uganda Communication Commission Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Bugema University, Uganda Communication Commission
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| Challenge 4: Technologies for Digital Content and Languages | ICT 2013.4.4 Scalable data analytics | Makerere University, RENU research and education network for Uganda, Kyambogo University, Uganda Christian University Mukono |
| Challenge 6: ICT for a Low Carbon Economy | ICT 2013.6.3 ICT for water resources management | Department of Civil Engineering Makerere University, Institute of Environmental and Natural Resources, Makerere University |
| Challenge 8: ICT for Creativity and Learning | ICT 2013.8.2 Technology-Enhanced Learning | Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Bugema University, Uganda martyrs University, Nkumba University, Kampala International University, Victoria University Uganda |
National Research Priorities
Seven main national research priorities for ICT development in Uganda have been identified: ICTs and Governance; ICTs and Citizen Empowerment; ICTs to support human rights protection, peace and conflict resolution; eHealth; eEducation; Rural Access to ICT.
ICTs and Governance
Prior to Liberalization of telecommunications services in Uganda, public access to Executive, legislature and government officials was rather difficult, and in some cases impossible. However, there is now progressively more access to the executive, the judiciary and parliamentarians, and important structures in government, due to ICTs. This may involve development of e-government open source software applications.
ICTs and Citizen Empowerment
ICTs have the potential to rapidly build capacity through intensive sharing of information at all levels, and prompting action where necessary.
ICTs and Human Rights protection, peace and conflict resolution
ICTs can be extensively used to enhance citizens' awareness of their human rights.
ICTs and Health
Health related threats such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis are affecting the development of Uganda. However, proper information on treatments and better disease management can help prevent these diseases and offer better patient care. Timely, accurate, and relevant information is essential for an efficient and effective health system. ICTs can help collect community health information, support doctors and nurses in their daily work; enhance health administration and the distribution of medical supplies.
ICTs and Education
The Government approved the ICT-based Curriculum materials in Mathematics and Geography for primary schools and Mathematics and Science for secondary schools. The significance of government approval is that the curriculum developed could be used by all schools in Uganda immediately, provided they had IT access and could go through the formal examination process of the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB).
Rural access to ICTs
TELECENTRES: Mainstreaming of ICT in agricultural information dissemination
The Acacia supported Electronic Delivery of Agricultural Information to Rural Communities project was developed in recognition of the need to make agricultural research information accessible to end users (notably farmers and extension agents) and in response to the Government of Uganda's call to improve agricultural productivity. The project developed local content in a local language - Luganda - as well as English, through the acquisition and packaging of useful agricultural information, generated at the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and other institutions. The project also captured and digitized significant and relevant indigenous knowledge. This content was then disseminated to rural communities through three existing IDRC-funded telecentres (Nakaseke, Buwama and Nabweru). Various electronic delivery options were used including both traditional and modern ICTs, notably radio, television, video, print media, CD-ROM, email and a website.
National research priorities currently not covered under FP7-ICT
The following research areas that are important from a national perspective are not currently covered under FP7-ICT:
- Special ICT facilities for the disabled
- A survey of the existing ICT human resource capacity
- Integration of radio and other ICTs for rural development
- Gender and ICT
- Health information dissemination mechanisms
- Mainstreaming of ICT in agricultural information dissemination
- Establishment of investment, trade and tourism information services in local Governments
- Monitoring and Evaluation of ICT projects
- Perceptions of information systems projects
ICT issues currently being considered as research priorities also include the following issues:
- E-governance can only be implemented effectively if the right human resource, software and systems are in place and the citizens are ICT literate and sensitized.
- Research is required in relation to appropriate technology (software) that is free or affordable, ICTs for the marginalized groups such as the disabled, the illiterate, and ICTs for rural transformation.
- Research is required in relation to how ICTs can effectively transform the agricultural sector in Uganda and increase household income.
- This will involve implementation of large-scale projects, which calls for research in areas such as perceptions/ failures of information system projects to minimize project failures.
- There is also need to undertake research on how ICTs can improve health service delivery especially among the poor.
