Add new comment

Last Friday, Uganda Comunications Commision recognised ICT Innovation in Uganda throught the ACIA Awards. Many applications were submitted to the comptition and six (6) of those that submitted their innovations were awarded handsomely. The competition featured five categories, each having a single winner. the winners of the awards are detailed below.

The Uganda Content Portal by Communication for Development Foundation of Uganda (CDFU) won the Digital Content Award. This project seeks to improve access to information to all but especially to children parents and teachers who have little access. The Uganda Content Portal seeks to do this by installing rugged computer centers in schools, community centers. Since the rural community may not afford to pay for internet, the portal has a platform where users can get access to important information without necessarily connecting to internet.

Community Knowledge Worker (CKW) initiative got the ICT for Development Award. This initiative by the Grameen Foundation uses the Mobile Phone platform to bring relevant and important agricultural information to farmers when they need it. This information includes tips on animal and crop care, disease control and market information.

The Business Excellence Award was scooped by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) with their Project, Go Smart. Project Go Smart is set of tools used by NSSF clients to access different services. NSSF introduced an SMS service, e-statement and toll free line. With these introductions, their customers do not have to move to the NSSF offices to access certain services, all they have to do is check their balances form their phones, get a full e-statement online or even call NSSF for free in case of any inquiries.

Secondary schools students from Jinja College called the JICO Geeks won the Young ICT Innovators award. These geeks were able to develop a School Grading system for their school. Teachers simply enter marks into the system and they get a computer generated report cards. This greatly reduces the work of teachers and also reduces the chance of human mistakes.

The Uganda Guide App won the Judge’s Choice Award. This app, which is accompanied by a website, has reliable information that can be harnessed by Tourists during their stay in the country. The application is the very first Ugandan tourism app that is both on the Android play store and the Apple Store.