USAID Sponsors Internet Project

By Frederick Wamala
The New Vision (Uganda), Thursday, November 27, 1997
Reprinted with permission

USAID has sponsored a project to strengthen electronic mail and internet usage in east and southern Africa to boost economic development.

The AfricaLink project is to be implemented by the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry in collaboration with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa.

Technical Coordinator Charles Musisi said in Kampala Tuesday over 40 individuals and institutions have over the last year been connected to email under the project. It targets stakeholders in agricultural research and natural resources management.

The project was officially launched Tuesday at a three day workshop on "Electronic Networking and Communications" and the Grand Imperial Hotel.

NARO Director General Prof. Joseph Mukiibi who officiated at the opening Africa was lagging behind on many fronts.

"We are trailing the developed countries by miles in biotechnology and informatics."

Mukiibi who explained how it was difficult and tedious for him to communicate with Namulonge Research Institute because of poor road and telephone network.

"We should start running now with a hope of catching up or else we are doomed," he warned.

The East Africa Help Desk (EAHD) of Afrilink has made provision for training of users. Uganda, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Madagascar, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo are covered by ASARECA. Afrilink is a continent wide project.

Musisi said the workshop is to discuss the problems faced on email and internet usage and come out with solutions.

He said the workshop will be spiced by demonstrations from Uganda's major Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

Uganda provides Infomail and Swift Global are represented. Other connectivity options such as Bushnet's services; Mukla's Fidonet system and Infomail's RadioMail service will be discussed.