TRIP REPORT
AfricaLink and ICRAF in Uganda
August-September 1997

Jeffrey A. Cochrane, USAID/AfricaLink Advisor
October 21, 1997

The AfricaLink Advisor visited Uganda as part of an East Africa assessment exercise. The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate the effectiveness of the AfricaLink program in Uganda, and to discuss with implementing partners and targeted network members their suggestions for improvements.

The International Centre for Research on Agroforestry (ICRAF) has received $340,000 to date to facilitate networking in the region. Funds are to support agricultural research activities generally, broadly defined to include environmental and natural resource management networks. ICRAF was selected by USAID as the implementing institution in East Africa because of its extensive knowledge of key networks in the region, particularly those associated with the Association for the Strengthening of Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA).

Funds for AfricaLink/ICRAF are from the Productive Sector Growth and the Environment (PSGE) Division of USAID’s Sustainable Development (SD) Office. The Office is in the USAID Africa Bureau in Washington. Funds were delivered to ICRAF as part of their ongoing relationship with the USAID Global Bureau.

The ICRAF project manager, Mr. Michael Hailu, was asked to recommend sites in Uganda to be visited as part of the assessment. He was asked to identify a range of sites, from places where implementation has been quite positive, to problematic sites, along with sites at which could be discussed possible new activities. Mr. Hailu himself traveled to Uganda to participate in the assessment. Assistance was provided by Mrs. Esther Lwanga-Semakula of the Agricultural Research Information Service (ARIS) under the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO). Mrs. Lwanga-Semakula accompanied the team on their visits.

Namulonge, Thursday, September 27, 1997, 2:00pm

Dr. Teresa Sengooba Serere
Namulonge Research Centre
Namulonge, Uganda

Dr. Sengooba Serere and about a half dozen members of her staff welcomed a team of visitors comprising the AfricaLink Advisor from Washington, Michael Hailu from Nairobi, Esther Lwanga-Semakula from ARIS/NARO, plus three staff of USAID/Kampala: Greg Farino, David Mutazindwa, and Faisal Kasujja. Namulonge is about a 45 minute drive from central Kampala. Esther Lwanga-Semakula introduced the team and explained the purpose of the visit, which was to explore the possibility of resolving the communications difficulties faced by Namulonge. USAID/Kampala expressed keen interest in better communications with Namulonge to enhance its partnership with staff there in a variety of programs.

Namulonge has had access to the basic telephone network in Uganda via a microwave radio link. That service has had a variety of technical faults, although it did appear to be operational the day of the visit. Dr. Sengooba Serere explained that rainfall often impaired the system's operations. Faxes could at times be received but had never successfully been sent. There seemed to be no reliable source of technical support The obvious solution was to have a telephone land wire installed. This would likely not be in the near future, since the telecommunications authority had determined that demand in the area of Namulonge did not warrant supplying such an expensive line.

A wireless high-frequency email system with reliable technical support was proposed as an interim solution. Technically this was not the ideal solution, since presumably a more reliable microwave telephone system or higher capacity VHF radio email system would be more appropriate. In the Namulonge case, however, the central problem with any solution is technical support. No technical solution without adequate technical support was deemed feasible. In Uganda, quite sophisticated and high quality technical support is presently available for HF radio email systems.

There were two leading options available for HF radio service at Namulonge, and these were explained to Dr. Sengooba Serere's staff. The World Food Program was willing to offer the use of its Internet link and HF radio gateway at no charge for organizations sponsored by USAID on a pilot basis. WFP's reason for offering this service was because USAID had paid for much of the equipment now in use by WFP for its humanitarian programs in the region. The alternative to WFP was a quite expensive private commercial service operated by Bushnet. It was explained that a small volume of email via the Bushnet system might easily cost $40 per day, given their posted volume charges of $0.30 per kilobyte.

Dr. Sengooba Serere's staff expressed the unequivocal view that Bushnet charges could not possibly be afforded. As evidence, they pointed to the fact that the Centre had recently had to discontinue the use of its cellular phone because of high charges. Surely the WFP option was the only feasible way to proceed. The team departed, agreeing to write up a brief memorandum explaining the Centre's options. Dr. Sengooba Serere agreed that Mrs. Lwanga-Semakula would represent Namulonge in the next day's discussions with wireless vendors. AfricaLink was willing to provide whatever investment capital was required to purchase equipment, but the Centre would have to agree to pay the running costs.

Local Wireless Internet Providers

Meetings were held with staff of both Bushnet and the WFP. The controversial issue had to do with the subsidized nature of the service offered by the WFP, and the perception by Bushnet that US government funds were to be used to interfere with their private, competitive, commercial operations.

Staff of USAID in both Washington and Kampala considered the concerns of Bushnet carefully. USAID has a Policy Directive established at the Agency level instructing all staff not to engage in activities in the telecommunications sector that "circumvent competitive markets, create trade distortions, or crowd out (replace) private sector financing..." (USAID PD 22 Chapter 215)

It was decided in internal USAID discussions in Washington that there was in this case no internal USAID impediment to proceeding with a project to take advantage of WFP services to support communications for agricultural researchers at Namulonge. However, it was also decided in conversations in Kampala that it would be most prudent for technical reasons to work with Bushnet.

The Uganda wireless telecommunications market is prima facie not competitive. There was at the time of the visit only one commercial service, whereas it is customary to seek three bids in competitive markets. Prices charged by Bushnet were, by their own admission, based on competition with fax services, not other wireless services. Such non-cost based pricing is indicative of a non-competitive market, since in a competitive market prices will approach costs. Finally, where there is great uncertainty about how to proceed, it is appropriate to experiment. USAID/Kampala was proposing to use Bushnet services to provide wireless email to several cooperative banks. It seemed appropriate to undertake a complementary project to provide wireless email to the researchers in Namulonge using WFP's services, for comparison purposes.

These reasons were all explained carefully to staff of Bushnet. Bushnet seemed reassured that it was not the intention of USAID to circumvent or otherwise damage their efforts to provide efficient and cost-effective wireless solutions in Uganda and regionally. Discussions turned to ways Bushnet could provide an affordable solution for Namulonge. Bushnet pledged to find such a solution, and to continue negotiations with Esther Lwanga-Semakula as the designated representative for Namulonge.

In specific terms, Bushnet offered a number of possibilities. These included developing a software solution that limited incoming mail to messages below a certain size. Larger incoming mail would automatically be routed to a Kampala server, with notification to Namulonge. Another solution was a willingness to work with Namulonge staff to develop effective mail filters, to assure that only mail from desired correspondents passed through the Bushnet system for billing. Other mail would be routed to Kampala.

Mrs. Lwanga's primary concern, however, was that of technical support. Staff of Namulonge were quite frustrated with technical solutions that have failed in the past. Technical support was key, and Bushnet offered to provide it. In particular, Bushnet offered to support the entire network of NARO research Centres in Uganda, even in some cases where equipment was not purchased from Bushnet. In the case of Namulonge, Bushnet proposed to intervene with equipment vendors and the national telecoms service to make operational the microwave telephone system, which would be a much better solution for Namulonge than an HF radio email system. Bushnet suggested that the Namulonge PBX could be made operational again for as little as $300 in additional equipment purchases, and if desired it could be significantly enhanced with a second telephone circuit for about $6500.

AfricaLink in turn offered to transfer its support for HF radio equipment from Namulonge to another NARO research Centre of Mrs. Lwanga Semakula's choosing. She suggested the center near Tororo on the Uganda border with Kenya. She promised to contact Tororo and report back to AfricaLink with funding requirements. Mrs. Lwanga-Semakula and the staff of Bushnet pledged to continue negotiations and work out final details. These are to be reported back to AfricaLink in the near future. In addition to equipment purchases totalling perhaps $8000, it will likely be necessary to pay expenses for a Bushnet technician for two days during the installation, totalling perhaps $500.

Further consultations were held with staff of the WFP, specifically with Peter Casier. He expressed concurrence in the decision that was reached, and pledged WFP's continued support for AfricaLink activities in the region. Discussions turned in particular to possible support from the WFP in areas where commercial wireless service may not be possible for legal or security reasons, including the former Zaire.

Kawanda, Friday, September 26, 1997, 10:00am

Esther Lwanga-Semakula
Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute of NARO
Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS)
Kawanda, Uganda

A meeting was held with Mrs. Lwanga-Semakula and her staff at ARIS in Kawanda, about a half hour's drive from Kampala. ARIS supports a small computer lab with a half dozen computers, adjacent to a library containing journals and texts pertinent to agricultural research. Typically, a researcher will request a literature search that is undertaken from standard CD-ROM reference disks. This generally produces an abstract. If the researcher wants the full text, electronic mail requests are sent to the publisher or to partner repository libraries. The desired articles are photocopied and sent to Uganda via airmail, taking about two weeks to a month.

Staff indicated their service could be significantly enhanced if they had the capacity to receive requested documents electronically from international sources. There is apparently an international system among libraries for this purpose, which will require a scanner and special compatible software.

Discussion turned to options for further development of information services using the Internet from ARIS. One proposal was to bring together reference librarians in the region to discuss tools and methods for effective Internet utilization. Another was to have staff build a list of key web site addresses for regular consultation. ISNAR is providing web hosting services where the work of ARIS can be displayed and information about the projects undertaken by NARO in Uganda can be posted -- see http://www.cgiar.org/isnar/hosted/NARO/naro.htm. In the discussion it was proposed that staff post their research papers on the ISNAR site. While staff may be hesitant to post full texts of their papers, fearing copyright infringement and difficulty in later publication, it was agreed that abstracts could easily be displayed on the web site.

ICRAF/AfricaLink is providing a new computer for dedicated Internet use at ARIS, having selected ARIS as a key resource Centre for the region. The idea is to enhance the services available at such key Centres, to serve as reference points for others. Mrs. Lwanga-Semakula and staff requested further assistance in the form of training in how to use these new tools most effectively.

Kawanda, Friday, September 26, 1997, 11:00am

Max Alfred Anyuru
Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute of NARO
Ministry of Planning and Economic Development
National Execution Unit
Project: Improvement in the Food Crop Post Harvest Systems at the Farmers Level
Tel 256-61-567708
PO Box 1131
Kawanda, Uganda

Mr. Anyuru explained that a modem had been supplied by Starcom, one of several major Internet service providers in Uganda, with funding by ICRAF/AfricaLink, but that it failed to operate properly. Despite a surge protector, a fluctuation in the power supply apparently damaged it. The lights in the office dimmed and brightened noticeably several times during the interview. With his own project funds, a second modem was purchased, which is now operational and used for connections with Starcom.

With 10 staff on site, there are some 15 to 20 email messages received per day, and five or six outgoing. Prior to installation of the email system in the project office, the ARIS system next door had been used, along with fax. Costs have dramatically reduced. Email service is but $30 per month, easily affordable by the project. Mr. Anyuru has heard about Web browsing, but has never seen a demonstration, despite the fact that the ARIS system is operational in the next building.

Friday, September 26, 1997, 11:30am

Dr. Tushemerirwe Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute of NARO
Banana Research Project
Kawanda, Uganda

The 19 scientists of this project are active email users, and have no problems with the system served by Infomail, another of the major Internet service providers in Kampala. ICRAF/AfricaLink funds were used to install a separate, Starcom system, but the modem provided by Starcom (a Dynalinks modem) failed to operate properly. ICRAF is to investigate to see if it is paying for the project's Starcom account, and if so to have it discontinued.

Some 20 messages in and out each day are handled by the email system. A secretary receives messages from staff on diskette and uploads them to the Internet. Secretaries report no difficulty in handling word processing and other file attachments. Incoming messages are printed and distributed to recipients. The volume of email handled daily is overloading the computer on which it is housed, which handles both email and routine office functions. A dedicated computer for email is required to separate the two functions.

Typical correspondence is for scientific collaboration, to communicate with Ugandan students sent abroad for studies, and to correspond with key partners like the IITA and CIAT. Scientists participate in a number of regional networks, including BARNESA for banana research, the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA), and the African Highlands Initiative (AHI). There is little correspondence nationally. It is easier to send messages to senior staff in Entebbe by vehicle, given the problems Entebbe has with its own email system.

Dr. Tushemerirwe explained that the email service enables new forms of relationships with colleagues abroad. For example, a document can be sent to a colleague in Europe, marked up with comments, and returned electronically in a very short period. This was simply not possible before email.

Dr. Tushemerirwe asked if it were possible to get journal articles via email. He seemed not to know about the ARIS service available in the next building.

Kawanda, Friday, September 26, 1997, 12:00 noon

Roger Kirkby
Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute of NARO
Eastern and Central Africa Bean Research Network
Pan Africa Coordinator
International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
PO Box 6247
Kampala, Uganda
Email ciat-africa@cgnet.com
Tel 256-41-567670
Fax 256-41-567635

Dr. Kirkby was joined by Dr. Puindji Mukishi for this interview. Their network is one of the networks of ASARECA. Funds for this particular network are managed by CIAT. Dr. Kirkby has supplied to ICRAF/AfricaLink its list of network members in the region, and monitors their connectivity for the purposes of project communications. He noted that there are only a few sites remaining on their initial list that still require connectivity assistance.

Communications are difficult in some places in their network. A system called "sneakernet" is used at times, in which messages are placed on diskette and transported to nearby towns (by persons wearing sneakers) for uploading to the Internet.

Prior to email, communications were slow. Network members often simply missed out on invitations to workshops or other major events. Email has enhanced their ability to participate.

The network of bean researchers is based on the premise that one person in each country coordinates a national program. The premise is often false, since often the selected coordinator is for technological or other reasons unable to perform coordination functions effectively. It would be useful if Internet access were extended to the national level, in addition to AfricaLink's work of linking regional network members.

Dr. Kirkby acknowledged that there might be problems with enhancing communications nationally. A networking "culture" would have to be established along with the technology.

Dr. Kirkby expressed gratitude for the assistance provided under ICRAF/AfricaLink, observing that staff still speak highly of the recent training visit of Charles Musisi, staff of the AfricaLink Help Desk. He requested that the program consider providing computers for dedicated Internet access, particularly in cases where more than one project is to be served by an email system.

Kawanda, Friday, September 26, 1997, 11:30am

M. Silim Nahdy
Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute of NARO
Director of Research
PO Box 7065
Kampala, Uganda
Email karidir@starcom.co.ug
Tel 256-41-567507
Fax 256-41-567649

The team met with Dr. Hahdy and several members of staff. The AfricaLink Advisor joined the meeting late, having delayed with Dr. Kirkby to record an interview on tape. Dr. Hahdy observed that the InfoMail system seemed more reliable than the Starcom system. Having heard this remark at several of the morning's interviews, Michael Hailu offered the observation that in the future funding would be provided in such a way that each research station could make its own choice about Internet providers.

Dr. Hahdy expressed appreciation for the ability to community via email with places where communication was simply impossible before. He shared an anecdote about communication with Niamey where he attempted for three weeks to send a fax. Finally in frustration, the document was faxed to the United States and then faxed back to Niamey.

A member of staff asked if assistance could be provided for a local area network for all the various Kawanda projects and offices. Others suggested that the redundancy of independent email connections, all separately funded, was helpful. When one system has problems, staff can walk next door to borrow another's.

Analysis and Conclusions

The visit to Uganda was part of a regional assessment tour. General analyses and conclusions are contained in a separate synthesis report.