The session focused on two community networks: BOSCO Uganda located in Northern Uganda and PAMOJA Net in Eastern DRC. They showcased their respective and practical approach to connecting the unconnected.
During the webinar, the two community networks presented a series of short videos to expose participants to their respective:
- The governance structures,
- The business models, and
- The technical operations of these community networks.
This interactive session provided deep insights into the day to day operations of Bosco Uganda and PAMOJA Net.
About BOSCO Uganda
Battery Operated System for Community Outreach (BOSCO) Uganda is a not-for-profit organisation under the trusteeship of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu founded in 2007. Its mission is to provide innovative information and communication technology (ICT) solutions using a collaborative and web-based approach to foster socioeconomic development and peace building in rural communities in northern Uganda. BOSCO supports 48 ICT and Development Centres with over 60,000 beneficiaries in the Northern and West Nile regions in Uganda. It was awarded the 2010 Breaking Borders Award in Technology from Google and Global Voices, and the Rural E-Services Award from the Uganda Communications Commission in 2012.BOSCO operates over 30 solar-powered ICT labs, and five larger microgrids, two of which at 30 kWp are sustainable economically with a slow payback of capital expense.
About PamojaNET
Pamoja, “together” in Swahilian, is an initiative of Ensemble which began in 2016 to install the island’s first WiFi network, Pamoja Net. Over 3,900 people have now benefitted from free access to Pamoja Net. Research carried out by Ensemble revealed that 98% of users felt that Pamoja Net had contributed to a positive change in their life from a new-found ability to connect with family and friends to conducting educational research, making job applications, checking weather reports before fishing on Lake Kivu and saving money.
