Nabweru Multipurpose Community Telecentre

1) Nabweru

Location

  • Location: Nabweru sub-county headquarters, 6km Northwest of Kampala
  • GPS: N00° 21" 08.1' x E32° 32" 30.3'

Local conditions

  • Nabweru: 100 000
  • Clostest town: Kampala
  • Rain season: August-September (thunder storms)
  • Hot season: January
  • Main source of income: farming
  • Public sector
    • 25 schools
    • 10 churches
    • 75 health clinics
  • Private sector
    • Many large businesses exist in the area (< 10km)
    • Most of these are located in the city (Kampala?)
  • ICT
    • Calling points: Yes
    • Internet cafe: Yes (number unknown)

2) Telecentre: Organization and Business Model

  • Location:

History

  • Founded in 1997
  • In operation since 1999, 7 years

Contact Person

Name Age Position Language Phone Mail
Jjuko Edward 38 Manager English/Luganda 0772952532 edwardjjuko@hotmail.com
Kikoba Joseph 32 Volunteer English/Luganda
Kikomeko Geoffrey 32 Asst. Manager English/Luganda 0712376844 mulamyakg@yahoo.com

Employees

  • 3 people

Services (offered today)

  • Computer training: at least 2 clients /day
  • Library service: 1 client /day
  • Printing: 4 clients /day (USh 6 000- USh 2000 per day)
  • Community radio
  • Most beneficial: computer training, printing and community radio
  • Least beneficial: library
  • Serves a radius of 3 kms

Target groups

  • Women, youth and students (age 16-24)

Internet access

  • PC's: 5 computers (networked)
  • Internet access: Yes (but not in use since 3 months due to high costs)
  • ISP: Bushnet (Cisco Wireless)
  • Access method: Wireless
  • Cost: $250 /month
  • Bandwidth: N/A
  • Other ICT equipment: computers and other kinds of equipment such as television sets, radio, projector, video decks, and video camera

3) Telecentre Environment

  • Building: a single storey office block
  • Access to roof top: No
  • Secure storage: Yes
  • Thefts: No
  • Shares premise: Yes (administration Police, LCIII Chairperson' Office, Tiger FM radio station and the health

department)

  • Masts: A radio mast [12m] next to the Telecentre. Owned by the Telecentre radio station, a sister organization of the Telecentre. The mast is in good condition with proper earthening. Easy to climb.
    1. Contact info: Ssali Mahadai, Phone: 0752666019, email: ssalimahadi@yahoo.com
  • Location: 6 km from Kampala

Power

  • Primary source: Hydro electricity
  • Alt. source: Generator, 5kVA
  • Load shedding: every second day
  • UPS: Yes, to all computers

4) Partners

Partner # users Estimates Distance Location LOS Roof top Comment
Crown High School 220 $40/ N/A 600m Small slope, trees and builidings blocking No Yes It might be LOS from roof top (two storey building).
Nabweru Parents' School 700 $50/ N/A 1km No No thick vegetation and several buildings
Nabweru Sub-County offices 20 $100/ USh 200,000 50m Same compund Yes No Cat5
Tiger FM radio station 15 $20 50m Same compund Yes No Cat5
Nabweru Magistrate court 15 $20 300 m next to the Telecentre Yes No Clear LOS without obstacles
5 1000 $230

5) Questions

  • What bandwidth is guaranteed for 250 USD/month?
  • How much can the Telecentre afford to spend on Internet access? (per month)