Digital Media: The Future of Rural Communities in Uganda (Language: English)
Africa, particularly Uganda cannot oppose the rise of technology, and the investment in digital media from various media intuitions needs to be considered. Citizen journalists have become central to exposing the ‘underdevelopment’ in many countries; often giving a voice to rural communities that would otherwise not be heard. Digital media fills a media void on issues in rural communities that, as mainstream media may be unable to owing to censorship. Often, the main stream media agenda is very narrow so a range of stories and issues do not get attention. The lecture presentation will mainly focus on the social aspect of the digital citizen, how specific technologies are being implemented in rural areas of Uganda and how web2.0 tools are relevant in bridging the digital divide between rural and urban communities.



Maureen Agena
Maureen is a Citizen Journalist, new media enthusiast and trainer. She works as an information officer for Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET),a non-governmental organization whose Mission is to promote and support the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among women and women organizations in Uganda. She currently moderates the dgroup for Citizen Journalists in Uganda. Maureen holds a bachelor of science with honors in Information Technology, and is currently perusing a Master of Science in Information systems. Her passion for new media and community development earned her an opportunity to work as a Remote intern for the ICT and Innovation programme at The technical centre of Agriculture and rural cooperation ACP-EU (CTA), Netherlands.