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1
Communications for All
RURAL COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT FUND
(RCDF)
ANNUAL REPORT
2014/15
2
Contents
Foreword…………………………………………………………….…………………………3
RCDF 2014/15 Activity Summary ………….………………………………………..4
Introduction……………………………………………………….………………………….6
The year 2014/15 Performance…..……………………………………………………6
Focus Project of the year 2014/15………………………………………………….12
Other key project activities of the year 2014/15………………………………14
Results, Impact and Gap analysis…………………………………………………...20
Planned activities for the year 2015/16…………………………………………..21
Abbreviations
UCC Uganda Communications Commission
RCDF Rural Communications Development Fund USF Universal Service Fund MCT Multipurpose Community Tele-centre POP Internet Points of Presence
ICT Information and Communications Technology UA Universal Access MoES Ministry of Education and Sports MoH Ministry of Health
DHO District Health Officer HC Health Centre
CAO Chief Administrative Officer
RDC Resident District Commissioner CIC Community Information Centre DTTB Digital Terrestrial Transmission Broadcasting NOC Network Operation Centre
ADM Analog to Digital Migration WBS Work Breakdown Structure UBC Uganda Broadcasting Corporation ERT Energy for Rural Transformation
Cover picture
Honourable Minister for ICT, Engineer John Nasasira (second right) Commissioning
the fully Integrated model of ICT laboratories at Kabohe Secondary School
Secondary School
3
Foreword
The Rural Communications
Development Fund (RCDF) is the
Universal Service Fund (USF) for
communications in Uganda. RCDF
was established in 2003 and it is
Statutorily Administered by Uganda
Communications Commission (UCC).
UCC in consultation with various
stakeholders defines objectives for
RCDF at the strategic level and
accordingly annual plans and budgets
are developed. The Annual report for
the year 2014/15 indicates the various
activities of RCDF during the year.
Uganda Communications Commission continues to use RCDF as well
as other regulatory tools within its mandate towards achieving
Universal Access to communications in Uganda.
Engineer Godfrey Mutabazi,
Executive Director,
Uganda Communications Commission
4
RCDF 2014/15 Activity Summary
In accordance with the business plan for the year 2014/15, the main RCDF projects carried out during the year 2014/15 involved;
i. Completion of the projects that were carried forward from the year 2014/15 - Establishment of 55 school ICT laboratories
- Completion of acquisition of the second DTTB site at Kololo
ii. Establishment of newly planned projects that included the following;
- DTTB network roll out to 17 selected sites
- Components of the programme for Integration of ICT into Education in Uganda
on selected sites; Retooling of teachers, Community ICT user training,
Installation of Content
All planned activities were executed except for those whose funds were transferred to cover the shortfall in funding the DTTB infrastructure rollout project.
Other project activities included;
- Commissioning of the holistic model of the programme for Integration of ICT
into Education in Uganda by the Hon Minister of ICT
- User training for online resource usage by various sector stakeholders
including the Uganda Prisons.
- Community ICT user training continued to feature as a very popular activity
country wide
iii. The main planned activities for the year 2015/16 are - Completion of the DTTB network roll out to 17 selected sites project
- Components of the programme for Integration of ICT into Education in Uganda
on selected sites; Retooling of teachers, Community ICT user training,
Installation of Content
Also planned is solicitation for more funds into RCDF given the increased potential for ICT projects as shown by the ICT gap analysis for the year 2015/16. Another activity for RCDF is the development of the 3rd RCDF Policy
Bob Lyazi, Director of RCDF
1st July, 2015
5
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6
Introduction
The Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF) is Uganda’s Universal
Service Fund (USF) and it is one of the key regulatory tools for Universal Access
to communications in rural and underserved areas in Uganda. RCDF was
established in 2003 and it is Statutorily Administered by Uganda
Communications Commission (UCC).
The RCDF Annual Report for the year 2014/15 comprises of a review of the
results and performance of RCDF for the year 2014/15 against the set objectives
and consequently the new gap and also includes the planned activities for the
year 2015/16.
For all the planned activities, appropriate resources; budget, human resources,
process systems and tools were all arranged at the beginning of the financial
year 2014/15
The year 2014/15 Performance
The key measures for performance of RCDF for the year are;
i. Number of new projects initiated, with the main objective of
maximizing the number and types of projects initiated
ii. Number of running/ commissioned projects kept in operation; with
the main objective of maximizing the number and types of projects
kept in operation
iii. Absorption of budgeted funds; as a function of i and ii above
1.1 RCDF Budget performance
All the projects carried forward from the financial year 2013/14 were fully
executed except the 110 private secondary schools whose procurement was
cancelled on technical grounds.
A total of Shs 8.2 Billion was used for the executed activities against the
budgeted amount of Shs 11.9 Billion. All new project activities were executed
except for Shs. 3.2 Billion of the budget was transferred to contribute to the
funding gap of year’s main project - the DTTB project.
7
1.2 Projects
a) Initiation of projects
All carried forward projects were initiated except for those supported by World
Bank whose support was withdrawn on technical grounds. All newly planned
projects were executed except for Pilot projects, Connectivity and new school ICT
laboratories as the funds originally planned for them were used to cover the
funding gap for the DTTB project. Details are as shown in the table below;
Status of implementation of each planned project activity as at 30th June,
2015
Project/Activity Units Amount (Ug.
Shs)
Status as at 30th June, 2015
PROJECTS B/F FROM THE YEAR 2013/14
School ICT laboratories
(55 govt. and 110 private)
6,240,000,000 55 labs to be completed in Sept,
2015 110 private schools deferred
Broadband (622 sites) 780,000,000 Completed
DTTB– 17 sites 19,500,000,000 to be completed by October, 2015
World Bank – ERT/ICT funded projects
Component; investments 3 3,900,000,000 World Bank withdrew support
Component; Technical
Assistance
1 1,300,000,000 World Bank withdrew support
NEW PROJECTS FOR THE YEAR 2014/15
Conditional grant to UICT 325,000,000 Effected
Pilot projects 4 1,040,000,000 Deferred due to funding
constraints
Broadband connectivity 500 1,300,000,000 Deferred due to funding
constraints
Integration of ICT into Education
Retooling of teachers 484 754,148,573 225 private schools teachers
retooled
Community ICT training 50 1,300,000,000 Carried out in 108 schools
Content _ Education 218 3,967,600,000 installed in 246 schools
School ICT laboratories 63 3,276,000,000 Deferred due to funding
constraints
8
b) Continuing projects
Against RCDF’s objective of maximizing the number and type of projects kept in
operation, the number of RCDF projects kept in operation during the year
2014/15 is assessed as shown in the table below
The number of running projects that had issues generally did not reduce
throughout the year as shown in the table below. To address this challenge
action has been sought to strengthen the project management function of RCDF
during the year 2015/16.
Programme Projects
% age with
issues
Remarks 1st July 2014
30th June 2015
Increasing data network geographical coverage (POPs)
76 0% 0%
No reduction in number
of projects with issues
Internet cafes 139 45% 45%
Increasing voice network geographical coverage (GSM sites)
90 0% 0%
Increasing public pay phone Access 3,543 46% 46%
Integrating ICT into Education in Uganda (Govt. Sec. Schools)
1,067 31% 32%
Integrating ICT into health services delivery (53 Govt. Hosp,61HCs,53DHOs)
167 38% 38%
Increasing postal network coverage and ICT integration into postal
services. (1 NAS pilot, 20 telecentres, 25 Post. Off.)
46 22% 22%
ICT integration in local governance (110 websites, 116 RDCs)
226 11% 11%
DTTB Infrastructure support (Greater Kampala coverage)
2 0% 0%
RCDF Ongoing Project Status Summary during the year
2014/15
9
Auditor General’s Opinion
Like for previous years, the Auditor General issued an unqualified Audit Opinion
for RCDF for the year 2014/15.
Extract of the RCDF Audit Report for 2014/15 showing the Auditor
General’s Opinion
10
RCDF Corporate/Departmental Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Summary
In accordance with the key result areas of each available core staff of RCDF, the
scope of work for the year 2014/15 was broken down into specific activities and
accordingly distributed among all staff. The time of implementation for each
broken down activity is also determined. Performance at departmental level is
accordingly reported as shown below;
S/N Major Tasks – 2014/15 Quantity Status as at 1st July, 2015
1 Technical audit of installed
projects
1,589 Technical audit for all 976
initiated projects produced
2 Routine field monitoring 6,209 Average of 1,134 projects
monitored each quarter
3 Database updates 12 8 updates/editions developed
4 Activity schedules and
progress tracking
4 4 schedule editions produced
5 Technical specifications 1 2014/15 edition produced
6 Pilot projects 4 4 proposals developed
7 RCDF webpage updates 12 4 updates made
8 Identification and fixing non-compliant projects
12 Problem projects’ number not changed
9 Developing project proposals
8 None developed
10 Project closures 8 None closed
11 Commissioning projects 10 None commissioned
12 World Bank project inputs 12 1 monthly report posted
13 Project initiation
workshops
5 None effected
14 Community ICT training in schools
100 carried out in 108 schools
15 Linkage with the Directorate
lot Monthly updates produced
16 Office systems rationalisation
lot Phase I completed
17 Publicity lot 17 publicity activities done
18 Publications 5 7 publications produced
11
S/N Major Tasks – 2014/15 Quantity Status as at 1st July, 2015
19 RCDF Board reports 4 RCDF Board not in place, quarterly reports submitted to the ED of UCC
20 Other RCDF reports 32 20 assorted reports on RCDF for various stakeholders
developed
21 New ideas coordination 4 4 pilot projects initiated out of
the new ideas
22 Technical Management
Unit objective realisation
lot Fully realized for the year
23 Project Management Unit
objective realisation
lot Objective not realized for the
year
24 Field work lot All staff executed field work except the PM unit staff
RCDF Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for the year 2014/15
1.3 Challenges
The main challenges include the following;
The World Bank termination of funding for Phase II of the ERT/ICT
programme
A big funding gap for the DTTB phase II hence causing reallocation of
funds from other project budgets such as school ICT laboratories and
internet connectivity to contribute to funding the gap
The RCDF policy framework not being fully harmonised with programme
implementation processes
2 Implementation Strategies for the year 2015/16
The following considerations have been made for the second half of the financial
year 2015/16 in order to mitigate the above challenges;
i. Develop project proposals to source funding from the Government of
Uganda Consolidated Fund and other development partners
ii. Engaging the policy level for a realistic RCDF policy framework
12
Honourable Nyombi Thembo, Minister of State for ICT awarding a Certificate to one of the participants of the Community ICT skills training that took place at Myanzi Secondary School
13
Focus Project for the year 2014/15
Phase II of The Digital Terrestrial Transmission Broadcasting Network
Infrastructure Roll out Project
UCC in partnership with UBC is implementing a project for
installation of DTTB infrastructure as part of the general
framework for Analogue to Digital Migration (ADM) that took
effect on 17th June 2015. The project is broken up into two
phases. Phase 1 being installation of two DTTB sites at Kololo
and was completed in December 2013.
RCDF is championing the project implementation in UCC. Phase
two is for installation of 17 selected sites strategically located
across the country that are linked with the phase I installations
to form a national DTTB network. Implementation of phase two
is underway. Upon signing of the Contracts with the various
project Implementers in December 2014, the actual
implementation of the respective project components was
executed by RCDF.
Status of Implementation as at 30th June, 2015
All site access roads upgrade completed
All site electricity upgrade completed
All staff factory training carried out
All equipment shipments dispatched for Uganda
Site 2 at Kololo fully acquired and regularised
Greater Kampala region migrated to digital broadcasting on ADM deadline of 17th June, 2015
Roll out completion expected around October, 2015 Site user training planned for November, 2015
No. Site
NOC Kololo
1 Masaka
2 Mbarara
3 Arua
4 Mbale
5 Soroti
6 Lira
7 Jinja
8 Fortportal
9 Gulu
10 Kiboga
11 Hoima
12 Kabale
13 Rukungiri
14 Rubirizi
15 Masindi
16 Kisoro
17 Ntungamo
14
Access Road and Electricity improvement works
Road works at Ntugamo Electricity works at Rubirizi
Predicted DTTB network coverage map for the 17 sites
15
Other key project activities of the year 2014/15
Other key project activities executed during the year included;
i. The ICT integration programme as a holistic programme was launched by
the Hon Minister of ICT during the year with the following complimentary
programme components;
a) ICT Infrastructure in schools, Universities and Tertiary Institutions b) Internet Connectivity c) User content (software) installation
d) ICT teacher retooling e) Local communities ICT skills training
All ICT school slaboratories are expected to have each of the above listed components so as to be effectively sustainable – standardisation of the
School ICT laboratories.
ii. User training for use of web based resources for Education, Health and
UPDF. Special user training was carried out in the above listed sectors for
effective harnessing of online resources. Specific focus was put on the
following;
a. Online education with several people now pursuing online
programmes such as degrees and diplomas from their respective
institutions
b. Online resources such as e-libraries
c. Online operations such as procurements
d. Online collaborations and linkages
iii. Development of a special RCDF publication to commemorate 10 years of
the existence of RCDF
iv. Showcasing the programme for ICT integration in Education in Uganda at
various international fora
v. A Study of RCDF Impact and Operation for planning the 3rd RCDF Policy
(2016 - 2021)
vi. The new UCC Commission made a field visit to RCDF projects in Eastern
Uganda
vii. The Parliamentary Committee on Statutory Authorities and State
Enterprises made a field visit to selected RCDF projects
16
Honourable John Nasasira (Centre) unveiling a plaque for the newly standardised ICT laboratory at Kabohe Secondary School. Extreme left is the Headmaster of the school
Hon Nasasira, Minister for ICT (fourth left) and Hon Erioda
Tumwesigye (3rd left) Minister of Health and area MP for Sheema North, touring the Standardised ICT laboratory at Kabohe Secondary School
17
Paramedical students at Butabika School of Psychiatric Nursing undergoing ICT training for e-learning and online resources usage
Bob Lyazi, Director of RCDF (extreme left) on a panel discussing the case of ICT integration in Uganda at the e-learning Africa Conference in Addis Ababa
18
Hon
. S
em
ujju
Nga
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a,( 4
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an
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arl
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tary
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20
14
, 2
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ea
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r th
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la
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19
Som
e U
CC
Boa
rd m
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CT
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at
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20
15
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; E
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Vin
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.A. K
asa
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ard
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rs. Ja
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ab
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20
Results, Impact and Gap analysis
After adjusting for the programme activities of the year 2014/15, the summary
of Programme gaps as at 1st July, 2015 is as shown in the table below;
Programme RCDF Cumulative Results
(2003 – 2014) Gap (2015/16)
1 Increasing data
network geographical coverage
- 76 POPs, Wireless data
network coverage extended from 0.13 % to 2.60 %
- 139 internet cafes
From the county level
to the village level (97% of the country)
2 Increasing voice
network geographical coverage
90 wireless network sites
Voice network coverage of 100 % at the sub county level
To the remaining 550
parishes across the country
3 Increasing public pay phone Access1
3,543 public pay phones at parish level
1,857 parishes ( about 34 % of the country) remain underserved
4 Integrating ICT into Education in Uganda
- 1067 of the total 1,150 government secondary
schools (93 %) have ICT laboratories.
- Computer Studies very
popular at “O” level and Compulsory at “A” Level
- A computer to student
ratio of 1:100
About 4,000 Private secondary schools The
computer to student ratio needs to be improved from 1:100 to
the recommended ratio of 1:10
5 Integrating ICT into
health services delivery
Basic ICT facilities for
Telemedicine and e-HMIS in 167 health facilities
ICT facilities in about
2,300 HC IV up to HC II health facilities
6 Increasing postal network coverage and
ICT integration into postal services.
- 20 postal Tele-centres - 25 postal centres
- A National Addressing System (NAS) pilot project
A National Addressing System (NAS) for the
whole country
7 ICT integration in
local governance
- 110 district web portals
- ICT for 116 RDC offices
Counties and sub-
counties
8 DTTB Infrastructure
support
-2 regional DTTB sites
developed - roll out to 17 other UBC sites
under installation
-Redundancy in the
network -DTTB Network
expansion to cover the whole country
1 A public pay phone is accessible to a user when it is within walking distance. In Uganda’s rural places 5kms is
widely considered as the limit for reasonable walking distance
21
Planned activities for the year 2015/16
The focus of programme of RCDF for the year 2015/16 is the standardisation of
the programme for Integration of ICT in Education. The business plan for the
year is thus basically comprised of completion of the carried forward programme
components (55 school ICT laboratories, DTTB Phase II project) and components
of the programme for Integration of ICT in Education plus Administrative and
Support activities for the projects. Also among the key activities planned for
RCDF during the year is sourcing more funds into the fund given the drastically
increased gaps for the various programmes.
RCDF Budget 2015/16
Against the expected revenue of the 2% GAR levy during the year 2015/16, the
following expenditure is budgeted;
ITEM RCDF Direct Expenditure
Total Ug Shs
Remittances to other agencies (MoICT, NITA, Cons. Fund, UICT)
22,100,000,000
Projects brought forward from the year 2014/15 - 55 School ICT labs, DTTB site 2
2,602,000,000
New Projects for the year 2015/16 - Internet Connectivity (40), Community
ICT training (100), Education Content (100), Retooling of teachers (300)
4,240,000,000
Vehicle 130,000,000
Staff Development 99,673,000
Total RCDF direct capital expenditure 7,071,673,000
Total Recurrent Expenditure - Project Support activities,
2,927,500,000
Total Direct RCDF Expenditure 9,999,173,000
GRAND TOTAL 32,099,673,000
RCDF budget summary for the financial year 2015/16
22
Insid
e t
he S
tan
da
rdis
ed
IC
T la
bora
tory
at
Ka
boh
e S
econ
da
ry S
ch
ool a
s t
ech
nic
ian
s p
ut
their
fin
al
tou
ch
es
23
RCDF SCOPE OF WORK, BUDGET AND SCHEDULE 2015/16
ACTIVITY BUDGET (Ug.Shs.)
QTY TIMING
A) BROUGHT FORWARD FROM 2014/2015
Remittances 22,100,000,000 4 Quarter 4
MoICT 2,000,000,000
NITA (U) 3,600,000,000
Consolidated Fund 16,000,000,000
UICT 500,000,000
Grid ICT Labs - 25 schools b/f 1 Quarter 2
Solar ICT labs - 15 schools b/f 1 Quarter 2
Grid ICT Labs - 15 schools b/f 1 Quarter 2
Broadcasting Infrastructure - Mbarara b/f 1 Quarter 2
DTTB Network Infrastructure sites b/f 18 Quarter 2
B) NEW PROJECTS FOR 2015/2016
Broadband Connectivity to selected institutions 120,000,000 40 Quarter 2 - 4
Community user training in schools/institutions 1,300,000,000 50 Quarter 2 - 4
Content development projects - education 2,030,000,000 100 Quarter 2 - 4
Retooling of teachers
C) ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES As required
RCDF retainer for 5 Board Members + Sitting allowance 203,625,000 12
RCDF Board Study Tours 527,942,000
Training - relevant technical needs 156,600,000 6
RCDF Board refreshments + subsistence allowance 30,500,000
Foreign Meetings - Staff 177,255,000
Local Travels (RCDF Board + Accompanying Staff) 45,360,000 14
Vehicle purchase and maintenance 192,000,000
RCDF Project Audit – World Bank 20,000,000 1
Adverts & Publicity 264,000,000
Board meetings 130,000,000 10
Project implementers workshops
Education and Health 25,000,000 2
Usage promotion activities 25,000,000 2
Prisons, UPDF, Schools and District officials 60,000,000 4
Education stakeholders 37,529,481 1
Health Stakeholders 25,000,000 2
Targeted groups 50,000,000 4
Publications + Adverts + Communications 17,450,000 8
Monitoring and evaluation - impact assessment 433,350,000
Bank Charges 30,720,000 12