In Search of Local Knowledge on ICTs in Africa

Gagliardone, Iginio; Kalemera, Ashnah; Kogen, Lauren; Nalwoga, Lillian; Stremlau, Nicole; Wakabi, Wairagala

doi:10.5334/sta.fv

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…However, Gagliardone et al noted that in spite of the refrain common in literature on eParticipation in Africa that access to ICT will spur particular democratic behaviours and political and democratic outcomes, it evades to evaluate how particular cultural and sociological contexts drive ICT use [4]. A study has found that Kenyan citizens had no trust or confidence in using mobiles for communicating with government and service providers [32].…”

Section: Background and Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Kenya, social networks act as communication spaces that promote democracy through individuals" "articulation of democratic ideas" [23]. Research has found that in Uganda and East Africa, some social accountability initiatives that use ICT are giving voice to individuals who otherwise would not participate in community affairs, improving citizens" civic skills and helping to hold local leaders and service providers accountable [4], [28,29].…”

Section: Background and Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indubitably, ICT is increasingly being used in political processes in Africa, including for promoting human rights monitoring [4], in election campaigns and for monitoring elections [3], [22], and for promoting transparency and accountability in government operations [6], [23]. ICT is helping to amplify citizens" voices, increasing civic awareness and empowering citizens to monitor the delivery of services [24,25,26].…”

Section: Background and Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, a review of literature on ICT and participation in Africa concluded that although there was much excitement and optimism about the role of ICT in governance, the evidence of actual impact was thin [4]. In America and Europe, research abounds on how ICT is enabling citizens to participate in various governance processes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Citizen-to-Citizen vs. Citizen-to-Government eParticipation in Uganda: Implications for Research and Practice

Wakabi

Grönlund

2015

Electronic Participation

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Abstract:The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is growing globally, as is interest in the use of digital technologies to improve citizens" participation in governance. In African countries, where ICT use remains low and where there is a democratic deficit, the nature and extent of citizens" participation via ICT is unknown. Based on a print questionnaire with 322 internet users in Uganda, this paper compares citizen-to-citizen (C2C) participation and citizen-to-government (C2G) participation, examines the factors that hinder greater C2C and C2G online participation, and explores the implications for greater eParticipation in future. For effective eParticipation, the majority of Ugandan internet users need to become more active as creators of online content, as well as conversationalists and critics. Results show that regardless of whether it is engagements among citizens or between citizens and leaders, most citizens are spectators.

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Section: Background and Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Background and Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Background and Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Citizen-to-Citizen vs. Citizen-to-Government eParticipation in Uganda: Implications for Research and Practice

Wakabi

Grönlund

2015

Electronic Participation

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“…It asks how officers use ICT and whether it makes a difference to their conduct of everyday business or relations with their respective headquarters and the government. The third concludes that ICT may be a new variable within existing power networks 11 but it has yet to affect relations between Somaliland's security-conscious government and the organisations and populace it must deal with. Centre-periphery relations are less problematic than Herbst thought.…”

Section: Ict and The State In Remote And Coastal Somalilandmentioning

confidence: 99%

Off-road policing: communications technology and government authority in Somaliland

Hills

2016

International Affairs

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Prompted by the trend to see information and communications technology (ICT) as a tool for capacity building, this article asks whether the use of ICT has—or can—recast centre–periphery relations in a hybrid country such as Somaliland. Taking as its departure point Herbst's observation that a fundamental problem confronting African leaders concerns how to extend or consolidate authority over sparsely settled lands, it uses recent developments in Somaliland's coast guard and immigration police to assess ICT's contribution to changing security provision in remote and coastal areas. This allows for an analysis of Somaliland's law enforcement framework, the relationship between its politics and practice, the practical application of its coercive resources, and the Silanyo government's priorities and preference for consensus and co‐existence whenever security imperatives allow. It suggests that ICT can be a desirable operational tool or a variable in existing power networks, but that it does not represent a new mode of security governance. ICT's potential to connect Somaliland's government and populace, and politics and practice, is for now minimal, but identifying the ways in which security actors such as coast guards actually use ICT allows for a more accurate assessment of the variables shaping centre–periphery relations. Contrary to Herbst's observation, the Silanyo government does not need to overtly or systematically extend, consolidate or exert its authority in remote and coastal areas. Spatial metaphors such as centre–periphery help to clarify the situation, but the significance invested in them reflects western rationalities, rather than Somali realities.

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Technology and Peace

Tellidis¹

2020

The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Peace and Conflict Studies

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In Search of Local Knowledge on ICTs in Africa

Cited by 14 publications

References 27 publications

Citizen-to-Citizen vs. Citizen-to-Government eParticipation in Uganda: Implications for Research and Practice

Citizen-to-Citizen vs. Citizen-to-Government eParticipation in Uganda: Implications for Research and Practice

Off-road policing: communications technology and government authority in Somaliland

Technology and Peace

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