A Framework for Implementation and Operation Support of Telecenters in a Rural Area, a Case of Ssembabule District, Uganda

ABSTRACT This thesis was focused at examining and validating existing information about the growth and development of Ssembabule district with the aim of improving the existing telecentre system through generation of new, more effective information access and sharing portals. To develop information resource model and compare the model with the existing information system in terms of performance and efficiency in Ssembabule District, Uganda, to determine the profile of the respondents in terms of age,gender, highest academic qualification and source of income, to determine the level of performance of the existing information system in Ssembabule District, Uganda, to establish the level of performance of the proposed information resource model after the implementation, to determine if there is a significant difference between the existing information system and the proposed information resource model in terms of performance and efficiency. The study employed qualitative, quantitative and mixed research designs with a number of tools in order to come up with a comprehensive result. A population size of 25 Ssembabule District local government Officials, 100 CBOS’ officials 100 NGOs’ officials and 275 farmers was used. A sample size of 17 Local Government staff, 54 NGO representatives, 54 CBO representatives, and 133 farmers was used, simple random sampling which is a type of sampling technique that allows researchers to collect data in which each element in a population has a known and equal probability of selection was used. The primary tool used in this study was a simplified questionnaire characterized by closed-ended type of questions to help the respondents answer easily. Having carried out the survey successfully, it was revealed that the biggest percentage (60%) of population in Ssembabule district are farmers. This study is the result of analysis and implementation of an information resource model at Ssembabule Telecentre in Ssembabule District.This research was undertaken at Ssembabule District, the important thing is that a priority for Ssembabule Telecentre is caring about the information needs of Ssembabule community which is expected to transform into economic prosperity. With provision of appropriate and timely information, this can ably be achieved, maintained and sustained. Ssembabule Telecentre should procure materials: appropriate computers for the Telecentre service, equipped with the latest version of windows to keep data comfortably. Each machine should have an updated antivirus to insure full protection. Other materials include external hard disk with at least 200GB size for easy backup of data, and a good printer which can be shared at the center to facilitate printing.