Busoga Rural Open Source and Development Initiative (BROSDI)

BROSDI has developed several different programmes to reach out to different segments of the Ugandan community. The organisation uses ICTs as a tool for stimulating socio-economic development and accomplishing other development-related goals through, in particular, the use of open development mediums, open source software (OSS), knowledge sharing, and information management. Specifically, BROSDI:

• promotes use of ICT mediums as an engine for community development
• increases awareness and extends financial and technical support to community-level, micro agricultural initiatives
• undertakes an advocacy role geared towards increased community awareness on the rights-based approach, as well as on behalf of BRODSI beneficiaries
• increases awareness of the spread of HIV/AIDS in the community
• acquires and disseminates information on behalf of BROSDI and other development partners
• promotes gender equity and equality in the community
• extends financial and technical support to peer information exchange forums that are working to address HIV/AIDS scourge using ICT and drama groups
• facilitates HIV/AIDS education community campaigns (including HIV testing and counseling).

Examples of specific BROSDI programmes include:

• Human Rights Programme- To cite one example, the Orphan Children’s Project is rooted in research conducted in western Uganda that sought to understand the kinds of constraints caregivers are under, what coping strategies they are using, and what kinds of worries they have. This project works to enlighten orphans on their basic human rights through sensitisation and training modes; varying increased awareness campaigns are designed to empower them to exercise these rights. The goal is to help orphans improve their own food security and nutrition levels, all using ICT and open development mediums.
• Health Programme- To cite one example, the HIV/AIDS Youth Project aims to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention among young people through effective use of ICT for information sharing and knowledge management. The goal of the project is to reduce the further spread of HIV/AIDS infections and reverse the community’s perception of people infected with HIV/AIDS towards positive thinking and relationships. It also aims to test the potential of ICTs as a means of facilitating youth and community learning about HIV/AIDS in Uganda and to empower youth in skills for alleviating HIV/AIDS.
• ICT Programme- Uses both modern and traditional methods to relate developmental information in a manner designed to be suitable for the end user.
• Sustainable Agriculture Programme - Mobilises persons to collect and exchange local agro-related content. It also works with partners in focusing on the marketing aspect of agro-products.

Technology, Economic Development, HIV/AIDS, Rights.