1. Strategic Plan
2009-2010
BOSCO Uganda
Battery Operated Systems for Community Outreach
Gulu Archdiocese
P.O.Box 200
Gulu, Uganda
Email: jokumu@bosco-uganda.org
Tel: +256 772 613 517
Facilitated by:
Stefan Bock (HORIZONT3000), Kamila Krygier (AGEH/JPC Gulu)
Tel. +256 774 710 313, +256 775 211 521
Email: stefan.bock@horizont3000.org, kamila.krygier@jpcgulu.org
HORIZONT3000 – Austrian Organisation for Development Co-Operation
Justice and Peace Commission, Gulu Archdiocese
March 2009

2. CONTENTS
Foreword by His Grace John Baptist Odama, Archbishop Gulu Archdiocese ................................................................3
Foreword by Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Okumu, Executive Director BOSCO Uganda ..............................................................4
Foreword by Gus Zuehlke, President of BOSCO USA ....................................................................................................5
BOSCO Uganda - Background ........................................................................................................................................6
History – Giving a Voice to the People ......................................................................................................................6
Vision .........................................................................................................................................................................7
Mission ......................................................................................................................................................................7
Strategic Programme Areas .......................................................................................................................................7
Situation Analysis ..........................................................................................................................................................8
Problem Analysis .......................................................................................................................................................8
Stakeholder Analysis .................................................................................................................................................9
SWOT Analysis – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats..........................................................................11
Strategic Plan 2009-2010 ............................................................................................................................................12
Outline of Strategic Objectives ...............................................................................................................................12
BOSCO Uganda Strategic Objectives and Activities, 2009-2010............................................................................13

3. FOREWORD BY HIS GRACE JOHN BAPTIST ODAMA, ARCHBISHOP GULU ARCHDIOCESE
The Catholic Church has always had special interest in those “technical inventions of our time which directly touch
man’s spirit and open avenues of easy communication” (Vatican II Inter mirifica 1963.1). Isolated by over two
decade of war and conflict in the jurisdiction of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu, I took interest in Battery
Operated Systems for Community Outreach (BOSCO).
BOSCO Uganda is an organization whose mission it is to provide information and communication technology (ICT)
solutions using a collaborative web based approach to foster social, economic development and peace building in
rural areas of northern Uganda. In the end of her mission BOSCO wants to see open and peaceful rural
communities ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the globalized world in the 21st Century.
I am privileged to write a foreword to this Strategic Plan which will help bring such an important and modern
means of social communication to the Archdiocese of Gulu.
In this Strategic plan we have chosen to lay emphasis on the rural areas. These are where we have found gaps in
the overall communication spectrum. As long as gaps exist in rural areas of a modern world so rich in technical
inventions the Church will feel called to help fill them. But this is not to say our emphasis on rural communities is
done at the expense of other areas; rather as you will find out from the Strategic program there exists an overlap
especially in the areas of peace building and education.
In this strategic plan you will observe our commitment to a vision of development. This stems from our conviction
that peace and development are correlated. To many, peace loving persons the process of peace building through
the round table talks, like those in Juba, still continues at home. We must not sit back and simply lament the
breakdown of talks in Juba. BOSCO Uganda wishes to be part of the civil Peace, Recovery and Development
Program (PRDP). Users of the BOSCO Uganda internet link (teachers, students, farmers, human rights advocates,
religious leaders etc.) will hopefully talk a great deal about peace and development with one another.
I could not find a better way to build peace together with so many people who have valuable ideas than BOSCO
Uganda.
It is my hope that the strategic plan roll out touches precisely on those points that will see us develop as a truly
open and peaceful community of people of the same nation with a common good.
I therefore bless BOSCO Uganda’s strategic plan to bring forth abundant fruit of peace and stability in northern
Uganda and indeed Uganda as a whole. Well deserved thanks goes to Horizont3000, an Austrian Agency for
Overseas Development who funded the strategic planning workshop.
+John Baptist Odama
(Archbishop of Gulu)
3

4. FOREWORD BY REV. FR. DR. JOSEPH OKUMU, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BOSCO UGANDA
Humanitarian Organizations whose goal it is to provide emergency relief in times of conflict and war are packing
up their bags following the on-going peace process in northern Uganda. The Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu faces
bigger challenges to fill in for some of those Organizations to close remaining gaps. Over twenty years of conflict,
war and faith in northern Uganda have been quite a mix.
But most importantly the Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu wants to sustain the peace process so far achieved in the
South Sudan capital city Juba. There is a modern way to do this. It is through Information and Communication
Technology ICT BOSCO. Through Battery Operated Systems for Community Outreach (BOSCO) the Archdiocese of
Gulu in northern Uganda wants to see open and peaceful rural communities of northern Uganda ready to face the
challenges and opportunities of the globalized world in the 21st Century.
Yes, the Juba peace process has gone far to seal cease fire but this is not enough. Something more must be done.
BOSCO wants to provide innovative solutions using a collaborative web-based approach to foster social, economic
development and peace building in rural communities of northern Uganda. There is a vast area of activities in
northern Uganda where ICT is much needed; the area of computer education, human rights and peace building,
research and installation of innovative technology in rural areas and research and concept development for ICT in
development.
Once accomplished, these rich programs will catapult northern Uganda some 20 years ahead into peace and
development.
Since its birth in 2006 BOSCO has already been of use to some children, adult Human Rights Volunteers, medical
nurses, primary and secondary school teachers and many youth who dropped out of school in Gulu (Unyama, Coo-
pe and CARITAS Gulu ) and Amuru (Lacor, Pagak, Jengari and Pabo).
It is our hope that BOSCO continues to expand to reach and bring together all rural areas of northern Uganda into
Uganda. It is also my hope that all civil and religious leaders find BOSCO the best modern means of evangelization
and peace building through reconciliation.
A quote of an African wisdom is not out of place here “In Africa when we quarrel we remember that we will have
to live together tomorrow. So we must not deal with conflicts in a way that will prevent us living together
tomorrow”.
Fr. Dr. Joseph Okumu
(Executive Director)
4

5. FOREWORD BY GUS ZUEHLKE, PRESIDENT OF BOSCO USA
My first encounter with Uganda was in South Bend, IN. We were hosting an Acholi priest at the parish near the
University of Notre Dame where I serve as the Director of Faith Formation. One morning, upon entering my office, I
discovered Fr Binta weeping at my computer after having read an email and a news update about what was happening
to his people in northern Uganda.
That was the moment where I first learned of the 20 year insurgency in northern Uganda which, at its height, had
displaced almost 2 million people and seen tens of thousands of youth kidnapped to be used as child soldiers. In 2004 I
was invited by Fr Binta to give a retreat to the Catholic members of the Parliament of Uganda. Upon the completion of
the retreat I was invited to northern Uganda to visit the priests in the Archdiocese of Gulu—the diocese which covers
almost all of “Acholiland” northern Uganda.
At that time, the insurgency was still very dangerous and it was not safe to drive to the north so I took a commuter plane
to Gulu in the north. From the sky, I could see once-fertile farm lands lying fallow or burned. Even more prominent
were the hundreds of displacement camps, visible from the air, which housed tens of thousands of people each.
The devastation was so apparent, yet I was not sure what could be done to help alleviate the suffering of the Acholi
people in the displacement camps. Upon returning to the US in between my second and third visit to northern Uganda
in 2005, I began discussing with Fr Joseph Okumu, Director of the Catechists Training Center in Gulu, about the
possibility of using a WiFi Internet signal that could be bounced from IDP camp to IDP camp, facilitating communication.
In our view, we had the American technology, coupled with the strong church infrastructure in northern Uganda, to
make it a real possibility that we could launch an emergency communication system between the camps.
In 2006 I had an IT professional begin researching the technology that would be needed to deploy in the IDP camps. It
took 13 months from conception to deployment and in April 2007, BOSCO was officially launched in nine sites, giving
health centers, schools, parish offices, and community-based organizations access to each other and the outside world
for the first time. Because this network of solar powered PCs with Internet and VoIP telephony access was installed in a
time of war, it was our hope that having a communication tool in these locations would be used as an emergency
warning system for possible attacks on residents.
Fortunately, it was never needed as a warning system as relative peace came soon after deployment. Almost
immediately, it then became a robust communications and development project aimed at ending the isolation of the
Acholi people after 20 years of war and little access to the outside world. After deployment, an elderly Acholi nun
working in one of these IDP camps called me in the US from the VoIP phone we had installed at her parish office; she
told me: “Gus, BOSCO is helping cut off the greatest suffering of the Acholi people over the last 20 years: We are
beginning to defeat the isolation caused by war.”
Today BOSCO has grown to 20 sites and continues to expand. We have hired Ugandan staff and I am very pleased to say
that it is serving a great need and that our staff in Acholiland are taking the primary responsibility for running the day-to-
day operations of the organizations. I look forward to seeing the day when war is no longer a threat to the people of
northern Uganda. Being able to tell the world what has happened there is the first step down the path to peace and
reconciliation.
Gus Zuehlke
(President of BOSCO USA)
(BOSCO USA initiated and co-founded BOSCO Uganda and is still its main supporter)
5

6. BOSCO UGANDA - BACKGROUND
HISTORY – GIVING A VOICE TO THE PEOPLE
Because of 20 years of conflict and displacement, the people of northern Uganda have become isolated from the
technological developments rapidly happening in their own country and throughout the world. This isolation and
st
lack of access to 21 century Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has led to a lack of innovation
and creative thinking to address community needs. Twenty years of war has left many people as dependents on
traditional aid resources. Today, with peace on the horizon, BOSCO Uganda believes that we can begin to turn
dependency into self-advocacy through the use of innovative and collaborative ICT technologies.
Initiated in 2006 under the umbrella of Gulu Archdiocese, BOSCO Uganda has been implementing a Pilot ICT
project in 6 IDP-camps in Gulu and Amuru district (including Choo Pe, Unyama, Lacor, Pagak, Pabbo and Jengari).
Using innovative technologies for computer and internet access, specially adapted for rural areas, BOSCO Uganda
is contributing towards the increasing communication and information needs in post-war northern Uganda.
After the successful implementation of Phase I, BOSCO Uganda is currently planning to expand its activities in
Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum and Pader Districts. Furthermore BOSCO Uganda concentrates on the development of new
concepts of ICT usage. These concepts shall include: new, innovative computer education, ICT for Human Rights,
special programmes for youth groups, partnership programmes between northern Uganda and the whole global
community, etc.
BOSCO-Uganda provides rural and displaced communities with communication stations consisting of low-power,
solar powered PCs connected to a high-speed, long-range WiFi Internet connection. Also, each communication
station is linked to other BOSCO sites via a free VoIP telephony network and through a high-speed internal
network (INTRANET) content management page.
Moving beyond the provision of technical solutions, BOSCO will concentrate on the development of both proven
and emerging directions for ICT usage. These directions include computer education adapted to the realities of
21st Century global interconnectivity and a Web 2.0 collaborative approach to cooperation with health centres, e-
agriculture, educational outreach, e-government, etc.
6

7. “BREAKING THE SILENCE“
VISION
Open and peaceful rural communities, ready to face the challenges
and opportunities of the globalized world in the 21st century.
MISSION
Provide innovative ICT (Information and Communication Technology) solutions
using a collaborative, web-based approach to foster social and economic
development and peace building in rural communities in northern Uganda.
STRATEGIC PROGRAMME AREAS
• ICT and Computer Education for rural communities
• ICT for Human Rights and Peace building
• Research and Installation of innovative ICT technologies for rural areas
• Research and Concept development for “ICT in Development”
7

8. SITUATION ANALYSIS
PROBLEM ANALYSIS
Development Concerns: Can Be Addressed By Challenges to Rural Communities: Can Be Addressed By
BOSCO Uganda BOSCO Uganda
• Poverty • Schools:
• Illiteracy o Poor documentation
• HIV/Aids o Lack of education resources
• Poor agricultural practices, inadequate o Poor communication
market accessibilities o Lack of worldview exposure
• Poor health care facilities (e.g. o Poor ICT curriculum
documentation, records, poor medical • Community members
information) o Poor self-advocacy
• Inadequate WATSAN (Water and o Isolation of communities
Sanitation) facilities in rural communities o Prejudices and negative stereotypes
• High levels of trauma o Lack of life skills
• Weak social values o Lack of employment skills
• Poor transport / communication in rural o Lack of collaboration
communities • Rural Institutions
• Poor coordination of government entities o Inefficiency, not reaching their potential
(information gaps) o Poor quality services
• High violence rates o Lack of collaboration
• Corruption o Poor documentation
Human Rights Concerns Needing ICT Attention Technical Problems Facing ICT Installations
• Lack of awareness on Human Rights issues • Surge problems from grid power
• Lack of access to justice, especially in • Lightning during rainy seasons
remote areas • Limited knowledge of technical staff
• Lack of accountability • Unreliable power supplies
• Poor documentation of Human Rights • Difficulties finding technical staff
violations • Limited time for research
• Ineffective reporting system • Inefficient equipment
• Limited resources for maintenance, research
• Lack of cooperation with Universities, institutions
doing ICT research
• Limited knowledge about similar ICT activities
• Lack of funds for research, test installations
Organisational Issues of BOSCO Uganda
• Incomplete definition of structure, policies
• Communication gaps
• Lack of visibility
• Inadequate payment of some staff
• Clarification of Terms / Formal appointment of Management and Administration
• Dependency on external human resources (Advisors)
• Limited capacity of staff, Absence of supportive staff
• No clear overview of finances
• Absence of a complete office space
8

9. STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS
Actor / Stakeholder Relevance for BOSCO Uganda Potential / Strengths Problems / Weaknesses
1. BOSCO USA • Funding, Capacity Building • Reliable, long-term partner • Dependency
2. CTC – Catechist Training Center • Host, Office space • Sustainability • Dependency
3. Gulu Archdiocese • Trustee • Legitimacy through ownership • Limited Funds
4. HORIZONT3000 • Capacity building, Funding • Sustainability • Dependency
5. Beneficiaries • BOSCO users • The reason for our existence. • Need to reach more users
6. BOSCO Site Volunteers • Implementation • Rural Expansion • Limited skills in ICT
7. BOSCO Site Managers • Site administrators • Sustainability • Poor management skills
8. Schools • BOSCO users • The reason for our existence. • Limited ICT literacy
9. Radio Maria • Tower support • Mast host • Limited No. of towers
10. War Child Holland • Partnership • Potential Collaborator / Donor • Lower ICT Technology level
11. University Notre Dame • Personnel, Research • Potential Partner • Distance, Finances
12. HURIFO • Partnership • Potential Collaborator / Donor • Lower ICT Technology level
13. Centenary Bank • Funding • Finances • Limited Resources
14. Stan.Chart. Bank • Funding • Finances • Limited Resources
15. Utah University • Technical support • Installations • No experience yet
16. IICD • Potential partner • Web2.0 improvement • No computer lab / installation
support
17. NUTI • Potential partner • E-government, others • No partnership yet
18. UNDP • Potential Partner • Funding, Information sharing • No contact yet
19. Rotary • Potential Donor • Expansion • Limited funding
20. Computers for Africa • Competitor • Potential Partner • Poor Services
21. Cisco Foundation • Equipment supplier • Potential Partner • Does not donate directly to
religiously affiliated
organisations
22. Other potential Donors • Funding, sustainability • Finances • Yet to be reached
23. Gulu, Amuru, Kitgum, Pader • Local authorities • Coordination, Permission • Bureaucracy
Local Government
9

10. 24. DDMC • Coordination • Information sharing • No contact yet
25. Bardege Division • Office space owner • Space for computer lab, • Bureaucracy
training
26. UCC • Licence body, Potential • Authorize operations, • No financial cooperation
Funding Clarification of Licence
necessity
27. UTL • ADSL / Towers • Provides internet access • Unreliable services
28. MTN • Potential alternative ISP (ADSL, • WiMax • Limited WiMax sites
WiMax)
29. INVENEO • Technology, consultancy • ICT consultancy, initial • Very expensive
installations
30. BBM Austria • Power, surge protection • High quality equipment • No formal MoU, Expensive
solutions
31. Ultratech • Power solutions • Ugandan Provider • Expensive, Partly inadequate
quality
32. FedEx • Shipping • Reliable, available in Gulu • Tax status unclear
10

11. SWOT ANALYSIS – STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES, THREATS
STRENGHTS OPPORTUNITIES
• Provide a unique service in the • Support from church structures • High demand for new • Become a model NGO for ICT
region • Local communities trust – as part installations practices and solutions
• Teamwork of the church • Gap in ICT use to fill • New and improved grassroots
• Available Equipment, Assets • Transparency, openness • Funding from potential donors structures
• Innovative Technology • Honesty • Options for new equipment • Wide variety of possible areas of
• Innovative Training (Web2.0) • Local community motivation for • New partnerships with NGOs, operation
• Good ability to mobilize ICT Institutions • Good technical research
• Good communication skills • Legal status clear • Upcoming computer labs possibilities
• Collaboration • Flexibility • Possibilities for training • Capacity building options through
• Regular, weekly evaluation / • Motivated team committed to institutions partners
planning the Mission • Motivated and inspired • Possibility for better planning and
• Commitment to learn in the • Conducive working environment volunteers reporting through new
team • Good international partners organisational structure
• Technical know-how • Competent staff
WEAKNESSES THREATS
• Lack of visibility • Transportation problems • Unstable environment • No local financial contribution
• International communication • Unclear focus areas • Low level of education • Possibility of losing staff due to
gap caused by reliance on Email • Unstable technology • Competitive behaviour of lack of money
• Limited funding • Absence of local BoD existing internet providers • Dependence on another
• Lack of clarity of job descriptions • Inadequate research and • Theft institution (CTC)
/ appointment letters capacity building
• Lack of human resources • Poor revenue generating model
• Lack of proposal writing skills • Lack of internal policies
• No knowledge, research of • Weak follow-up
potential donors • Poor planning
• Limited networking • Limited confidence as BOSCO is
still new
• Programming gaps
11

12. STRATEGIC PLAN 2009-2010
OUTLINE OF STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
1. ICT and Computer Education for rural communities
• SO 1.1: Increase ICT literacy in schools, institutions and community sites
• SO 1.2: Increase collaboration among schools, communities and institutions – locally and
internationally by building and implementing social networks
2. ICT for Human Rights and Peace building
• SO 2.1: Improve capacity of Human Rights Volunteers already participating in BOSCO Uganda –
HURIFO project
• SO 2.2: Expand the No. of Human Rights Volunteers in BOSCO Uganda
3. Research and Installation of innovative ICT technologies for rural areas
• SO 3.1: Improve capacity of BOSCO Uganda technical staff
• SO 3.2: Improve reliability of technological services
• SO 3.3: Establish BOSCO Uganda as a sustainable communication system
4. Research and Concept development for “ICT in Development”
• SO 4.1: Conduct research & improve networking
• SO 4.2: Develop new concepts and launch small pilot projects
5. Organisational Development of BOSCO Uganda
• SO 5.1: Develop an effective fundraising strategy
• SO 5.2: Clarify and define the structure of BOSCO Uganda
12

13. BOSCO UGANDA STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES, 2009-2010
Strategic Programme Areas
Strategic Objectives (SO) Strategic Activity Areas (AA)
1. ICT and Computer Education for rural communities
• AA 1.1.1: Establish a permanent training centre
SO 1.1: Increase ICT literacy in schools, institutions and
community sites • AA 1.1.2: Mobilize, sensitize and recruit site volunteers
• AA 1.1.3: Facilitate Web2.0 ToT training for site volunteers
• AA 1.1.4: Monitor, Evaluate, and Follow-up with site volunteers
• AA 1.1.5: Set up computer labs
• AA 1.1.6: Revise Web2.0 curriculum and develop a training manual
• AA 1.2.1: Identify schools and sensitize about schools and school programs
SO 1.2: Increase collaboration among schools,
communities and institutions – locally and • AA 1.2.2: Organize local and international schools
internationally • AA 1.2.3: Provide web space for collaboration
• AA 1.2.4: Monitor, Evaluate, and Follow-up with exchange on Internet
• AA 1.2.5: Provide institutions with Inter-/Intranet space to advertise programs
• AA 1.2.6: Provide information, web-space and opportunities for communities
13

14. 2. ICT for Human Rights and Peace building
• AA 2.1.1: Follow up and offer refresher training
SO 2.1: Improve capacity of Human Rights Volunteers
• AA 2.1.2: Find funds to continue HURIFO-BOSCO Uganda project in new locations in
already participating in BOSCO Uganda – HURIFO
project Gulu, Amuru, Pader and Kitgum districts
• AA 2.1.3: Monitor and evaluate progress of Human Rights Volunteers integrating ICT
• AA 2.1.4: Provide information on various Human Rights issues on the BOSCO Intranet
and create space for HRVs on the Internet
• AA 2.1.5: Offer joint workshops in ICT for Human Rights Volunteers
• AA 2.2.1: Provide more ICT equipment for HRVs who are new to the BOSCO project
SO 2.2: Expand the No. of Human Rights Volunteers in
• AA 2.2.2: Offer basic computer training for new HRVs
BOSCO Uganda
3. Research and Installation of innovative ICT technologies for rural areas
• AA 3.1.1: Specify areas of necessary training (e.g. Wireless, solar, surge)
SO 3.1: Improve capacity of BOSCO Uganda technical
• AA 3.1.2: Be a source of ICT Literature to expand individual knowledge
staff
• AA 3.1.3: Experiment with new discoveries and equipment
• AA 3.1.4: Find external experts to help bring their Know-how into BOSCO
• AA 3.1.5: Source and participate in ICT technological trainings
• AA 3.2.1: Carry out regular assessments of new equipment and research developing
SO 3.2: Improve reliability of technological services
technology trends
• AA 3.2.2: Regularly check and compare BOSCO to existing ISPs
• AA 3.2.3: Devise a means of continuous benchmarking of network reliability
• AA 3.3.1: Perform accurate surveys of current BOSCO sites (expansion)
SO 3.3: Establish BOSCO Uganda as a sustainable
• AA 3.3.2: Follow up on possible installations of new wireless links (including towers)
communication system
• AA 3.3.3: Identify and implement further possibilities of the internal BOSCO Network
14

15. 4. Research and Concept development for “ICT in Development”
SO 4.1: Research & Networking open for further definition and activities
SO 4.2: Concept development and small pilot projects open for further definition and activities
5. Organisational Development of BOSCO Uganda
• AA 5.1.1: Define fundraising needs of BOSCO Uganda
SO 5.1: Develop an effective fundraising strategy
• AA 5.1.2: Carry out regular needs assessments of BOSCO´s activities and write
proposals
• AA 5.1.3: Research and make contact with potential donors
• AA 5.1.4: Improve on BOSCO Uganda public relation through implementation of a
visibility campaign (Sign posts, brochures, etc.)
• AA 5.2.1: Work out all appointments and their points of reference
SO 5.2: Clarify and define the structure of BOSCO
Uganda • AA 5.2.2: Develop BOSCO Uganda staff regulations and financial policies
• AA 5.2.3: Define effective communications procedures within BOSCO Uganda and
between BOSCO Uganda and BOSCO US
15

16. "BREAKING THE SILENCE“
Giving a voice to the people
BOSCO Uganda
Battery Operated Systems for Community Outreach
Gulu Archdiocese
P.O.Box 200, Gulu, Uganda
Email: jokumu@bosco-uganda.org, Tel: +256 772 613 517
16