Changing perceptions of public libraries
Communities across Uganda are served by over 150 public and community libraries. The National Library of Uganda (NLU) sets policies, standards and guidelines for these libraries, advocates for resourcing of libraries, and provides training for librarians. From early on the NLU has been our main partner in working with libraries in Uganda.
In 2012, guided by the findings of the EIFL study, ‘Perceptions of Public Libraries in Uganda’, EIFL and the NLU embarked on a strategy to change government and public perceptions of public libraries. The strategy combined three elements: developing new library services using ICT to serve community needs; building the capacity of librarians to use ICT effectively in services and training, and an advocacy campaign that specifically targeted national government ministries and agencies.
Between 2012 and 2015, EIFL provided small grants to support seven public and community library projects that introduced ICT into services targeting farmers, unemployed young people and rural women. Short case studies based on the projects, showing the impact of ICT-enabled public libraries, have been helpful in changing perceptions of key stakeholders.
Our capacity building initiative, starting in 2014, targeted libraries that already had or that were about to receive computers and internet connections for public use. Our aim was to ensure that librarians were ready to use their new equipment effectively, and the training curriculum included basic and advanced ICT skills for librarians, new service development and management skills, and training and facilitation skills.
EIFL and the NLU used mounting evidence of the positive impact of ICT in public and community library services in advocacy at the national level to improve resourcing of libraries. Over time, this worked, and doors began to open. In 2018 the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the government agency mandated to develop a modern communications sector in Uganda and to expand rural communications, agreed to support a small pilot project that involved equipping three public and community libraries with computers and internet connections for public use.
The pilot project, with Pallisa Public Library in Eastern Region, Hoima Public Library in Western Region and Nakaseke Community Library in Central Region, was a success. It led to the formal inclusion of public and community libraries in annual ICT roll-outs funded by Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), which is managed by the UCC. In relation to this, EIFL and the NLU committed to ongoing training of librarians at newly-equipped libraries to ensure that the equipment would be integrated into services.
From 2019 onwards, public and community libraries received annual allocations of digital technology from the UCC. By the end of 2024 the UCC had installed packages of digital equipment at 39 public and community libraries, and 30 more libraries have been earmarked for the UCC’s roll-out in 2025. The UCC equipment packages are comprehensive: each library receives 10 computers, plus wireless internet, a printer, a scanner and a photocopier.
“Over the next five years, the UCC's strategic plan focuses on enhancing ICT infrastructure in approximately 100 public and community libraries. We believe this will help bring ICT access to underserved and vulnerable communities, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-income populations. We are also very happy to see libraries actively conducting digital skills training for local communities," said James Beronda, Director of UCUSAF at the UCC.
Major national project
In 2021, EIFL and partners, including the NLU and the Uganda-based NGO Maendeleo Foundation, launched a new national project, ‘Digital skills and inclusion through libraries in Uganda’. This project included more libraries that had received equipment from the UCC. It trained librarians from 27 libraries serving urban, peri-urban and rural communities to build digital skills of two especially marginalized groups - women and unemployed youth. Skilled librarians provided training in digital and mobile literacy and introduced trainees to free online learning opportunities.
“We use ICT training to introduce useful online resources such as courses, tutorials and YouTube videos. This allows people to learn new skills and generate income or diversify what their business can offer,” says Peter Balaba, a librarian at Nakaseke Public Library.
In just two years, 50 librarians and library volunteers from the 27 libraries provided digital and mobile information literacy training, covering basic ICT skills, internet searching, digital marketing, Google tools and online safety, to over 22,000 people. Of these, 1,500 enrolled for online courses on topics including entrepreneurship, computer coding and web design, repairing digital equipment, hairdressing and tailoring.
Libraries reported receiving requests for ICT training from government departments, police, health service providers, schools and other local institutions. “The fact that our local authorities value the training programme in the library so highly influences the community to see it as a valuable activity that can help them in future. The leaders do mobilization in various communities urging people to take part in the training; parents also appreciate the services, and there is a lot of excitement in our community,” said Mathew Olowo, Librarian at Bugiri Public Library in Uganda’s Eastern Region.
Libraries making a lasting impact
Public access ICT and training are making a lasting impact in communities. Library trainees are using their new ICT skills to start small businesses, find jobs, get promoted, research the internet for ideas and information, study further and learn new technical and craft-making skills.
Kawempe Youth Centre, Central Region
To improve her performance in ICT at school Nattembo Hadijjah joined the digital skills programme at Kawempe Youth Centre during the holidays. “We were supported with digital knowledge and equipped with hands-on computer skills which I later-on applied in my academics and final computer examinations. I am happy and proud that thanks to this training I was able to successfully pass my ICT exam with a distinction.”
Kabale Public Library, Western Region
The ICT trainer at Kabale Public Library, Omuntuwabantu Mutahunga Bana, told us that one of their trainees is using skills that he learnt online to repair computer equipment, like screens and mice, and domestic items, like irons. The young man, Martin Kakuru, works part time at a small shop where he generates income by taking in items for repair.
Pallisa Public Library, Eastern Region
Another librarian and trainer, Stella Amuleni from Pallisa Public Library, spoke about 20 keen young potters who completed digital literacy training at the library and researched the internet to find new pot designs and learn new potting methods. “They were used to making just one type of pot. Now they have started to make pots in different shapes and colours.”
Koboko Resource Centre, Northern Region
Koboko Resource Centre has helped Brenda to change her life. Brenda left school due to pregnancy in 2020 and her parents could not support her to continue her studies. She enrolled for basic ICT training at her local library and completed the course. Afterwards, Brenda joined a group at the library studying a free online course for a certificate in hair care, make-up, and beauty. “This course changed her life, and she now works in a beauty Salon in Koboko Town, earning a salary,” says librarian Peterlee Guma.
A sustainable future
The new energy in public and community libraries has attracted partnerships in the private sector. Absa Bank Uganda, American Tower Corporation (ATC) Uganda, MTN and Airtel Uganda have partnered with NLU by donating computers and internet connectivity to libraries and in some cases renovating and furnishing library buildings to accommodate digital community spaces. ATC Uganda has also included libraries in their Digital Communities programme and engaged librarians to provide ICT training for communities on a regular basis.
“We cannot overestimate the good partnership and strong contribution of the UCC and other development partners, like EIFL, without which we would not have achieved this level of ICT resourcing. Public and community libraries are now recognized as partners in achieving national, regional and international development goals for universal access to information and ICT. And we are attracting new partners and partnerships. This growing network of support strengthens our ability to reach even more people and communities,” said Adonia Katungisa, Director of NLU.
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