ADVERTORIAL

SPEAK UP, BE HEARD!
What is Ureport?
Ureport is a free SMS (text message) social
monitoring tool, designed to address issues
that the youth of Uganda care about. Ureport
allows young people to speak out on what
is happening in their community, provides
a forum to amplify their voice through local
and national media, and feeds back useful
information to assist Ureporters to use their
initiative, enact change and mobilize their
communities.
How does Ureport Work?
ƒ Through free SMS: Questions are sent
out to Ureporters, and Ureporters respond,
allowing information to be collected
instantaneously
ƒ Important information is sent back to the
Ureporters
ƒ Ideas and results are shared between
Ureporters all over the country to strengthen
community-led development and citizen
engagement
Currently Ureport is made up of weekly SMS
messages and poll questions. In future,
Ureport will share results of poll questions,
stories, and impact through regular radio
programmes and newspaper articles.
How to become a Ureporter
If you want to make a real difference in your community and
become part of the biggest social monitoring initiative in Uganda,
you just need to text “JOIN” to 8500 for free and follow the
instructions. All messages to and from Ureport are free!
Ureport: Making youth voices heard
The Future of Ureport
Our plan for the future is to work in
collaboration with as many youth organisations
and individual youths as possible. We
foresee having one Ureporter in every village
of Uganda, actively reporting on weekly poll
questions.
People should come together through Ureport
as one voice to make a change. This will
be strengthened and supported through the
release of regular media stories and reports
about what the Ureport community is saying,
and the latest results from poll questions,
using different media such as newspapers, the
internet, radio stations and television stations.
Relevant stakeholders who receive this
information, such as parliamentarians, will be
encouraged to take action on issues that arise
from Ureport.
Our hope is that Ureport will unite communities
and provide a sense of ownership, helping
community members take action on issues in
their environment to create a better Uganda for
everyone.
Interview with Mr. Kyateka F. Mondo, AG Commissioner Youth & Children’s
Affairs Department, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
Q: How important is it for the Youth of Uganda
to have the ability to speak out on issues
in their communities and have their voices
heard?
A: To give the Youth in communities the
opportunity to speak out on issues they care
about is actually not a favor. It is a right, their
right. We need to involve young people in
meaningful participation since they are the
ones building Uganda and significantly shaping
its future. We definitely need their voices.
Q: At the moment, how is the Government
made aware of Youth and community
issues?
A: We actually have several fora running across
the country and across Africa to provide a voice
to Youth. For instance, we have the National
Youth Council, last year’s African Youth Forum
which was held in Uganda, and newspapers
articles where people can rise up and speak.
Q: What do you think about the Ureport
initiative?
A: I do believe that Ureport is the perfect tool to
create Youth leadership. It will help to identify
community issues across the whole country
and provide young people with a forum to
express their thinking and ideas.
Q: How can this initiative be used to create
change, essentially benefitting the Youth
A Ureporter’s Experience
Full Name: Gabriel Odwori
Role in Scouting: Scout Leader
Unit/School: Valley Comprehensive
do. The High School, Mbale
Government
and its
Q: Where did you conduct your
leaders will Ureporting?
use Ureport A: I conducted my Ureporting in Mbale
as an in the village of Bumboi, Busamaga
Wanale.
instrument
for policy
Q: What issues were raised by the
direction, community you were reporting
justifying from?
plans and A: The issues raised were mainly
budget related to health and famine since
increase. these were slum areas where there
is poor sanitation, and how the
It will also
Government could move them away
allow us to
from such places. Unemployment
plan better
and drug addiction were also raised.
and ensure help and adequate solutions are
delivered to all, everywhere. Q: What was your experience like?
Was it interesting? What made it
Q: What do you expect from UNICEF and its so?
partners? A: My experience was interesting
A: We would like and need accurate data analyses because I came to learn about
many things through Ureport, such
to be sent to us, reporting key information
as vital health information, and
from trusted Ureporters. I would also request
issues of peace and elections.
UNICEF and its partners to explain clearly With the Ureport tips I had on
to Youth in communities what our common hand, I was able to easily interview
expectations should be. Even if immediate people in the community, explain
action is taken, issues will, unfortunately, not to them what Ureport is doing,
all be solved instantly and might need some that is, giving people a voice and
Scouts an opportunity to play a
time to be fixed. It is important to remind
constructive role in the community.
everyone that this initiative is a huge piece of
My confidence has also increased
collaboration between all of us - the Youth in
Ureport: New SMS monitoring to empower and change
information from them but nothing
is implemented; but after educating
them and telling them what Ureport
is all about, they volunteered to
give the information knowing the
Scouts and UNICEF will take action
to improve the conditions of living
especially health and poverty in
their communities. Some people
were excited by how simple it was
to send and receive messages and
inquired on how they can also join
(to become Ureporters).
However, some others thought that
if you became an Ureporter then
you would get financial assistance,
but after educating them, many said
they would encourage their children
to become Scouts as Ureport
gives vital health and educative
information which the Scouts can
use to educate members in the
community.
Q: What impact has Ureport had
on you? And on your fellow
Scouts with whom you share
experiences?
A: Ureport has had a positive impact on
me and other Scouts.
communities
The world’s demand for like other Ureporters to respond to, requests to be sent out to a distinct
communication has changed. making it a platform for a three-way audience.
Everyone wants to be heard flow of communication that is from
and to communicate about their the Ureport team to Ureporters, from A lot can be learnt through Ureport,
surrounding and what presses them Ureporters to Ureport team and from which is also a cheap means to
in their day-to-day life. A number of Ureporters to Ureporters. share key information and lessons
platforms have been innovated to with people in the communities.
help in this communications need, As a free service available to Ureporters are often asked to share
with social media networks like
facebook, myspace and orkut taking
the lead.
Uganda Scouts Association is one
of the largest youth movements in
Uganda, with a mission to educate
young people to play a constructive
role in their society. Scouts
works in bilateral and multilateral
partnerships to create synergy
as well as understand and tackle
challenges facing young people
in this fast moving, dynamic and
complex world. Similarly, Ureport
was born out of a partnership
between UNICEF and Uganda
Scouts Association, to provide
possibilities for ordinary people to
share their local experiences and
inform on what is taking place in
their community. Scouts would then anyone with a mobile phone that what they know about different
report these community experiences has basic SMS communication topics or issues they are asked
using a free SMS-based social capability, Ureport doubles as a about. In this way, information about
monitoring tool. tool for citizenship engagement campaigns, immunization, health,
in social development, and an feeding or nutrition is being passed
The Ureport partnership started emergency response system in on to households just at the press
in 2010, and has been tested by case of need. One of the most of a button, while their feedback is
members of the Uganda Scouts important components of Ureport is reflected immediately.

Uniting, through one voice, for a

and its communities?
A: I think this initiative will lead to strong citizen
engagement and mobilization from the Youth
communities, the Government, UNICEF and
other development partner - and thus we need
to make sure we are all clear on the possible
as I can now ably give tips for life to
my Scouts and even students in my Association in the over 100 its ability to map all the responses
districts across the country. It has with their locations, making it easier Ureport has the potential of
class. I also send out the Scouts to being used to investigate social
gather and share information in the proven to be a unique channel of for improved service delivery and

better Uganda
Youth are the future of the country. It is, therefore,
crucial for them to be involved in the sustainable
development of their communities, and to influence
decisions that affect their health and well-being.
All young people have the right, as well as a
responsibility, to talk about various issues affecting
their lives and to realize that their voice matters in
bringing about social change in a constructive and
participatory process.
across the country, amplifying and unifying their
voice into one. Their commitment to actively
participate and provide crucial information on
behalf of their community will create a better
environment for everyone.
Q: What do you see as the role of Ureport for
the Government?
A: Ureport will definitely influence what we will
achievements.
Q: What prediction do you have about
Ureport?
A: I am really impatient to get the first reports
Q: Did they know you were reporting
and see how the Youth engagement will grow
day after day. I do hope for a real change for
Uganda and its Youth citizens in the `coming
A: Many people initially refused
months and years.
communication from the people
homes, which makes my Scout unit
relevant to the community. I am sure to the people, and for supporting
the identification of key needs in
that in the long run we shall achieve
behaviour change. communities.
Since 2010, Uganda Scouts
Association has successfully used
on these issues? If so, how did
Ureport to identify the needs and
they react/respond?
expectations of young people,
assess and improve the motivation
to respond. Some people or
of adult leaders to contribute to the
organizations seek for help and
mission of Scouting, and to deliver
to mobilize resources and expertise
to solve any problems arising in
particular communities. According
to the Uganda Communications
Commission, Uganda has over 8.2
million wireless subscribers today,
which makes mobile phones a key
tool for development, social and
behavioural change communication.
Ureport also has the potential to
help in developmental research,
conditions, life experiences and
the psychological and social
development of children and
young people in Uganda from birth
through to adulthood. Ureport is
also used for social mobilization
such as during supplementary polio
immunization and the Child Days
Plus.
We, therefore, strongly believe that
the Ureport innovation is timely
since many institutions wish to

What are some examples of Ureport poll questions?

With this in mind, UNICEF, the Ugandan Scouts
Association, and partners have developed an
interactive tool called U-report, through which
“U-reporters” send and receive free questions and
feedback SMSs on important issues like safe water
provision and the quality of schools. By acting as
Dr. Sharad Sapra U-reporters, the youth will have their voices magnified
UNICEF Representative and heard.
The results of U-reports will be shared with decision-
makers and other stakeholders who can help implement change. U-reporters and stakeholders
both will then take action on the issues that are reflected in the poll results. This bottom-up
approach – through which the U-reporter magnifies his or her voice up to the decision maker
level – is one that empowers young people to make a difference and improve lives in their
Scout Ureporters from across Uganda are
currently reporting on issues like safe water
availability, access to handwashing facilities,
and walking distances to schools.
Our most recent poll is related to Child Days
Plus in Uganda, the nationwide public health
campaign. The poll question sent out was,
“Hello Ureporters! The 1st Child Days Plus
was April 1st! How can u help ur community
PROTECT & DEVELOP CHILDREN’S
vital information to Scouts country-
wide.
Currently over 800 Scouts are
• “Children are helped Ureporters, with an ultimate target
by encouraging proper to have at least one Ureporter in
feeding immunisation & every village in Uganda. Several
education.” polls have been conducted on
• “Through full water, sanitation and hygiene,
drought, and most recently on the
immunisation and
April 2011 Child Days Plus. Scouts
breastfeeding.” themselves have complete control
over the Ureport, including what
An example of a past poll information to provide and which
question: “Is there a safe questions or advice they would
water source within a 10
since it can be used to collect data.
Today, many NGO field workers
manually collect information,
entering information into a
centralised database over time
- for example, when returning to
headquarters. With the Ureport
tool, a single poll is sent out with
the required information, while
responses received via SMS from
a mobile phone in the field go to a
central database where they can be
aggregated, analysed and shared.
Using Ureport, target groups can
also be segmented, to enable
interact with people one-on-one
without bearing high costs. We,
therefore, encourage service
providers, government and
developmental organizations and
the people in general to embrace
Ureport and support its use in
Uganda.
Bravo to UNICEF and Uganda
Scouts Association for transforming
a mobile phone handset into a vital
tool for education in health, child
rights and social development!
By Uganda Scouts Association.

Partnering with Ureport

community. It is also an exercise that strengthens social monitoring and citizenship. HEALTH. Best responses will b shared!” minute walk from your
U-report ultimately helps young people realize their rights to be heard and to share information. Some of the free-form responses we home? Send a reply SMS
These are rights embodied in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, under Article 12 received include: with YES or NO (it’s free!)”
(Children have the right to give an opinion, and for adults to listen and take it seriously) and
Article 13 (Children have the right to get and to share information, as long as the information is Ureport is expanding and improving with the help of partners. Since September 2010, the Ugandan
• “Teach community about proper sanitation The results of the poll
not damaging to them or to others). Scouts Association has been working in collaboration with UNICEF, using the Ureport system to
& 2 encourage the community 2 provide showed that, in December
basic needs” 2010 60% of our Ureporters mobilize recruits; create dialogue and excitement; and report on what’s happening in their community
Youth of Uganda, I urge you to join U-report and take a first step toward creating a better
Uganda for yourselves, your families, and your friends. Together - the young, the government • “I will sensitise my community to that responded reported by establishing a vibrant two-way flow of communication, and using feedback information gathered by
and the development partners - we can achieve the necessary action to bring about immunise their children against the 6 killer they had access to safe Ureport in their core activities. Ureport is now being taken up by new partners like the youth clubs of
vital changes in every community. Become a U-reporter – and become a role model, a diseases, importance of a balanced diet water, 40% reported that BRAC, the Girls Education Movement, World Vision, and faith-based youth groups across Uganda.
representative for the people, and an agent for development. and the importance of using mosquito they did not.
nets and all other basic needs” If you represent a youth organization that is interested in partnering with UNICEF on the Ureport
initiative, please contact us at ureport8500@gmail.com
VOICE MATTERS