SECTOR 2 where people already had access to the Internet and other ICTs. “Then so many telecentres have closed because of lack of money and electricity. So the policy is there, but the practice falls short.” Other panellists disagreed. The policies were being implemented, they said. Rather it was the promotion of these efforts that fell short, and created the impression that nothing was being done. The UCC has erected masts across the country and given them to the telecoms providers. However, there has been little publicity about this. The Rural Communications Development Fund supports the rollout of telecommunications to under serviced areas and each telecommunications company is supposed to allocate one per cent of their revenue to the fund. “There has been a deliberate effort, and perhaps it’s about civil society holding government accountable. The money and the policy instruments are there.” Meanwhile, the National Information Technology Authority has done a lot to develop a national telecommunications backbone and e-governance. ”But we have serious problems in the laying of the national backbone: problems with the kinds of cable being laid, and how the cable is being laid. In the media we continue to show these things, but the government does not do anything to correct these things.” “Even if ICTs are put in place, what assurance do we have that the marginalised can afford to use them?” another panellist asked. “Service providers have a monopoly and therefore services remain expensive.” Little consideration has been given to the needs of blind people in both the policy and the application of ICTs. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 40 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2012 2.7 (2010: 4.2; 2007: n/a)