Hundreds of South Sudanese refugees in Eden Refugee settlement in Northern Uganda are undergoing information communication technology training services.

The free ICT packages are being provided by a local community-based organisation, Community Technology Network (CTEN).

Bidal Manase, one of the refugees, told Radio Tamazuj that the facility is providing much needed ICT skills enabling them to use the internet for communication.

“When I ran from South Sudan, I did not know how to use the internet and other computer packages. Today I am happy because I now know how to use computer and also communicate to family relatives using the internet,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nyoka Dina says the ICT training is helping her a lot. “We are not only learning the community but when we come together our trainers used their skills to pass health, peace and agricultural messages using their projectors. So I am extremely happy to know more from this ICT education.”

For his part, CTEN’S executive director Peter Batali told Radio Tamazuj that the centre is also playing a major role connecting lost refugees to their relatives and conveying the concerns of the refugees to the humanitarian partners.

“We use technology to reach knowledge and messages to the people both in the camps and the host community,” he said. Peter reiterated that they are working to introduce similar services to other refugee camps in Uganda.

But he decried lack of logistical support, enough computers, quality infrastructure, stable power source and fuel to execute their services to the refugees.

Peter calls on partners to join hands and support the centre so as to reach out information and communication through the ICT-community based facility.