Uganda

World Links was instrumental in helping to establish Schoolnet Uganda, the first NGO in the country dedicated to information technology and education. Starting in late 2000, schools in the greater Kampala area have been connected to the Internet via wireless microwave modems, which has substantially reduced the costs of Internet access while offering greatly enhanced connectivty.

In a pioneering, first-ever satellite-based school connectivity pilot in Africa, World Links and Schools Online have teamed up to connect 15 rural Ugandan schools to the Internet. Schools Online contributed computers and networking equipment (such as routers and networking cards) to establish Internet Learning Centers in the fifteen schools, while World Links provided satellite-based connectivity utilizing VSATs (with the support of the Gates Foundation), teacher professional development, technical and pedagogical coordination and evaluation. In addition, World Links is financing additional training for local community members, so they can access the schools' Internet Learning Centers during non-school hours, thereby expanding the development impact of the Internet Learning Centers and enhancing the Centers' financial sustainability.

The World Links program in Uganda would like to thank the following organizations for their support: Celtel Cellular, Computer Applications Limited, Gates Foundation, IDRC - Acacia Initiative, Ministry of Education, Pan World Insurance Co. Ltd.,Schools Online, Uganda Online.