UGANDA: USCCB boosts UEC Social Communications Department with new media equipment
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has boosted the Social Communications Department of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) with a grant worth $15,000 (UGX 54.4M) for the purchase of new media equipment.
Baptist Kauta (right) and the Executive Secretary of the UEC Social
Communication Department, Rev. Fr. Philip Odii inspects the new media
equipment upon delivery.
The department received the grant in 2017 from USCCB’s Pastoral Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa. The new media equipment procured includes three Desktop Computers, two Laptops, one Camera for still photographs, one Video Camera and one Printer. Others are: one Photocopier, one LCD Projector, one Power Stabilizer and three APC Battery Backup and Surge Protectors, all aimed at improving the efficiency of the SCD.
In an interview conducted recently, the Executive Secretary of the UEC Social Communications Department (SCD), Rev. Fr. Philip Odii, lauded the USCCB for the grant adding that the equipment will strengthen the capacity of the department to communicate effectively.
“We are grateful to the USCCB for their continued support to our department,” said Fr. Philip adding “This is in line with the Department’s Strategic Direction 4, namely, promoting the use of digital technology in evangelization and development activities of the Catholic Church in Uganda.”
He described the arrival of the items as timely noting that the Department is already using themedia equipment to enhance the publication of the Online Magazine (New Contact) of Uganda Episcopal Conference and to improve information sharing for effective evangelization and development in Uganda.
He also said that the desktop computers and laptops are being used by the department staff for their daily office work and media activities which include writing and editing news stories/articles for the Online Magazine.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time for the USCCB through its Pastoral Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa to donate grants to the SCD. In 2008, the USCCB donated funds for the purchase of two computers, a photocopier, printer and projector, which have now become old and are not functioning properly.
The SCD also received another grant in 2009 to facilitate a workshop for Catholic Communicators in Uganda on promoting Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.
By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, UEC
