Google Maps, a web mapping platform and consumer application offered by Google, is currently the top navigation app out there. Google has put a lot of effort into keeping location information displayed to users as accurate as possible. However, in Rwanda, the app is still unreliable for some, considering the glitches they encounter when using it. Vivens Uwizeyimana, a software engineer and founder of Umurava Works, rates Google maps’ accuracy at a low saying that it’s only a few people who can manage to use it. There are still people who don’t know how to use the app, he said, observing that it’s mostly literate people, those who are highly skilled, or those who live in the diaspora who are able to use the app. However, other people find it so hard to locate or reach where they are going when they are referring to Google Maps. A lot is still needed to ensure that the app is as accurate as possible in the country, the software engineer noted. “For instance,” Uwizeyimana said, “If Yego moto in partnership with the City of Kigali as well as Google can run the training for all moto drivers who are based in Kigali, it can be a nice opportunity for most of the motor drivers to understand the proper way of using it.” “The drivers,” he continued, “Should go through the same training. That’s a soft skill that will benefit a lot of citizens in the City of Kigali.” Uwizeyimana suggested that Google Maps can also add more pictures of particular locations, making it easier for users to easily find and recognise them. For some people in Kigali, Google Maps is mostly dependable when heading to popular destinations. According to Sandra Nadege Uwayezu, who likes using the navigation app, service providers like motorists are not familiar with the app. She noted that even some streets and houses do not have numbers which she said makes it hard when relying on the app for directions. “In the outskirts of Kigali,” she continued, “I cannot use Google Maps unless there are some known places. Well, many businesses are not even found on the map and all houses do not have numbers, maybe due to concentrated housing.” Uwayezu also called for awareness so that people can master how to use the app, adding that damaged signposts should also be fixed. Lise Berwadushime, another Google Map user said it requires one to have knowledge of how to use the app otherwise it can mislead them. For her to locate places that can’t be traced on the map, she needs to first find a place that’s famous or found on the map that is close to her destination, and this is what guides her to reach her destination. Google Maps usually estimates one’s current location from sources like GPS where it uses satellites to around 20 meters and it is sometimes inaccurate when the user is inside buildings or underground. It also uses nearby Wi-Fi networks and cell towers where one’s connection to mobile data can be accurate up to a few thousand meters, according to Google. Bruce Mugwaneza, a programmer, said that the inaccuracy of the app can also depend on the information people have put on the location which is sometimes false, adding that sometimes a business moves but the location doesn’t change on the map which can mislead people. He added: “I think what can be done is to double check the locations. People have to suggest corrections to Google in case of misinformation at a particular destination.”
