SOUTHERN PROVINCE RUHANGO — Residents of Ruhango district are in dire need of internet services after a couple of internet cafés closed business since last August. A recent mini survey conducted by The New Times, established that most residents, especially students, are forced to travel to Muhanga and Nyanza districts to access internet services. The residents have called on private investors to invest in internet business in the area, saying there is a great potential for returns on investing in such a venture. The survey also established that some businesses that rely on internet for most of their operations have been pushed out of business.It is only Ruhango district which is not affected because the district server remains operational. Some residents including area reporters are depending on wireless connection. Before, the area had at least two internet cafés which were opened after the surprise closure of one of the biggest service provider Rocket 2020. Rocket 2020 had brought alot of hope for residents in the entire Southern Province after promising quick and reliable internet services, after opening its doors in October 2006. They had planned to open about 100 Tele-centers countrywide, and they already had six which were operating in Nyanza, Ruhango, Huye, Kabuga and Muhanga. The closing down of internet cafes in Ruhango has been attributed to consistent internet failures from internet providers - which had reportedly led operators to register losses. ‘Without internet connection we are cut off from the rest of the world and it’s a pity that the whole district lacks a cyber café for months’, Jean Pierre Twizeyeyezu, a radio reporter said. Other residents appealed to the district to intervene and provide Internet services in order to encourage the use of ICT. Catherine Mukayire, the Ruhango vice Mayor in-charge of economic affairs, said she was not aware of the issue, but insisted that the ball is in the court of the private sector because the district encourages ICT service provisions for residents. She however, added that the district has plans to open a Tele-center in Byimana Sector in the near future and the tender bids have already been announced. Ends
