Exploring technology design among mobile entrepreneurs in Kampala: An open space workshop

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are located at the center of international development and considered vital for the progress of the current sustainable development goals. ICTs are embedded in cultural structures and social norms, which provide both possibilities and challenges to the people working with technologies such as mobile phones. Drawing upon theories and methodologies of feminist and postcolonial technosciences, my research objective is an exploration of how young entrepreneurs in Uganda affect and are affected by technology design. This article is based on conversations from an Open space workshop that took place at a tech hub in Kampala in 2012. The theme of the workshop was “The mobile futures of Uganda: sharing visions and challenges for today and tomorrow.” The workshop discussions showcase how norms and values are embedded in technology design and how colonial relationships still linger and affect contemporary design and technology practices. Together with my empirical material, I perform technoscientific stories that discuss challenges in entrepreneurship, working in software development and user design practices. I argue that studying the social and political dimensions of technology design is crucial for forming more inclusive and heterogeneous ICT practices.