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About Us
Internet Access & Digital Literacy
Internet Access & Digital Literacy
Crisis in Uganda
Across rural Uganda, access to computers, affordable internet, and digital skills remains severely limited. While computer studies are compulsory under Uganda’s national curriculum, many students encounter a computer for the first time sometimes only days before sitting for high-stakes national exams required for advancement through, and graduation from high school.
Beyond education, lack of digital access affects livelihoods and health. Farmers without internet connectivity are vulnerable to exploitation by monopoly buyers due to the absence of real-time market information. Medical centres rely on inefficient paper-based systems that delay care and increase the risk of errors. Entire rural communities remain excluded from the digital economy and the opportunities it provides.
Internet For humanity exists to close this gap by ensuring rural schools, farmer cooperatives, and health centres can access the tools, connectivity, and skills needed to thrive in a digital world.
Our Foundation
Our Guiding Principles
Mission
To expand equitable access to digital tools, internet connectivity, and practical digital literacy for underserved communities in Uganda, enabling education, economic opportunity, and improved health outcomes.
Vision
A Uganda where rural communities participate fully in the digital economy and where access to technology drives dignity, opportunity, and long-term empowerment.
Our Values
Equity
Practical Impact
Community Partnership
Accountability
Sustainability
Our Approach
Our Theory of Change
IF
Internet for Humanity equips under-resourced schools, farmers’ cooperatives, and health centres with affordable ICT Centres, computers, internet access, and basic digital literacy training…
AND
supports each of these beneficiary groups with fit-for-purpose digital systems, such as school computer labs for exam preparation, farmer market access platforms, and medical record digitization…
THEN
students will gain essential computer skills and pass national exams,
farmers will access fair markets and improve their incomes,
clinics will deliver faster, more accurate patient care…
SO THAT
rural communities gain equal access to education, economic opportunity, and essential digital services, breaking cycles of poverty and advancing long-term social and economic empowerment.
I4H’s Journey So Far
Our Story
Internet For Humanity was founded in 2004 in Canada by Mr. Robert Porter, initially operating in Zambia to improve access to the internet and digital in underserved communities.
2025
Major Achievement
320+ Installations
1,000+ Direct Beneficiaries Per Installation
Internet for Humanity (I4H) reaches a major achievement. Over 320 of our basic “Five-Computer Information/Communications Technology Centres” (5C ITCTs) have been installed, and are all currently active! Each site serves at least 800 direct beneficiaries; the average is over 1,000 direct beneficiaries; the I4H installation at Manyakabi Women Farmers Co-op, installed in 2013, continues to benefit over 8,000 member farmers!
2024
I4H Charts New Direction.
Pivotel sponsorship terminates. Robert T negotiates 60% discount on unlimited internet-data plans for I4H sites from ISP providers MTN & Airtel. Very complex data-compression no longer required to make cost sustainable for beneficiaries.
2023
Major Expansion
34 new sites added. About 50,000 more students are enabled to complete high school. 40 Pivotel optimizers (donations from ’20 & ’21) retro-fitted into existing I4H sites.(Pivotel bought GMN).
2022
World Bank Recognition & Grant
Digital connectivity provided by I4H enables Buthale Babughirana Cooperative to win a World Bank supported development project. I4H also receives $20,000 grant from CPPS Heritage Mission Fund.
2018
I4H Adds Candidate Beneficiary Screening
To solve the issues of ICT abuse and abandonment, I4H initiates rigorous screening of candidate beneficiaries. Beneficiaries must now co-invest 25% cost, guarantee facility security, and guarantee onsite administrators (which I4H trains)
2017
I4H Adds Healthcare Focus
I4H adds 4 sites: 3 pharmacies who supply medications at below-market rates to medical clinics, who serve low income patients, a second Medical Clinic specializing in serving low-income patients. There are now 15 Operating systems.
2016
Rebranding & Expansion
Recognizing the name REMCU is no longer appropriate, we formally change our name to Internet For Humanity Society (I4H). I4H Installs 4 new systems: our 4th High School, 1st Medical Clinic, 5th Farmer Co-op & 1st Credit Union. There are now 11 Operating Systems
2015
Scaling Up Impact
REMCU has installed more than 15 mini-computer labs at schools and farmer co-ops. The latter enable farmers to become computer literate, market their produce effectively, and even diagnose and treat crop and animal diseases. Several systems have been abused and are abandoned.
2011
LifeWater Partnership & Key Team Member
LifeWater International, approaches REMCU to install demonstration e-mail systems at 2 schools and a farmers’ co-op in Uganda. At the first School, Robert P meets Robert Tabula, the biology teacher, who becomes the indispensible core of REMCU in Uganda.
2009
Global Marine Networks Partnership
REMCU enters an agreement with Global Marine Networks (GMN) to distribute GMN’s highly compressed/optimized e-mail and web-browsing programs (XGate and XWeb) to humanitarian beneficiaries. This very cost-effective system is also very complicated, requiring several days of administrator training.
2007
REMCU HF-Radio-E-Mail
REMCU operates an HF-Radio-E-Mail system with base at ZFDS, and remote sites throughout Zambia and Mozambique. Several lives are directly saved during a major flood on the Zambezi River at the town of Sena, Mozambique.
2006
REMCU Incorporated
Robert P & Nzola incorporate Radio-E-Mail Connections Unlimited Society (REMCU) as a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Charity to implement HF-Radio e-mail systems in developing world.
2004
The Beginning
Robert Porter & Nzolantima Swasisa are sponsored by Rotary Club of Calgary South to install a demonstration HF-Radio-E-Mail system for 8 remote medical clinics operated by Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS).
Evolution & Impact
Over time, I4H evolved from donating computers to building affordable, sustainable ICT Centres supported by training, connectivity negotiations, and local capacity building. Today, I4H delivers multi-sector digital empowerment across education, agriculture, and healthcare.
Demand continues to outpace available funding, with hundreds of qualified institutions on waiting lists across Uganda.
Our Focus
Our Goals
Five key objectives driving our mission to bridge the digital divide
01
Digital Skills for Rural Students
02
Fair Markets for Farmers
03
Enhanced Rural Healthcare
04
Affordable Internet Access
05
Scale Community-Managed ICT Centres
Leadership
Meet Our Team
The passionate individuals driving our mission forward
Robert Porter
FounderRobert was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada, 1953. He graduated Weyburn Collegiate high school, 1971, Saint Olaf College Bachelor of Arts (Physics), 1974, and University of Texas (Austin) Masters of Science (Acoustics), 1981. Robert resides in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada.
"Every ICT Centre we build is a doorway to opportunity for entire communities."
Tabula Robert
Programs DirectorRobert was born in Nawangisa, Iganga District, Uganda, 1989. He graduated Jinja Senior Secondary high school, 2006, Makerere University (Jinja) Bachelor of Science (Education), 2009, and Busoga University (Iganga) Bachelor of Science (Computer Technology), 2013. Robert resides in Kasangati, Wakiso District, Uganda.
"Real change happens when communities take ownership of their digital journey."
Ntono Moreen
Administrative DirectorMoreen was born in Buyala Budondo, Jinja District, Uganda, 1990. She graduated Trinity College Buwagi high school, 2009, and Busoga University (Iganga) Bachelor Arts (info management), 2012. Moreen resides in Kasangati, Wakiso District, Uganda.
"Technology is the great equalizer—our job is to ensure everyone has access to it."
Join Our Growing Team
We're always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference. Whether you're interested in technology, community development, or fundraising, there's a place for you at I4H.
