Radio programs improve service delivery in Kabarole District.

Accountability radio talkshows supported by ToroDev on Better and HITS FM Radio stations have improved service delivery especially in agricultural sector development and policy in Kicwamba Sub County, Kabarole District. The two live radio talkshows are broadcasted on HITS and Better FM every Saturday and Sunday for two hours.  

During their participation on the live radio discussions since January 2013 by ‘rural monitors’ and local citizens from Kicwamba Sub County organized under their local rural advocacy forum called Kicwamba Forum for Development and Service Delivery Advocacy Forum, they have lobbied for better service delivery. “We lobbied for better services for the NAADS program from our leaders through the radio programs and the accountability workshops and later, goats, banana seedlings and coffee seedlings were delivered to the people.” Says Rwaheru Gilbert, the Chairman of Kicwamba Forum for Development and Service Delivery Advocacy Forum.

During the live radio discussions, panelists also advocated for increased budget allocations to the agricultural sector and improving the quality of seeds and animal breeds supplied to the rural farmers.

During the call-ins and SMS discussions from the local participants on the radio talkshows, it was also proposed by the talkshow listeners that a meeting be held to enable more engagement between the local leaders and local citizens to improve service delivery which was held in May, 2013. The meeting was attended by local leaders and local citizens discussing their priority service delivery issues and demanding accountability from local leaders.

During the meeting, the Sub County Chairperson promised to improve the quality of the NAADS service delivery. The chairperson also promised to extend the NAADS program to areas where it doesn’t exist and also increase the number of beneficiaries, “We are trying to lobby for money from the district so that we deliver quality NAADS services such as goats and seedlings to the local people. We also hope that the NAADS program will be extended and beneficiaries increased.” Says Mr. Businge Charles, the Chairperson Kicwamba Sub County.

Documented by Rachael Kogere