Citizens demand for more accountability

Local Citizens in the Rwenzori Region have appealed to the local leaders to strengthen their accountability mechanisms to ensure improved service delivery. The local citizens made the call during discussions on the ‘Listeners Forum’ radio talkshow on Better FM on Sunday, 7^th July 2013 under the theme, “Improving service delivery in Uganda; A case of Rwenzori Region.” Local citizens participated in the radio discussion through call-ins and SMS.

“Kyenjojo leaders should give accountability to ensure better services,” said Alero a caller from Kyenjojo District. “ToroDev should put in more effort to ensure that leaders give accountability. Our leaders in Hakibaale don’t give use accountability,” said Mugisa Moses a caller from Hakibaale Sub County, Kabarole District. “What is worsening service delivery is long stay in leadership without proper accountability systems,” said Baluku Israel from Kasese. “Before working on roads, put the information on notice boards,” said Latif Magunga from Mugusu Sub County, Kabarole District

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ToroDev staff, Solomon Akugizibwe who participated on the radio discussions to sensitise local citizens on service delivery and accountability appealed to the local citizens to organise themselves into rural advocacy forums to effectively monitor service delivery and participate in planning and budgeting processes.

Akugizibwe also highlighted the factors affecting service delivery as corruption, huge administrative expenditure by the government, limited participation of the local citizens in planning and budgeting processes among others.

During the two hour live radio discussion on accountability, ToroDev staff also appealed to the government through the electoral commission to strengthen their civic education programmes so that local citizens’ can be aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Akugizibwe also appealed to the local leaders to ensure improved access to information by the local citizens through making the Bills of Quantities (BOQs) public and other government information related to budgeting and planning. Public access to information will ease government work since local citizens will effectively participate in monitoring government projects. When local citizens are aware, they will also effectively participate in government planning, budgeting and decision making.