Local citizens advocate for pro-people policies in parliament

Local citizens in the Rwenzori region have appealed to their members of parliament to focus on making pro-people policies and laws aimed at strengthening the priority sectors like agriculture, health, roads, water and education among others. The appeal was made on the ‘Orukurato’ radio discussions on Hits FM, Fort Portal. The 2 hour weekly radio discussion on accountability was held on 27^th July, 2013.

“There is increased poverty especially in the rural areas because of poor legislation and oversight by members of parliament” Said Hon. Businge Prosper, the District Councillor South Division Fort Portal Municipality. Hon. Businge adds, “They (MPs) have abandoned their primary roles of legislature, oversight and lobbying to concentrate on burials and fundraisings.”

Uganda Parliament

Hon. Businge also appealed to the local citizens to desist from exerting too much financial pressures on their MPs to ensure that they have appropriate time and resources to legislate appropriate pro-people laws and policies which will get local citizens out of poverty without being compromised by the executive with bribes. “Local people are also forcing MPs to make mistakes because of exerting too much financial pressures on them.” Said Hon. Businge Prosper.

The radio discussion which is supported by ToroDev in partnership with HITS FM was also attended by Byabazaire John (a local citizen). Listeners also participated in the discussions through call-ins and SMS for 30 minutes. The topic for the discussion was, “Parliament in proper accountability for its electorates. Are MPs still on track?”

Byabazaire appealed to the MPs to focus on developing the agricultural sector to effectively improve the livelihoods of the majority citizens who are engaged in the sector, “What do our MPs discuss? Agricultural sector is the biggest economic activity in the country but gets less funding. All our demonstration farms like Rubona and Kyembogo have died out due to poor policies and limited funding.” Said Byabazaire John.

“Our MPs should give priority to the development of the agricultural sector through increased budgetary allocations and better policies and laws so that unemployment rates especially among the youth are considerably reduced.” Adds Byabazaire John.

Local citizens, who participated in the discussions through call-ins and SMS appealed to the MPs to ensure participatory governance, give priority to the key sectors and avoid influence from the executive. “Our MPs are not aware of the issues affecting us because they don’t consult us,” Said Mugisa Moses, a caller from Hakibaale, Kabarole District.

“Our MPs are highly influenced by the executive which affects their performance,” Said Wilson. “Voters are making mistakes by voting people who are not competent and without manifestos highlighting the priority sectors they will work on during their term of office.” Said Edward, a caller from Kabarole District.