Ugandan Local Government Minister Responds to Tracfm Poll Data [question] on Improving Energy Service Delivery in Rwenzori sub-region, Western Uganda

The Uganda Minister of Local Government and also MP representing Bunyangabu County, Kabarole District, Hon. Adolf Mwesige has indicated that electricity will be extended to all the rural areas without access to electricity in the near future. “The first thing I did when I was elected to parliament [MP representing Bunyangabu County, Kabarole District] I made a plan of areas in need of electricity in Bunyangabu County.” Said Hon. Adolf.

He adds, “We started connecting trading centres with power lines and trading centres like Buheesi, Kibiito, Kabale, Kasunga Nyanja, Rubona, Kicuucu, etc are now fully connected with electricity because they are connecting centres where many businesses in need of electricity are located.” Said Minister Adolf.

Hon. Adolf Mwesige

We are now through with trading centres in Bunyangabu County, and we are now looking at ensuring the hinterland is also connected to electricity. We have started with Katebwa, Mukubwe, etc. We shall also extend to Kibata and Kanyegaramire among other areas in the hinterland of Bunyangabu.

While appearing on Orukurato live radio program on Hits FM on 6^th December 2014 to respond/give feedback on local citizens concerns about need for government's investment in rural electrification, the minister of local government appealed for citizens patience and also indicated that the government of Uganda has currently embarked on investing in the rural electrification program. “We have got money from the government of France for rural electrification program which cabinet has already passed and we are waiting for parliament approval and through this support many places located in Kabarole district will benefit like Kabahango, Kisomoro, Karambi and Rwengaju.” Said Minister Adolf.

Hon. Adolf Mwesige was giving accountability and also responding to the tracfm poll question titled, “How can the government improve service delivery in the energy/electricity sector?” http://tracfm.org/p/view/1226/  This poll attracted over 1,000 responded, with majority citizens (over 80%) indicating that they are not satisfied with how the distribution of electricity services are managed in the country. This is a new initiative by ToroDev and partners to advance evidence-based advocacy for improved service delivery and poverty reduction through the ICT convergence approach. The polls combine opportunities provided by broadcast media, mobile phone technology and online applications/internet

The Orukurato live radio radio discussion which is supported by Toro Development Network (ToroDev) in partnership with Hits FM was also attended by Mr. Gowon Yaqub – a local citizen. Listeners also participate in the program through call-ins, SMS and online on the Orukurato facebook group.

For instance Macura Florence from Kibiito called-in and requested the minister of Local Government to work on Busamba Road which he promised to lobby for. Tumwine from Kabonero Sub County also called in requesting the minister to extend water to Kasogi which the minister also promised to do.

The Orukurato Live radio discussions & Tracfm Poll Data Initiative is supported by SIDA/CIPESA, NED & Development Initiatives through DRT - Uganda. The live radio discussions to assess poll data collected through the ICT convergence approach is moderated by Kasigazi William Donanto

Kabarole district boss appeals for more funding to the roads sector

The District Chairperson Kabarole Mr. Richard Rwabuhinga has appealed to the central government leaders to increase funding to the roads sector to improve the livelihoods of the rural communities.

“Most of the sub counties in Kabarole district like Mugusu, Kicwamba, Buheesi, Hakibaale, etc get between UGX 6 to 8 million to support the road sector. What can that small amount of money help to improve the road sector in the entire sub county like Hakibaale? We are therefore appealing to our MPs and the responsible ministry to add us more money to improve the road sector.” Said Mr. Rwabuhinga.

While appearing on the ToroDev supported live radio discussion on accountability called orukurato on 22^nd November, 2014, the Kabarole district chairperson also apologized to the people of Kabarole for the poor state of the road networks.

Richard Rwabuhinga

“I need to apologise because our roads are not in a good state for instance Nyabukara – Harugongo road which we recently tried to work on but because of the heavy rains, the machines couldn’t effectively work on them. Kiburara – Geme, Kitarasa – Busaiga roads also have many potholes.” Said Mr. Rwabuhinga.

Listeners participated in the discussion through live call-ins and SMS for instance Kabadigidi from Mugusu Sub County appealed to the district chairperson to go to Kigaya and see for himself the poor state of the road.

Akugizibwe, a caller from Hakibaale Sub County requested the district chairperson for assistance to work on Kahangi – Kiburara road which is in a very poor state.

Edward, a caller from Kabarole district thanked the chairperson for coming on radio to give accountability and advised him to appeal to the minister of Local Government, Hon. Adolf Mwesige to lobby for improved funding to the road sector. Other listeners can also participate online via the orukurato facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1451619451731153/

The orukurato live radio discussion which is held every Saturday of the week (08:00 – 10:00pm) and moderated by Kasigazi william is supported by ToroDev in partnership with Hits FM, SIDA and NED.

“Insurance is not only for the rich” IRA Staff

The communications officer of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), Ms. Mariam Nalukuma has appealed to the local citizens in the Rwenzori Region, western Uganda not to view insurance as only meant for the rich. “with UGX 50,000 and above per month you can get an insurance package therefore, it’s important to note that insurance isn’t  for only the rich but for everyone” Said Mariam.

While participating on the orukurato live radio talkshow on Hits FM, Fort Portal on Saturday 15^th November, 2014 (08:00 – 10pm), mariam also warned local citizens who are interested in subscribing to any insurance package of their choice to always let their next of kin know to enable proper processing of their claims especially in times of sickness incase of life insurance.

Mr. Sande Protazio

The live radio discussion which was also attended by the IRA Assistant Director of market research, Mr. Sande Protazio who sensitized the radio listeners on the meaning of insurance and types of insurance, “Insurance means putting in place measures to safeguard loss or accident. However, to put in place such a safeguard, you must pay a premium to an insurance company. There are many insurance packages like workers compensation, home owner’s policy, etc” Said Sande.

“In Uganda, our incomes are very low and also the saving culture is very low but when you are registered with an insurance company for a particular package it is like paying rent. Therefore, it’s important to register for an insurance package to assist in properly planning for any eventuality for instance life insurance helps you to gracefully age” added sande.

Sande further appealed to the local citizens to report any cases of failure by insurance companies to fulfill people’s claims to IRA so that they can be dealt with, “If you are registered with an insurance company and subscribed to a package and the insurance company fails to fulfill kindly give us a call so that we can deal with it. We appeal to insurance companies to also pay their claims.”

During the 2 hour live radio program, listeners participate through call-ins, SMS, online for instance Edward a caller from Kabarole called in the radio program to understand more on insurance for SACCOs and other accidents like earthquakes which Mr. Sande answered saying that SACCOs or groups can purchase an insurance package from many insurance companies with a reduced cost compared to an individual because the risks for a group are always minimal.

  

The live radio discussion which was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Williams Donanto is supported by Toro Development Network (ToroDev) in partnership with SIDA, Mountains of the Moon University, Hits FM, BOU and GIZ.

Contact details of IRA incase of any claims complaints

More: 

Plot 5, Kyadondo Road, Nakasero. Legacy Towers, Block B, 2^nd Floor

P. O Box 22855, Kampala Uganda

Email: ira@ira.go.ug

Tel: 0312-266364/0414-346712/041-4253564

Web: http://www.ira.go.ug/

“Citizens are not well sensitized on the role of MPs” Rwamuhumbu

Mr. Rwamuhumbu Davis, an opinion leader from Kabarole district, Western Uganda has indicated that there is increased ignorance from citizens on the role of their leaders because citizens are not well sinsitised about the constitution.

Mr. Rwamuhumbu was participating on the Orukurato live radio discussion supported by ToroDev on Hits FM, Fort Portal which was broadcast on 8^th November, 2014 (08:00 – 10:00pm). The topic for discussion was, “What are the roles of Members of Parliament”.

The discussion topic was in response to the tracfm poll question titled, “As a citizen of Uganda, what is the role you expect from your Members of Parliament? Available online at http://tracfm.org/p/view/1178/

Uganda Parliament

“Citizens are not well sensitized on the role of their Members of Parliament. The roles of MPs are in the 1995 Uganda constitution however; our leaders haven’t also taken keen interest to educate the local citizens on the constitution. When leaders are looking for votes, they promise heaven on earth.” Said Rwamuhumbu

Rwamuhumbu cited examples of the empty promises leaders tell the local citizens while looking for votes like construction of roads, bridges, hospitals and schools among others.

“An MP doesn’t construct roads, hospitals, schools, among other things. He/she can only lobby for bigger budgeting for sectors like road construction, health and education improvement, etc. He/she can also legislate better laws to improve service delivery” Added Rwamuhumbu.

Listeners participated through call-ins, SMS and online for instance Bataringaya, a caller from Kabarole district who indicated that the problem is not ignorance of the laws but poverty from the local citizens. Mwesige, a caller from Njara – Fort Portal Municipality called live and asked why most of the issues discussed by MPs in parliament aren’t implemented?   

  

The Orukurato live radio discussion which is moderated by Kasigazi Willy Donanto and supported by SIDA and NED.  

It is important to have a budget, says expert

The Business Lecturer Mountains of the Moon University, Mr. Mawenu Vicent has appealed local citizens especially in the Rwenzori Region to have a budget to enable them reduce wasteful expenditure and hence improve on their livelihoods.

“It’s important to have a budget, it’s also important to have the discipline to stick to your budget because it will assist you control wasteful spending. It’s also important for people to identify and plan for their basic necessities of life early like feeding, clothing, housing, etc so that they can be able to fulfill them in time to have a better life.” Said Mawenu.

A sample of the Uganda Currency (UGX 50,000)

Mawenu was discussing a topic titled, “personal financial management” on Sunday, 2^nd November, 2014 at the Listeners Forum live radio discussion on Better FM, Fort Portal which is supported by Toro Development Network (ToroDev).

The discussion which was also attended by Ms. Kenema Revocate – a researcher on financial literacy issues who appealed to the local citizens to develop a culture of saving to fight poverty, “we need to instill in ourselves a culture of saving and we don’t need to start with a lot of money for instance if you have UGX 10,000, you can start by saving UGX 2,000 and go on increasing because one by one makes a bundle.” Said Revocate.

Revocate further highlighted that the culture of saving in Uganda is still very low which has led to increased poverty in the country, “recent research conducted indicates that only 17 percent of the Uganda population keep their money in banks supervised by Bank of Uganda, 60 percent keep their money in their homes for instance under their mattresses which is not healthy and the excuse they always give for not saving is because they are poor, if they are poor then where do they get money to meet their basic necessities of life?.” Said Revocate.

To reduce poverty especially in the rural areas of Uganda, ToroDev in partnership with Bank of Uganda, GIZ and Mountains of the Moon University, Fort Portal has rolled out two live radio discussions on financial literacy every month of Hits FM and Better FM.

During the live radio discussions, topics on personal financial management, savings, investments, loans, planning for retirement, insurance, etc will be discussed and local citizens, leaders and experts on financial literacy will be participating in the discussions.