“Some of our women get miscarriages due to the poor health services”, Kabakumbya Jane

On 11^th March 2014, local citizens of Rukora Parish, Bweramule Sub County in Ntoroko District showed their out cry over the poor service delivery in their parish. This was during the rural radio debate conducted by Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred, a moderator of the ‘Listeners Forum’ on Better FM, a radio discussion that is sponsored by ToroDev. “Our leaders have not fulfilled what they promised, we have only one bore hole in the whole parish. Services at the health center are also poor with no staffs working at night since they all sleep in  Rwebisengo Sub County”, said Kisembo, “We have only one tap in the whole parish which is not enough for the many homes, this has made many people use water from River Semuliki which is not safe. Our health center II also doesn’t have a mid wife which has caused a lot of miscarriages among pregnant women  ”, said Kabakumbya Jane, “Our roads are so poor and imassable during the rainy season”, said Muntu K Willy.

Ntoroko District Headquarters Sign Post in Kibuku Town Council

The people’s issues were run on Better FM radio on 16^th March 2014 during the Listener’s Forum 8:00-10:00pm for the local leaders intervention. The live radio discussion was also attended by Mrs.  Agnes Birungi, the District Community Development Officer of Kyegegwa District and Hon Kitakule Hadijjah, the  Chairperson, Women’s Council, Kyegegwa District. 

During the discussion, Hon Kitakule appealed to women to join groups so as to benefit from government programs. “We always get grants on a yearly basis from the National Council of Women, and this money is meant to help women fight poverty through entrepreneurship development and other developmental areas. Women should therefore join groups such as SACCOS and community groups so as to benefit from these funds”.

Mrs. Agnes also participated in the live radio discussion by highlighting the rights of a woman as regards to economic empowerment. “Women have their rights regarding economic empowerment such as the right in decision making from house hold level to national level, a right to production, a right to having equal participation in development processes, ownership and control of resources, a right to equality in sharing of benefits, among others”.

Meanwhile, Hon Hadijjah highlighted some of the factors that have caused the slow pace of development among women in Kyegegwa District. “Women’s  development in Kyegegwa District is being affected by factors such as lack of enough funds to sensitize women, domestic violence, lack of team work, and lack of motivation and transparency”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “Maintenance of the roads is so poor, even the culverts are poorly fixed”, said Amos from Rwebisengo Sub County, “Our husbands do not want us to work and earn a better living”, said Annet from Hakibaale Sub County, “Our leaders are not willing to give us the Bill Of Quantities of the tender of the construction of Karugutu HC IV”, said Yahaya Abubakari from Karugutu Town Council, “Women leaders of Ntoroko District should also go an radio and give us accountability”, said Muntu Willy from Ntoroko District.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred.