“Women move as early as 2:00am in the darkness to look for clean water”, Byamukama Robert

On 20th March 2014, local people of Kyaburungi Parish, Hakibaale Sub County in Kabarole District showed their outcry over the poor service delivery in their parish. “Our women move as early as 2:0am to look for clean water, Kyaburungi Health Center has no water tank and patients beg water from the neighboring homes”, said Byamukama Robert, “We are not satisfied with the policies that are being passed by parliament”, said Nuwamanya Gideon, “We don’t have antenatal care at our health center, pregnant women move as far as Kibasi Health Center which is also not reliable”, said Margret Batembuzi, “Our health center is always closed over the week end because the staffs don’t work”, said Swaibu Mugisa, “As youths, we have not benefited from government programs”, said Kyamuhangire Elly.

Members of Hakibaale Committed Citizens for Better Services

The people’s issues were run on Better FM radio on 23^rd March 2014 during the ‘Listener’s Forum’ 8:00-10:00pm for the local leaders intervention. The live radio discussion was also attended by Mr. Rwaheru Gilbert, the Chairperson of Kicwamba Forum for Development and Service Delivery in Kicwamba Sub County, Kabarole District.

During the discussion, Mr. Gilbert indicated how the forum had brought a lot of positive impacts towards improving service delivery. “As members of Kicwamba Forum for Development and Service Delivery, we have raised issues affecting the community to the local leaders. We held a community meeting with the Member of Parliament, Mr. Kagwera Steven to address the issues in the NAADS sector. Such issues included pests that were infecting people’s crops like tomatoes. We also went ahead to sensitize farmers about how they can control banana bacteria wilt”.

Mr. Gilbert also went ahead to discuss how their work of advocacy had improved the roads and health sectors in Kicwamba Sub County. “Our roads were so poor and impassable during the rainy season which had affected our businesses, but through our advocacy activities, we organized the community to make a peaceful demonstration and as I talk, many of the roads have been worked on. Through radio programs, we were also able to lobby for a mid wife at Kicwamba Health Center III and Harugongo Health Center II was also promoted to Health Center III. However, some of the roads are still in a sorry state such as Kikonge road”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins and using the programs face book page called the ‘Listener’s Forum’ to raise their issues and concerns. “We are ready to make change of our dormant leaders in the coming elections of 2016”, said Kajungu from Bunyangabu County, “Advocacy radio programs have awakened the local leaders and increased the ability to demand and engage leaders for better service delivery, reduce embezzlement and corruption among the local leaders”, said John Bosco from Bufunjo Sub County in Kyenjojo District.

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