“Our roads are constructed locally because of the little funds allocated to our Sub County”, Hon Byokufa Musitofa

The Chairperson LC III of Katebwa Sub County Mr. Byokufa Mustofa has indicated how roads in Katebwa Sub County are constructed locally because of the little funds allocated to the Sub County. “Our roads are constructed locally because Katebwa Sub County receives little funds from the local government. This has created a lot of transport limitations to the local citizens since many of the bridges like Nsongya Bridge have failed to be constructed after being washed away by the heavy rains in April last year”. The Chairperson indicated this on May 8^th 2014 during the accountability meeting that was organized by members of Katebwa Advocacy Forum in Katebwa Sub County, under the support of ToroDev.

Members of Katebwa Advocacy Forum

The accountability meeting was also attended by the area Sub County Chief Mr. Kimanyweda Adoniah, the Sub County NAADS coordinator representative Mr. Kule Elisha, the Sub County Health representative Miss Musoki Perpetra, Mr. Kahwa Daniel the Sub County Education representative and Mr. Mugisa David from Kabarole Research and Resource Center. ToroDev was represented by Miss Shilla Amanya, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. A total number of 176 (one hundred and seventy six) youths and women attended the meeting and were able to raise their issues, concerns and also demand for accountability from their local leaders.

During the meeting, Mr. Kule indicated the performance of the NAADS sector in the Sub County. “Every year, Katebwa Sub County gives support to farmers who are in groups through the NAADS program. One goat and three basins of irish potatoes are given to groups of food security farmers, five goats are given to market oriented farmers, and each parish receives a heifer to give to commercial farmers. Other equipment like cereals such as cow peas, cassava and coffee, pigs, as well as bee hives are also given out to farmers who are in registered groups accordingly”.

Mr. Kahwa also appealed to the parents to send their children to school rather than leaving them at home. “As parents, we should support government programs by sending our children to school and contributing towards the funding of the programs. We should not leave every responsibility to the government but also perform our role as parents by providing scholastic materials like books, pens, uniforms, and also packing food for our children”.

Meanwhile, Hon Byokufa further gave accountability of what he has achieved for Katebwa Sub County. “We have opened up Mutumba Road, constructed Kyamukube – Bugaya road as well as Nyakigumba – Kitumba market road, renovated Kibate Health Center II, constructed shallow wells at Ibembiro, Mitandi and Bunaiga parishes, supplied twenty four desks to Bukara and Mutumba Primary Schools, provided moveable latrines at Kitumba market and Mabwe Trading Centers, built two class rooms and a store at Karugaya Secondary School, among others”. 

The accountability meetings are supported by NED, SPIDER/Stockholm University and SIDA/CIPESA on a project aimed at using both physical and online platforms like accountability meetings, radio and social media to improve the participation of marginalized population groups of rural youth and women in governance in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda.

The Agricultural Trade Show

On 17^th May 2014, panelists appeared on HITS FM to discuss the agricultural trade show that was organized by CABS (Community Agro Business Capacity Services) in partnership with Kabarole District Local Government. “We have organized an agricultural trade show in Kabarole District that will take place on 26^th – 28^th May 2014. The main aim of this trade show is to create a plat form where all farmers and business men in the Rwenzori Region can meet and learn through sharing skills and knowledge from each other”, said Malsera Kasukali, the Executive Director, Community Agro Business Capacity Services. The panelist was discussing on ToroDev supported live radio accountability program called  ‘Orukurato Program’ that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (08:00 - 10:00pm).

Farmers display their products during a trade show

Other panelists who participated in the live radio discussion included Mr. Mwebesa Perez, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Kabarole District, and Miss Nkwenge Lillian, the District Information Officer, Kabarole District. 

During the discussion, Mr. Mwebesa indicated the objectives of the trade show. “The theme of the trade show is “To eradicate poverty and look the potential for agriculture development in Kabarole District”. Its objectives will be; setting a way of how farmers can meet and share knowledge through interactions with each other, sharing what we have been able to achieve to fight famine following the millennium development goals, realizing opportunities for development, gaining knowledge and skills of improving our value chain (value addition), among others.

Miss Nkwenge also participated in the live radio discussion by appealing to all farmers and business men to attend the trade show. “The agricultural trade show is held every year to bring farmers, business men and investors together to share skills and knowledge. I therefore appeal to all farmers and business men to attend in big numbers and represent their sub counties and groups. Participants should also make articles that will be published in the farmers’ magazines for advertising/marketing purposes”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “As youths, how shall we benefit from the program?” asked Rodgers from Rubona Town Council, “People with gambling games should not be allowed in the trade show”, said Rwabuhinga, “I thank the panelists for the good program presentation”, said a caller from Kyegegwa District, “How much is the entry fee?” asked Godfrey from Karambi Sub County, "Which day will the president attend the trade show?” asked Charles from Kiburara Sub County in Kabarole District.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto and is supported by SIDA/CIPESA and SPIDER/Stockholm University on a project aimed at using appropriate ICT tools to promote democratic engagement in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda.

“Our main objective is to sensitize people”, Mugume Amos

On 18^th May 2014, the Production and Marketing Officer of Kabarole District Mr. Mugume Amos indicated how the local leaders had set ways of sensitizing people to fight against poverty. “Kabarole District has set different ways of fighting poverty. One of them is through trade shows where people are sensitized on using small income to make investments that can rip big harvests. Therefore, Kabarole District in partnership with CABS (Community Agro Business Capacity Services) have organized another agricultural trade show that will bring famers together to share skills and knowledge”. The panelist was discussing on ToroDev’s supported radio discussion on Better FM called the ‘Listeners Forum’ a 2hr radio program that discusses issues of accountability every Sunday (8:00-10:00pm).

Hon Amelia Kyambadde, Uganda's Minister for Trade

The live radio discussion was also attended by Mr. Perez Mwebesa, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Kabarole District and Mr. Malsera Kasukali, the Executive Director, Community Agro Business Capacity Services.

During the program, Mr. Kasukali appealed to the farmers to attend the trade show so as to market their products. “We are expecting participants from districts like Ntoroko, Kasese, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge, Bundibugyo, among others. These participants will include local citizens who are in different entities of agriculture like farmers, cattle keepers, fisher men, among others. Participants will be able to market their products through meeting their buyers and sharing contacts. This will help them to create a relationship with their buyers. Participants will also get information about better agricultural skills, know competitors and also lay strategies to fit in the competing world”.

Meanwhile, Mr. Perez indicated how the trade show was going to help Kabarole District Local Government. “As a district, the agricultural trade show will help us to know what has been done in the district and also realize the potential of what has not yet been done. It will also create a relationship between farmers and the service providers like NGOs (Non Government Organizations). Kabarole district farmers will also acquire skills of agro processing of their products which will improve our yields/output as a district”.  

Local citizens also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “Can I get a machine for processing tomatoes in the trade show?” asked Aliganyira George, “As farmers of Karugutu Town Council, we also need to attend the trade show”, said Robert from Karugutu Town Council in Ntoroko District, “Grafting should also be sensitized during the trade show”, said Edward from Rubirizi District, “Is the trade show for groups or individuals?” asked Mbaga Saidi from Kamwenge District.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred and is supported by NED, SIDA/CIPESA on a project aimed at using radio and social media to improve service delivery and accountability in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda.

“Some information given by leaders concerning service delivery is not true”, Mutesigensi Annet

On 1^st May 2014, local citizens of Kabende Parish in Hakibaale Sub County, Kabarole District showed their outcry over the poor service delivery in their Sub County. This was during the rural radio debate that was conducted by Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred, the moderator of the ‘Listeners Forum’ a two hour weekly program sponsored by ToroDev that broadcasts issues of accountability every Sunday (08: - 10:00pm) on Better FM. 

Members of Committed Citizens for Better Service Delivery

“Local leaders have been going on radio and saying that our sub county has been given water yet it’s not true. Over 3,000 (three thousand) people are depending on river water which is not safe”, said Mutesigensi Annet, “NAADS administration is so poor, we had food security and market oriented farmers but the Chairperson LC III interfered the program with politics by making people pay for the supplied equipment and basing on technical know who”, said Tumusiime Justus, “Kabende Health Center III has no mid wife, pregnant women are attended to by OPD(Out Patient Department) nurses and issues reported to leaders are not intervened due to corruption, “I was attacked by ADF(Allied Defense Forces) rebels in 2000 who destroyed my property. The president sent me a pledge, but it was swindled by the corrupt local leaders”, said Tumuhimbise Lawrence, “As teachers, the government promised to help us in income addition but all has been in vain. We also lack a secondary school in Kabende Parish and all students use Rusekere Secondary School which is very far”, said Kagurusi Swalhe. The people’s issues were run on the ‘Listeners Forum’ program on 4^th May 2014.

The live radio program was also attended by Hon Namara Vincent, the male Councilor Kabende Parish, Hakibaale Sub County, Hon Byamugisha Selevanius, Chairperson LC I Hakibaale Sub County, Mr. Kato, the mobilizer of Committed Citizens for Better Service Delivery Forum Group in Hakibaale Sub County and Mr. Tumusiime Justus, a local citizen of Hakibaale Sub County.

During the program, panelists indicated the poor performance of the NAADS program. “The NAADS program has not been beneficial to the local citizens of Kabende Parish, due to the poor performance of the Sub County NAADS coordinator who does not follow the procurement process when purchasing the NAADS equipment”, said Hon Namara, “The Community Based Facilitator (CBF) has never been involved in the purchase of the NAADS equipment yet he is entitled to do so”, said Mr. Tumusiime.

Hon Byamugisha also highlighted the poor performance of the education sector in Kabende Parish. “Performance of pupils at Kabende Primary School is so poor. This has been brought about by the personal grudges between the teachers. We have tried to report the issue to the District Education Officer, but his intervention has been in vain”.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kato appealed to the local leaders to work on Kabende Health Center III that was in its poor state. “Leaders should help us and save the situation at Kabende Health Center III, which lacks a ward and a mid wife. Pregnant women are traveling long distances to different Sub Counties to seek medical attention ”.

The rural radio debate is supported by NED and SIDA/CIPESA on a project aimed at using radio and social media to improve the participation of marginalized population groups of rural youth and women in governance in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda.

“Most of the leaders have not fulfilled their responsibilities”, Muganzi Patrick

On 10^th May 2014, local citizens appeared on HITS FM to discuss some of the challenges that are affecting development. “Most of our leaders in Tooro Region have not carried out their responsibility of uniting local citizens to realize development. We have religious, political, technical, civil and cultural leaders and these leaders have never come together to discuss/share knowledge as regards different issues, demands and challenges in society. Even the number of people in Tooro Region is not known which has led to poor planning”, said Muganzi Patrick, the Minister for Works in Tooro Kingdom. The minister was discussing on ToroDev’s supported 'Orukurato Program', a 2hr weekly live radio discussion that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (8:00-10:00pm).

Yoweri K Museveni, President of Uganda

The live radio discussion was also attended by Mr. John Kusemererwa, the Chairperson of Rwengaju Model Parish Elders and Youths Development Forum, Mr. Kamba Bob the General Secretary of Rwengaju Model Parish Elders and Youths Development Forum, Mr. Okyaki Ema, and Isaza Rugumayo, all local citizens of Rwengaju Sub County in Kabarole District.

During the live radio discussion, Mr. John Kusemererwa indicated the reason that led to the formation of Rwengaju Model Parish Elders and Youths Development Forum. “We formed this forum after President Museveni had failed to fulfill his presidential pledge of giving us electricity and water in Rwengaju Sub County. This was because of the poor information flow between the president and the local people that was caused by the incompetent leaders who are disorganized, have political differences and are not coordinated”.

Mr. Kamba also participated in the live radio discussion by indicating the challenge of poor water in Rwengaju Sub County. “We have seventeen cells in Rwengaju Sub County which include Nyabwina, Top Hill, Kidubuli, Kyakabaka, among others and all these cells depend on one well. Leaders should form strategies of providing us with more water sources so as to protect people’s health because bad health is not productive”. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Okyaki also indicated the challenge of incompetent leaders in Rwengaju Sub County that has led to poor service delivery. “The biggest challenge that we have in Rwengaju Sub County is lack of unity most especially among our local leaders. This has highly affected proper service delivery and that’s why we have poor roads like Busoro High way road and poor education system with many senior four drop outs who cannot match with the competing world”.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto and is supported by SIDA/CIPESA and SPIDER/Stockholm University on a project aimed at using appropriate ICT tools to promote democratic engagement in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda.