“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.