“What has your leader delivered ever since he/she entered office”, Kasigazi Willy Donanto.

On 12^th July 2014, Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto cautioned local citizens on what local leaders have delivered for them ever since they voted them into the offices they hold.  “What have your leaders delivered ever since they entered the offices they hold? As local citizens, you should know that it’s your responsibility to monitor these leaders and also demand for better service delivery from them. You should also be able to tell whether these leaders are effective or they are just dormant in the positions that they hold in public offices”. Mr. Kasigazi is the moderator of the ‘Orukurato Program’ a two hour weekly live radio discussion sponsored by ToroDev that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday 08:00 – 10:00pm on HITS FM.

A parliamentary session

The discussion attracted many call ins from the local listeners who indicated/highlighted their issues and concerns about their local leaders. “Leaders have not delivered much for the local citizens”, said Akora from Kasunganyanja Trading Center in Kabarole District, “Leaders have not done much in delivering better roads”, said Denis from Mbarara District, “The Chairperson LC 1s have not done anything, they no longer even organize communities as it used to be”, said Nyanzi from Hakibaale Sub County in Kabarole District, “Local citizens are also lazy. They want the government to do each and everything for them. They would be organizing themselves to work on community roads rather than blaming local leaders”, said a caller from Kacwampale. 

Meanwhile, the live radio discussion became more interesting and attracted more call ins and text messages from the local listeners concerning their local leaders. “We don’t have safe water in my area”, said Fred from Hapuuyo Sub County in Kyegegwa  District, “I carry the blame on the Members of Parliament who passed the heavy budget most especially on farmers whose markets have even fallen”, said Robert Nyakairu, “Leaders are avoiding local citizens, they are even avoiding and denying their responsibilities”, said Enock from Kasenda Sub County in Kabarole District, “After getting votes, leaders don’t come back on ground to pick people’s issues”, said Byaruhanga Charles from Mpara Sub County in Kyegegwa 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.