“Our leaders are supposed to deliver better services”, Silver Kamihanda

On 12^th October 2014, the Chairman of Bukuuku Forum for Development in Bukuuku Sub County, Kabarole District Mr. Silver Kamihanda appeared on Better FM to discuss the status of service delivery in Bukuuku Sub County. “Our roads are poor and are becoming impassable especially now that we are in the rainy season. Such roads include Kiguma road that has been graded without being marramed”. The panelist was discussing on ToroDev’s live radio discussion called the ‘Listener’s Forum’, a live radio discussion that discusses issues of accountability every Sunday (08:00-10:00pm) at Better FM.

Hon Rwabuhinga Richard, LC V Kabarole District

During the live radio discussion, the panelist also indicated the poor status of the water sector in Bukuuku Sub County. “Water is very scarce in places like Rwenkuba due to the water stoppages that is caused by the breaking pipes that were worked on badly. We are therefore requesting the water board committee to work on this issue so that the local citizens’ outcry is solved”.

Mr. Kamihanda also tackled the issue of the inadequate medicine at Kiguma Health Center II. “Kiguma Health Center II has a problem of inadequate drugs. The health center serves a big population of people from different sub counties like Mugusu, Karangura, Kazingo, and others. We are therefore appealing to leaders like the District Health Officer, the LC V Chairperson, and councilors to intervene and solve this issue”.

Meanwhile, the panelist also indicated how there has been a lot of fraud in the Youths Livelihood Program. “There has been a lot of fraud and misuse of funds in the Youths Livelihood Program. Leaders are failing to release the funds to the Youths Groups, and giving false reasons. Even the chosen groups have not got any money besides being promised to be given a smaller sum of what they were promised to get”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “The Youths Livelihood Program is full of nepotism and corruption most especially among the signatories”, said Atuhaire Patrick from Hakibaale Sub County, “It’s a very big shame to see that leaders are the ones who are stealing public property”, said Swaibu from Kyenjojo District, “Money is being swindled by the rich who are becoming richer, and exploiting the poor to be poorer”, said Businge, “Our leaders are waiting for the election period so that they come back and buy people’s votes”, said Adolf from Kyabaranga.

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.