Electoral reforms play a big role in informing and guiding
people of their duties and responsibilities in a country but sometimes the
government does not take time to acquit the citizens of what exactly should be
done.
The constitution of the republic of Uganda 1995, under the
national objectives and directive principles of state policy, objective 29 (a)
states that; it shall be a duty of every citizen to be patriotic and loyal to
Uganda and to promote it’s well-being, (c) to contribute to the wellbeing of
the community where citizens live and (f) to promote democracy and the rule of
law.
In a bid to solicit for the majority support, the promises
made by candidates in the last general elections in Uganda are quiet many. Some
will be implemented and others will not but the issue remains, it is the role/responsibility
of every responsible electorate to keep demanding from their leaders for
improved service delivery.
ToroDev in
partnership with local radio stations in the Ruwenzori region has continued to
sensitize the citizens on their roles as well as educating them on the roles of
elected leaders.
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| Kaahwa Kansengerwa the moderator of 'Manya Ekiragiro Kyawe' on KRC FM |
On 20th April 2016 on ‘Manya Ekiragiro Kyawe’ program on KRC FM a live radio talk show
that runs every Wednesday 8:00pm-10:00pm, we sensitized citizens on the roles/duties of
local council leaders.
‘’ Leaders at lower local
councils especially councilors are supposed to collect citizens view for
example from the parish level to the sub county and then to the district
council. Once they take them to the district council, they are supposed to
bring feedback to the electorates on the council decisions’’, said Mr.
Ssenyonjo Mukwano, the leader of Mugusu people’s forum for development.
‘’ When we elect
leaders, we put them at the fore front of other electorates so that they are
able to change the situations in our communities especially in situations where
citizens feel marginalized. For example the chairperson LC 111 has the capacity
to mobilize electorates in the sub county for a positive change’’, said Mr.
Rwaheru Gilbert the leader of Kicwamba advocacy forum.
The two (2) hours live radio discussion as usual had
participation of listeners who called inn and others sent sms to share their
views during the program; ‘’it is unfortunate some leaders just seat in
offices and watch things happening unexpected, we need to keep reminding them
of their roles and put them on pressure to work for the betterment of our
communities’’, said Beatrice Tuhaise, a caller from Harugongo in Kabarole
district, ‘’Area councilors and
chairpersons’ supervision play a big role in uplifting the standards of
community members. This means that if a leader is active to know what & how
something is happening, that community cannot remain the same’’, said Mrs
Mugisa Grace a caller from Bugaki in Kyenjojo district, ‘’Our leaders need to learn to befriend citizens especially the youth
who are unemployed in order to mobilize them for development engagements and
they can use the office of community development officers to sensitize them on
how they can improve their living standards to be responsible citizens without
waiting for gifts in form of soap & sugar for exchange of a vote’’, said
Mr. Muhenda Sam a caller from Kakabara
in Kyegegwa district, ‘’ToroDev
should continue injecting more money in these talkshows because the radio
talkshows have empowered us local citizens with information and knowledge to
know how to demand public accountability for improved service delivery from the
leaders we elected, this has enabled us to keep monitoring on the leaders”. said
Abwooli Omusomesa a caller from Kiguma in Kabarole district
We are grateful to our development partners; DRT, NED, SPIDER, SIDA, ICT4DEM, & CIPESA
for the support towards keeping the citizens informed through social media platforms.
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