Appropriate ICT tools especially Tracfm, radios and accountability meetings have helped improve service delivery through effective monitoring, advocating for improved service delivery and mobilization of the local communities to demand accountability.

In Katebwa sub county, Kabarole District Songya bridge is being constructed as a result of radio talkshows , accountability meeting and pressure  put on the leaders through Katebwa  advocacy forum members.

“The bridge was washed away by heavy rains in October 2013 and since then people of Katebwa have been struggling with movements and their businesses were not going on well, but as a forum we have never kept quiet we have been holding meetings with duty bearers reminding them of this bridge, since 2013  we have organized more than 20 meetings engaging duty bearer and advocating for the bridge, we are happy  now  because the construction is going on  and  it’s our great joy as a forum to see that our efforts are not in vain”.  Said Joy Bwambale the secretary of Katebwa advocacy forum.

“We  shared our issues with administrators of Tracfm, to suggest  poll questions on transport sector  and bridge constructions and we made sure we participated in answering the poll and calling on radios, we went a head  and requested for  radio talkshows on Hits FM, Voice of Toro, KRC and  Jubilee etc to talk  about the bridge, we have organized over 8 powerful  accountability meetings  with duty bearers at all levels to discuss the issue  of the bridge. We are happy that our duty bearers reported the issue to the government and now as we talk the central government has started working on the bridge under KAIPU, the progress is so far good”. Said Ezra  Muhindo the leader of Katebwa  sub county NGOs  & CBOs  advocacy

Ezra added to a larger extent like 80% of this progress is of tracFM and  our effort as a forum, as members of the forum we did not give up participating on polls  and radios  lobbying and advocating for the bridge, we have organized   several monthly meetings with the leaders and the community members to discuss particularly on this bridge, we have mobilized the community to go on the radio to speak on the same issue over and over, we are happy that we have positive results now.

Above: Construction work of Nsongya bridge in Katebwa that is on-going currently

   

“Advocacy in all its forms seeks to ensure that people, particularly those who are most vulnerable in society, are able to have their voices heard on issues that are important to them. Defend and safeguard their rights, have their views and wishes genuinely considered when decisions are being made about their lives. We are grateful that this forum has been there for the people of Katebwa and now we see  this bridge constructed due to the efforts of Katebwa sub county NGOs & CBOs  advocacy”. Said Yoneki  Kithahire, a citizen of Katebwa Sub County.

Nsongya bridge before the start of the construction work

“As a forum for Katebwa sub county NGOs & CBOs we speak up for the people of Katebwa Sub County whenever they don’t think their voices are being heard.  We serve even individuals facing a crisis situation or challenge that seems too big to manage; having a forum like us is a lifeline of hope”.  Said Mukabani Joseph the treasurer of Katebwa sub county NGOs & CBOs advocacy

Joseph added that advocacy is a very important part of what we do at Katebwa advocacy forum each one of our programs supports people who have been disadvantaged, marginalized, or troubled.

For the advocacy forums to do their work effectively we are grateful to our donors, SIDA, SPIDER, NED, CIPESA, WOUGNET, INDIGO trust for their financial support  to do such kind of work.