ToroDev’s weekly radio program discussions sensitizing citizens

ToroDev in a way of advocating for improved service delivery and public accountability has continued sensitizing citizens through the weekly radio programs where leaders, both technical, politicians and citizens are always hosted live in studios on all the 3 radio stations we are working with as of todate.

On 21^st May, 2016 during the ‘Orukurato’program that is aired live every Saturday 8:00pm-10:00pm on HITS Fm, a poll question; Have you ever been asked to pay a bribe to access services in a government health facility?  was discussed. Listeners participated through call-ins and Sms platform;

‘’We pay for services and the workers in our health facilities are rude and hash to patients’’, said Mr. Mugisa John a caller from Rwaitera in Kyenjojo district, ‘’They always ask for money that they want to buy cloves especially to the victims of accidents’’, said Ms Nyakaisiki Janerose a caller from Rurama in Kabarole district, ‘’I paid a bribe to extract a tooth of my child in a government health facility, people pay for services even when they are meant to be free’’, said Edith a caller from Kanara in Ntoroko district.

Related to the above, on 28^th May, 2016 still on Hits Fm, listeners were asked; why are people staying quiet on corruption in their communities? Over 323 people responded through the use of social media platforms and the majority 42% said they keep quiet due to fear of what will happen next. Those who participated through call-ins said; ‘’those who support corruption have practiced it for long and have to some extent benefited from it’’, said Teddy a caller from Katebwa in Kabarole district, ‘’the spirit of patriotism is lost and people have developed  I do not care attitude’’, said John Bright a caller from Bundibugyo district, ‘’Corrupt people are stronger than us and sometimes we do not have evidence to pin them on the act of corruption and also fear of what will happen next’’, said Omuhereza Katongole a caller from Kyegegwa district.

On Jubilee Radio during the ‘Listeners’ forum’ program the roles of local council councilors were articulated by Hon. Muntu Willy from Ntoroko district, Kenneth Murusura from Hakibale & Mr. Mukwano Ssenyonjo the chairperson of advocacy forums in Rwenzori region now that new councilors have been sworn in and taken offices. ‘’ Councilors derive their mandate from the Local government Act; they are mandated to cause  meetings in their communities to gather opinions of the citizens say at sub county level so that they are able to take the opinions to the district council for further discussion and approval, they are supposed to attend all council sessions but most of them promise things they cannot do for their communities like constructing roads, schools, etc when actually they do not have a budget they directly control to help them implement their promises’’, said Kenneth during the live discussion.  ‘’we have had tendencies of electing leaders who do not even know their roles/responsibilities which calls for regular sensitizations. LC 1’s for long have existed illegally and government supports them the wrong way because they are not constitutionally recognized. Councilors are supposed to monitor government programs/projects and also to attend council sessions. Let every leader play his/her roles well, then we shall develop our communities’’, said Hon. Muntu Willy, district councilor for Bweramule sub county in Ntoroko district. 

Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred the moderator of 'Listeners Forum' program on Jubilee Radio

 Listeners participated in the live radio discussion that is aired every Sunday 8:00pm-10:00pm; ‘’A good councilor should first access the problems of his people he/she intends to represent, how can someone who has no O level certificate lead people has education lost meaning? Do we expect someone who has failed to swear an oath of office to debate in a council as required?’’, asked Joyce Kamara a caller from Kyegegwa district.

Meanwhile electoral reforms and post election messages developed through skits and live studio debates of influential people (citizens) have continued being played on KRC Radio to mobilize citizens to embrace peace in the region especially after elections. ‘’Manya Omwebembezi wawe’’ program on KRC Radio is aired live every Wednesday 8:00pm -10:00pm where listeners always participate in the discussion through call- inns and sms platforms.

Mr. Kaahwa Kansengerwa the moderator of 'Manya Omwebembezi Wawe' program on KRC radio

We are grateful to all our development partners for the financial and technical support.