Leaders, citizens and media discuss accountability and service delivery improvement

Over sixty (60) local leaders, local citizens and media practitioners from the Rwenzori Sub Region participated in a reflection conference aimed at improving the convergence of appropriate ICT tools to improve accountability and service delivery especially on priority sectors like roads, schools, health and agriculture among others.

“The role of the District Information Officer is to Gather/collect, analyse, disseminate and store information on service delivery, Moblise public for participation in development programmes and activities and advise management on the need for media matters (e.g. ICT and communication needs.” Said John Thawite, the District Information Officer, Kasese

Participants who attended the conference

The two days residential conference held at Lisieuk Hotel in Fort Portal from 29 to 30^th October, 2014 and was officially opened by the Kabarole Resident District Commissioner and officially closed by the Kabarole District Council Speaker. Some of the leaders who attended included the district information officers from the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Bundibugyo, Kamwenge and Ntoroko.

Some of the key objectives of the conference included sharing success stories, identifying challenges and give possible recommendations for improved use of appropriate ICT tools to improve accountability and service delivery monitoring and advocacy, availing stakeholders with a clear understanding of the public policy framework in Uganda for improved service delivery and accountability; for instance, government planning, budgeting and decision making processes

Other objectives were providing a platform for engagement and networking between citizens, local leaders, journalists and civil society to ensure a healthy democratic engagement and participation in social economic and political development processes in the region and beyond. To advocate for appropriate policies which will sustainably ensure accountability for improved service delivery using appropriate ICT tools in Uganda.

The topics presented included; Understanding the Minimum National Service Delivery Standards in comparison with the status quo in the Rwenzori region districts, Channels for demanding public accountability and what laws/policies guarantee accountability  in Uganda, The role of citizen groups/advocacy forums in promoting public accountability, service delivery monitoring and engagement in other poverty reduction processes. Sustainability of Citizens’ Advocacy groups into socially and economically viable entities in the Rwenzori region. Embracing the convergence of new media technologies (web 2.0 tools and mobile telephony) and local FM radio in promoting democratic engagement processes and Public Policy formulation and lastly, Public Policy analysis/review and advocacy processes in Uganda.

Some of the Key presenters included Anne Manyindo from CARITAS – Fort Portal, Edward Itoote from KANCA, John Thawite from Kasese District Local Government and Johnstone Baguma Kumaraki from ToroDev among others.

The two days reflection conference which was organized by ToroDev was supported by NED and SIDA

There is need for civil society to also give accountability to the public

Local leaders have called on the civil society to also give public accountability to enable better utilization of community resources for improved livelihoods. The call was made by the Executive Director of Toro Development Network (ToroDev) Mr. Baguma Johnstone and the Kabarole district Community Based Services Coordinator Mr. Taddeo Balisanga during the weekly accountability live radio discussion called Orukurato held on Saturday, 18^th October 2014 at Hits FM.

“It’s  the responsibility of every registered Civil society organization to give accountability to whoever needs it or asks for it, as Civil society organization it important to let people know, how money is spent, the services it was spent on, future the plans of the organization.” Said Johnstone Baguma.

Johnstone Baguma

Johnstone adds that every Civil society organization registered at any level (Village level, sub county level, country level and international level) works under the NGO Act 2006 where they are supposed to submit Annual Returns, Reports and Budgets for accountability.

During the discussion Mr Balisaga Taddeo indicated that CSOs accountability will also assist government in properly planning for service delivery to the local citizens by avoiding the duplication of resources.

Listeners participated through call-ins, SMS and posts on the orukurato facebook group during the live radio discussions. Mr Makune Wilson, a caller on the orukurato live radio discussion indicated that civil society organizations should continue advocating for improved service delivery in all sectors. Mukwano Ssenyojo, a caller from Mugusu said that asking for accountability from leaders is sometimes difficult because leaders most times shy away from it.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr.  Kasingazi Williams  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.    

ToroDev partners with Kyenjojo FM to strengthen Accountability broadcasting for improved service delivery

Toro Development Network (ToroDev) has started a new partnership with Kyenjojo FM based in Kyenjojo District to strengthen accountability broadcasting for improved service delivery. The new partnership involves supporting increased leaders and citizen participation on Ekyererezi and Kihikire accountability live radio discussions on Kyenjojo FM. The new partnership started on 1^st October, 2014.

Advertisements will also be run to encourage more women and youth to participate in the live radio discussions. EKYEREREZI live radio discussion is broadcasted every Wednesday from 10:00pm to 12:00am and the KIHIKIRE live radio discussion is broadcasted every day of the week from Monday to Friday (5:00 am- 6:00 am). 

In addition, through the live radio discussions and radio advertisements, ToroDev in partnership with Kyenjojo FM will encourage the formation of more citizen led groups (women and youth) to form advocacy forums at both sub county and district levels to enable effective monitoring of service delivery and participation in government planning and budgeting processes.

ToroDev will also continue to support capacity building to the Kyenjojo FM accountability program moderators in partnership with the regional journalist framework called the Rwenzori Journalist Forum (RJF) to improve accountability broadcasting at Kyenjojo FM.

Since Kyenjojo FM is located in Kyenjojo Town and broadcasting in the districts of Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa, leaders of the 7 citizens’ Advocacy Forums initiated with ToroDev support and operating in Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa districts will have an opportunity to engage with their leaders through the live radio discussions to improve accountability and service delivery. 

Participation on the live radio discussions will be through appearing on the live radio discussions, making call-ins and texting among others.

In addition to supporting the live accountability radio discussions on Kyenjojo FM, ToroDev also supports accountability live radio discussions on Hits FM and Better FM located in Fort Portal, Voice of Bundibugyo located in Bundibugyo District.

The live radio discussions are supported by NED and SIDA 

Ntoroko District Health Officer gives the performance of the health sector of Ntoroko District

On 11^th October 2014, the District Health Officer of Ntoroko District Dr. Sentamu Simon appeared on HITS FM to give the performance of the health sector in Ntoroko District. “According to the Health Center IV level of Ntoroko District, we always make orders of medicine to National Medical Stores every after two months that is worth nine million and six hundred thousand (for Karugutu Health Center IV), four million for health center IIIs, and one million and five hundred thousand for health center IIs”. The panelist was discussing on ToroDev’s live radio discussion called ‘Orukurato Program’, a live radio discussion that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (08:00-10:00) pm. 

Members of Ntoroko Citizens Concern Advocacy Forum 

During the program, Dr. Simon also indicated the challenges that cause drug stock outs in Ntoroko Health Centers. “Drug stock outs in Health Centers of Ntoroko District are always caused by challenges like  delayed deliveries from the National Medical Stores, failure to deliver orders to National Medical Stores, the growing population that is becoming big for the delivered medicine most especially on particular diseases like malaria, poor management, among others”.

The panelist also indicated how the government is making different strategies to control malaria in the country. “We are working with the government to control the wide spread malaria in the country. We have undertaken strategies like supplying treated mosquito nets to different families, making sure that drugs are available in health centers, and also currently, the Ministry of Health is also sensitizing the local citizens on the use of sleeping under mosquito nets, and also using VHTs (Village Health Teams) to make sensitization in rural areas”.

Meanwhile, Dr, Simon warned the public against the new out breaks of Ebola and Marburg viruses. “The public should be aware of the newly out breaks of Ebola and Marburg viruses that can kill every eight of ten people. These viruses come from mammals like monkeys and spread so easily through contact with body fluids of the infected body. Signs of these viruses are red eyes, ousting of blood from body openings, high temperatures and vomiting. The public should therefore avoid things like hand shaking, and report any suspected case with such signs to health workers or police or leaders”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussions through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “How can we prevent ebola?” asked a caller from Bundibugyo, “How can we prevent the Marburg virus?” asked Christopher from Kihondo Parish, “How many body cells have a human body”, asked a caller from Mabarara 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.

“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.   

The aim of forming the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) was to encourage team work

On 4^th October 2014, members of UNATU (Uganda National Teachers’ Union) indicated how they formed the UNATU body so as to encourage team work. “The aim of forming UNATU was to come together and form team work. Team work has been a driving force towards better achievements and performance in the education sector”, said Rwabutiiti Kihika Vincent, the Chairperson of Burahya County Head Teachers Association in Kabarole District. The panelist was discussing on ToroDev’s live radio discussion called ‘Orukurato Program’, a live radio discussion that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (08:00-10:00) pm on HITS FM. 

UNATU logo

The live radio discussion was also attended by Mr. Ruhweza Joseph, the Chairperson of UNATU in Fort Portal Municipality, Mr. Mugenyi David, the secretary of UNATU Fort Portal Municipality and Miss. Bonabana Catherine, the treasurer of UNATU Fort Portal branch.

During the live radio discussion, Mr. Ruhweza Joseph indicated how teachers made UNATU to create one common voice. “As teachers, we formed UNATU ten years back to create one common voice so that our issues and concerns could reach the concerned top leaders easily. This body has helped in mobilizing teachers in the whole country because it is a national body and it is in almost every district”.

Mr. Mugenyi David appealed to the parents to play their role in educating children and not leave the whole task to the parents. “Parents need to play their role and fulfill their responsibilities in educating their children. Parents have responsibilities of supporting their children through providing books, pens, food and other necessities, creating self motivation among their children so that they have interest in education, planning and supporting government programs, among others”.

Meanwhile, Miss Bonabana Catherine indicated the challenges that they are facing in UNATU. “We are facing challenges such as lack of cooperation from other members in the body, parents are not supportive and also the number of the school dropout among girls is still so high”.

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.