Accountability programs on FM local Radios help local citizens get accountability from their local leaders in Bundibugyo District.

The local citizens of Bundibugyo District have been able to demand for accountability and better service delivery from their local leaders through the use of accountability programs on FM local radios. The accountability programs focus on social accountability of the local leaders in the different sectors like NAADS, education, roads, health, administration, among others. 

Voice of Bundibugyo's Howard Tumwine shows the Facebook page of Ekimeza Program where the local people post their accountability and service delivery issues which are later aired on radio during the accountability programs.

“We introduced the Ekimeza program that runs every Sunday from 3:00 – 5:00pm. During the program, we invite different political and local leaders to come and give accountability. We also allow the local listeners to participate in the radio discussions through call INS and using the SMS plat form to raise their issues and concerns. On Thursday 17^th, September 2013, we hosted the District LC V Bundibugyo District during the Ekimeza program who gave accountability to the local people. We are also going to host the District Health Officers on Sunday 29^th September 2013 to discuss the issue of inadequate medicine in the health centers of Nyahuka HC IV and Bukwanga HC III. ”, said Tumwine Howard, a mentor at Voice of Bundibugyo in Bundibugyo District.

ToroDev's Recheal Kogere meets mentors of Development Radio, Bundibugyo District.

 The accountability programs have also created awareness among the community. “Our accountability programs like Semuliki Sun Rise Program have created awareness among the community. On Monday 23^rd September 2013, we hosted members of the district school management committee to give accountability about the Universal Primary Education Program in the district. The committee members blamed head teachers for not releasing the amount of funds that are released from the local government and not putting the details of the funds on the notice boards in their various schools to show how these funds are allocated/used. Members of the committee promised to follow up the issue to see that proper management of funds is done in government aided schools”, said Katsirombi Edson , a mentor from Development Radio in Bundibugyo District.  

However, the radio mentors/journalists are facing some challenges in involving political and local leaders in giving accountability on radio. "Some leaders do not respond positively when called upon to give accountability to the local community on radio. We also lack enough computers in our radio stations to use and share on line accountability issues that are discussed in our accountability programs ", said Tumwine Howard, a mentor at Voice of Bundibugyo in Bundibugyo District.