ToroDev organized a District-CSO follow up meeting in Kyenjojo district

In the quest to strengthen collaboration of CSOs & district local governments, championing public accountability, transparency & improved service delivery, ToroDev in collaboration with Kyenjojo NGOs&CBOs Forum organized a follow up meeting on 7^th March 2016 at Kyenjojo district headquarters under the Theme; ‘’Planning together, Accounting together’’ focusing among others on strengthening the District-CSO coordination committee that will gradually result in close collaboration for planning and budgeting, sharing of mutual successes and challenges, enjoying shared & coordinated reporting, policy compliance on a regular basis.

The meeting that was attended by an average of 35 people who included Kyenjojo district local government technical & political leaders, CSOs, NGOs, CBOs & representatives aimed at assessing the impact of the last meeting on planning & sector undertakings, developing a harmonized approach towards improving coordination & communication among CSOs and the local government by strengthening PPP and brainstorming on the challenges of fostering collaboration in the district as experienced by both CSOs & the local government. The expected results among which included; increased understanding of the NGOs contribution to local governments & communities, identifying existing gaps & drawing out strategies to counter them, strengthened collaboration & networking among CSOs & the district especially the Community Based Services (CBS) department, suggesting actions on how best to plan & account together and strengthening the District-CSOs Forum/committee.

Mr. Karamagi Ronald the secretary production department who represented the district chairperson in his remarks during the opening of the meeting acknowledged the contributions of CSOs in the development work of the district. He said CSOs act as watch dogs in monitoring government programs & working together as a team will make us move to another level of development in the district.

Mr. Karamagi Ronald who represented the district chairperson speaking during the meeting

Speaking during the meeting, the Executive director ToroDev Mr. Baguma Johnstone Kumaraki urged participants to embrace such meetings for they are vital in bringing us close to work together as a team. He said such meetings provide a platform for engagement, identifying issues of common interest & sharing useful information. He pledged to work hand in hand with the district local government of Kyenjojo on behalf of ToroDev especially as the organization plans to provide tangible services in the Rwenzori region.

Mr. Baguma Johnstone Kumaraki the Executive director ToroDev giving his brief in the meeting

Speaking during the meeting, the District Education Officer (DEO) madam Gertrude Tibakanya acknowledged improved attendance of education meetings by NGOs & other partners which was not the case before the initiation of these meetings by ToroDev. She requested for CSOs to identify some new technologies to have better latrines and water sources in schools which is still a challenge in the district. She encouraged participants to continue working as a team for the development of our communities.

Participants listening to the speakers during the meeting

The district speaker Mr. Kasoro Silver Atwooki who chaired one of the sessions during the meeting asked CSOs & local government to work together for it is the only way we shall achieve our development program plan and urged participants to meet periodically to engage each other on what is happening from both parties.

It was agreed among participants that meetings of the kind do take place quarterly, present reports during the next meeting of the first week of June 2016, the District Education Officer to head the planning of sectoral meetings for different departments immediately to harmonize what has been discussed & integrate them in the monthly education meetings at the district, emerging of forum meetings in the District Management Committee (DMC), the district planner will develop & share a reporting template with a list of issues CSOs should report on in different sectors  so that they can be integrated in the district work plan.

We are grateful to our sponsors & partners SIDA, NED, SPIDER, ICT4DEM & WOUGNET for the financial & technical support.