Leaders of Kabarole Boda Boda Association give accountability

On 5^th April 2014, leaders of Kabarole Boda Boda Association, an association of motorcyclists in Kabarole District appeared on Better FM to give accountability of the activities they have been carrying out ever since they entered office. “Every member of Kabarole Boda Boda Association pays a monthly fee of Shs.1000 (one thousand shillings) that we use to run the office and help fellow boda boda men who have incurred problems like accidents”, said Rwabweru William, the Chairman of the Association.  This was during ToroDev’s supported radio discussion on Better FM called the ‘Listeners Forum’ a 2hr radio program that discusses issues of accountability every Sunday (8:00-10:00pm).

Tourists use boda bodas in Mbarara District

The live radio discussion was also attended by Mr. Barongo Musa, the leader in charge of defense affairs in the association, Mr. Ayesiga Muzamiru, the general secretary of the association and Mr. Baranga Emmanuel, the leader in charge of traffic affairs in the association.

During the radio program, Mr. Baranga discussed how the association was trying to implement the project of introducing identity cards to all motorcyclists. “We have started issuing operation cards to all boda boda riders for easy identification. We also want to issue driving permits so as to easily curb crimes like overloading, over speeding and missing number plates. We are also carrying out sensitization among all boda boda riders on proper usage of the road through reading of the road sign posts”. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Muzamiru also participated in the live radio discussion by appealing to all boda boda riders to be security conscious. “I appeal to all boda boda riders to be security conscious most especially those who ride at night. We should avoid riding strange people to strange places and look at our lives more important than the money that we earn. This will help us to avoid risks like theft and murder”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins and using the SMS platform to raise their issues and concerns. “Some boda boda riders are thieves, they take people and steal their property most especially in the nights”, said Ajuna, “Operation cards should be given to cyclists who are above eighteen years”, said Moses Kasoke from Butiiti Sub County in Kyenjojo District, “Leaders should first deal with boda boda riders who give motor cycles to school children to ride”, said Kassim, “Many boda boda riders are not trust worthy”, said Mbaga Saidi from Kamwenge District, “Before giving out operation cards, leaders should first identify disciplined boda boda riders and rule out indisciplined riders”, said Robert from Kijura Sub County in Kyenjojo District.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mukonyezi Wilfred.

The government’s introduction of the youth’s livelihood program

On 5^th April 2014, panelists appeared on HITS FM to discuss the government’s introduction of the youth’s livelihood program and the high rate of un employment among the youths. “Since the 1990’s, the National Resistance Movement government has been passing different programs but their implementation has been left incomplete and therefore failed because the programs are always introduced towards the election period to buy people’s votes. Such programs include Vision 2025, Entandikwa scheme, NAADS, among others. The newly introduced Youths Livelihood program is also targeting people’s votes and we expect less impact from it”, said John Byabazaire, a local citizen of Kabarole District. The panelist was discussing on ToroDev supported live radio discussion called ‘Orukurato Program’ that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (8:00 – 10:00pm).

Youth state minister Ronald Kibuule

Other panelists who participated in the live radio discussion included Mr. Kibonge Sam Kusemererwa a local citizen of Kabarole District and Mr. Mukwano Ssenyonjo, the Chairperson of People’s Rights and Forum for Development in Mugusu Sub County, Kabarole District.

During the program, Mr. Mukwano blamed leaders for not developing the youths who carry the biggest percentage of Uganda’s population. “Our leaders have not done much to develop the youths. Leaders have not formed long lasting and reliable strategies that can solve issues like unemployment among the youths. Youths have few representatives in parliament and that’s why we see government positions dominated by aged people who are no longer productive”.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sam Kibonge also participated in the live radio discussion by highlighting some of the reasons why the youth’s livelihood program may not realize much impact. “The youths livelihood program may not realize much impact because leaders did not make research among youths to seek for their opinion, no sensitization was done about the program, the program is targeting a small number of youths, money allocated to the program is too little to even help the few youths who are in groups and the introduction of the program has been a rash for meeting mutual interests in the election period”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins and using the SMS plat form to raise their issues and concerns. “Why should leaders introduce the youths livelihood program when we are approaching the presidential campaigns”, said Kirungi Tadeo from Fort Portal Municipality, “As youths, we have not been sensitized about the youths livelihood program”, said Bukenya from Karangura Sub County, Kabarole District, “Youths have been taken up by gambling activities like pool tables instead of embracing entrepreneurship development”, said Masiko Steven, “I advice youths not to rely on the youths livelihoods program for development because the allocated funds are too little”, said a caller from Kicwamba Sub County, Kabarole District, “We need to know where to get the application forms for funds of the Youths Livelihood program”, said Kamugisha Edward.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto.

Leaders call for good governance in Uganda

Leaders have called for good governance free from corruption and bribery during elections to ensure a stable and developed country especially now as Uganda prepares for the 2016 elections, “Leadership is the art and science of acquisition of power and the well distribution of natural resources. What we practice today in leadership will affect the young generation who are 75% of our population. Leaders should therefore desist from corruption practices so as to protect the young generation and grounding them to become better citizens of tomorrow.” Said Professor Edward Rugumayo while speaking at a one day debate held in Fort Portal on 28^th March 2014. Professor Edward Rugumayo is a former Speaker of the Uganda Parliament and former Tourism minister.

Participants during the debate

The debate which was organized by Kabarole Research and Resource Center (KRC) in partnership with other civil society organizations including ToroDev attracted over 1,000 participants mostly from the districts of the Rwenzori Region. The theme for the debate was, “Uganda and Multiparty politics; Exploring the opportunities for trans-formative change”. The meeting was held at Kagote Hall, Fort Portal Municipality, Kabarole District. Main speakers included leading journalists, political activists, political leaders and opinion leaders among others.

Mr. Andrew Mwenda, the CEO Independent Magazine blamed Ugandan leaders for focusing on rigging elections than providing the much needed service delivery, “Leaders use influential people to win votes. If President Museveni appointed a minister from Tooro, then all Batooro would vote for him. Using such tactics to win people’s votes is cheaper than creating better roads, health centers, among others.”

Mwenda also appealed to the opposition to change strategy and focus more in uplifting the livelihoods of the people to enable the development of democracy in Uganda, “The opposition in Uganda is very opportunistic over power and this is the reason why they have lost the support of the people. The opposition should construct their position through presenting people’s interests for them to be more relevant.” Said Mwenda.

The minister for local Government Hon. Adolf Mwesige praised the NRM government for introducing the multi party system in Uganda to ensure democracy, “NRM is not only a party but a liberator of Uganda. During the pre-colonial era, there was no democracy in kingdoms. But under the NRM system, a referendum was held and multi party system of governance was introduced which has enabled peace and stability in Uganda today.”

However, an MP from the opposition Hon. Mwanga Kivumbi challenged the ruling NRM government to strengthen democracy by strengthening the multi-party democracy through allowing free space to every Ugandan especially the opposition to exercise their political rights. “There are still weaknesses in multi-party democracy in Uganda where we find only one state party called the NRM party. Other parties are only there for legal, symbolism and donor benefits to the NRM party.” Said Mwanga Kivumbi.

“Issues discussed in parliament are not relevant to people’s demands”, Ndabitunga Charles

On 29^th March 2014, panelists appeared on HITS FM to discuss the issues and policies discussed by the Ugandan Parliament and whether they are relevant to the local people’s problems. “Issues discussed by the Ugandan Parliament are contradictory and not relevant to the people’s problems of service delivery. That’s why we have a poor education system that is not practical but theoretical and students study up to the university level without knowing what they are going to do because of the high rate of unemployment, corruption and poverty”, said Ndabitunga Charles. The panelist was discussing on ToroDev supported live radio accountability program called  ‘Orukurato Program’ that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (08:00 - 10:00pm).

Jacob Oulanya, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda

Other panelists who participated in the live radio discussion included Engineer Patrick Rubongoya, John Byabazaire and Lawyer Musana, all political activists of Fort Portal Municipality, Kabarole District.

During the discussion, Engineer Rubongoya indicated Uganda’s history before achieving her independence. “Uganda had earlier on lived under the leadership of kingdoms and chiefdoms. However, from 1894-1920 Uganda was under colonial rule, and after, she became a British protectorate until 1962 when she attained her independence. As Ugandans therefore, we need to get sustainable peace through practicing proper and true justice as the overall principle in governance”. 

Mr. Byabazaire also blamed leaders for seeking their own mutual interests than presenting people’s issues and demands. “Leaders have turned parliament into a business venture because of their selfishness and corruption. This has brought people’s development to a standstill and that’s why indigenous people cannot make any investments”.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Musana blamed the poor status of Ugandans on the poor governance. “Members of Parliament are moving the country basing on the President’s wishes forgetting that they were elected by local citizens into parliament to present people’s interests. The NRM (National Resistance Movement) caucus has also become another executive because it has taken the stand for the president and not for the people which has caused separation of power. This is why we are seeing that any member of the NRM party who stands against the President’s wishes becomes a rebel member of parliament”. 

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “The NRM government has been exploited by the rich who have become richer and pushed the poor to become poorer”, said Deo from South Division, Fort Portal Municipality, “The ground root of Uganda’s politics is so poor and full of military”, said Kusasira from Kasenda Sub County, Kabarole District, “People need to have confidence to do greater things through proper rule of law and unity”, said Okwiri from Hakibaale Sub County, Kabarole District, “Voters have spoilt Uganda by seeking for mutual interests from the aspiring candidates”, said David from Mbarara District.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto.

“A lot of money is spent at the central government and less money allocated to local governments”, Atuhaire Patrick

On 30^th March 2014, Mr. Atuhaire Patrick highlighted how much funds were being spent on the central government and less sent to local governments for project implementation and service delivery. This was during ToroDev’s supported radio discussion on Better FM called the ‘Listeners Forum’ a 2hr radio program that discusses issues of accountability every Sunday (8:00-10:00pm). “The government only allocates 15% of the funds to local governments and the rest is spent on the central government lavishly through buying I pads, paying expensive visits, making retreats among others”. 

The Uganda National Budget

Other panelists who participated in the live radio discussion included Hon Edson Businge, the LC III Chairperson of Hakibaale Sub County, Kenneth Bajenja, the Sub County Chief Hakibaale Sub County, Mugisa Moses the Chairperson of Hakibaale Committed Citizens for Better Service Delivery, Atuhaire Patrick the secretary of Hakibaale Commited Citizens for Better Service Delivery, and Mr. Kamugisha Frank, a local citizen of Kasenda Sub County, all in Kabarole District.

During the program, Mr. Edson praised all the local and political leaders from Hakibaale for the team work that contributed to the better performance of the projects. “In Hakibaale Sub County, we have two arms of the government, the technical arm that is responsible for the implementation of the projects and the political arm that is responsible for planning. During the assessment of minimum conditions and performance measures of local governments, Hakibaale Sub County got 98 points out of 110 points which means that a reward of 20% increment on funding will be provided on our budget”.

Mr. Mugisa also participated in the live radio discussion by indicating how Hakibaale Sub County still had a challenge of poor service delivery. “Kyaburungi Health Center II has only one staff, some parish chiefs are corrupt, local people are not informed and a lot of sensitization needs to be done, alcohol consumption by parents is so high yet they don’t want to support their children in school like providing books, pens, lunch among others and a lot of youths are also redundant in drugs and gambling acts”. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Kamugisha Frank also participated in the live radio discussion by raising the service delivery issues of Kasenda Sub County. “During the assessment of minimum conditions and performance measures of local governments, Kasenda Sub County got 15points out of 110. This means that our performance is very poor and we are going to get a penalty of 20% reduction on our funding.  We also have a problem of poor water in places like Nyabweya which has caused infections of bilharzias and malaria among the local people”.

Local citizens also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “We also need a rural radio debate so that issues are picked on ground”, said Godfrey from Kabagona in Mugusu Sub County, “How do we expect LC IIIs to perform better with the little funds from the government?” asked Mbaga Saidi from Kamwenge District, “Local citizens should come up and monitor their leaders and services being delivered instead of waiting for things to be done for them”, said Yahaya from Karugutu Town Council in Ntoroko District.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mukonyezi Wilfred.