“Insurance is not only for the rich” IRA Staff

The communications officer of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), Ms. Mariam Nalukuma has appealed to the local citizens in the Rwenzori Region, western Uganda not to view insurance as only meant for the rich. “with UGX 50,000 and above per month you can get an insurance package therefore, it’s important to note that insurance isn’t  for only the rich but for everyone” Said Mariam.

While participating on the orukurato live radio talkshow on Hits FM, Fort Portal on Saturday 15^th November, 2014 (08:00 – 10pm), mariam also warned local citizens who are interested in subscribing to any insurance package of their choice to always let their next of kin know to enable proper processing of their claims especially in times of sickness incase of life insurance.

Mr. Sande Protazio

The live radio discussion which was also attended by the IRA Assistant Director of market research, Mr. Sande Protazio who sensitized the radio listeners on the meaning of insurance and types of insurance, “Insurance means putting in place measures to safeguard loss or accident. However, to put in place such a safeguard, you must pay a premium to an insurance company. There are many insurance packages like workers compensation, home owner’s policy, etc” Said Sande.

“In Uganda, our incomes are very low and also the saving culture is very low but when you are registered with an insurance company for a particular package it is like paying rent. Therefore, it’s important to register for an insurance package to assist in properly planning for any eventuality for instance life insurance helps you to gracefully age” added sande.

Sande further appealed to the local citizens to report any cases of failure by insurance companies to fulfill people’s claims to IRA so that they can be dealt with, “If you are registered with an insurance company and subscribed to a package and the insurance company fails to fulfill kindly give us a call so that we can deal with it. We appeal to insurance companies to also pay their claims.”

During the 2 hour live radio program, listeners participate through call-ins, SMS, online for instance Edward a caller from Kabarole called in the radio program to understand more on insurance for SACCOs and other accidents like earthquakes which Mr. Sande answered saying that SACCOs or groups can purchase an insurance package from many insurance companies with a reduced cost compared to an individual because the risks for a group are always minimal.

  

The live radio discussion which was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Williams Donanto is supported by Toro Development Network (ToroDev) in partnership with SIDA, Mountains of the Moon University, Hits FM, BOU and GIZ.

Contact details of IRA incase of any claims complaints

More: 

Plot 5, Kyadondo Road, Nakasero. Legacy Towers, Block B, 2^nd Floor

P. O Box 22855, Kampala Uganda

Email: ira@ira.go.ug

Tel: 0312-266364/0414-346712/041-4253564

Web: http://www.ira.go.ug/

“Citizens are not well sensitized on the role of MPs” Rwamuhumbu

Mr. Rwamuhumbu Davis, an opinion leader from Kabarole district, Western Uganda has indicated that there is increased ignorance from citizens on the role of their leaders because citizens are not well sinsitised about the constitution.

Mr. Rwamuhumbu was participating on the Orukurato live radio discussion supported by ToroDev on Hits FM, Fort Portal which was broadcast on 8^th November, 2014 (08:00 – 10:00pm). The topic for discussion was, “What are the roles of Members of Parliament”.

The discussion topic was in response to the tracfm poll question titled, “As a citizen of Uganda, what is the role you expect from your Members of Parliament? Available online at http://tracfm.org/p/view/1178/

Uganda Parliament

“Citizens are not well sensitized on the role of their Members of Parliament. The roles of MPs are in the 1995 Uganda constitution however; our leaders haven’t also taken keen interest to educate the local citizens on the constitution. When leaders are looking for votes, they promise heaven on earth.” Said Rwamuhumbu

Rwamuhumbu cited examples of the empty promises leaders tell the local citizens while looking for votes like construction of roads, bridges, hospitals and schools among others.

“An MP doesn’t construct roads, hospitals, schools, among other things. He/she can only lobby for bigger budgeting for sectors like road construction, health and education improvement, etc. He/she can also legislate better laws to improve service delivery” Added Rwamuhumbu.

Listeners participated through call-ins, SMS and online for instance Bataringaya, a caller from Kabarole district who indicated that the problem is not ignorance of the laws but poverty from the local citizens. Mwesige, a caller from Njara – Fort Portal Municipality called live and asked why most of the issues discussed by MPs in parliament aren’t implemented?   

  

The Orukurato live radio discussion which is moderated by Kasigazi Willy Donanto and supported by SIDA and NED.  

It is important to have a budget, says expert

The Business Lecturer Mountains of the Moon University, Mr. Mawenu Vicent has appealed local citizens especially in the Rwenzori Region to have a budget to enable them reduce wasteful expenditure and hence improve on their livelihoods.

“It’s important to have a budget, it’s also important to have the discipline to stick to your budget because it will assist you control wasteful spending. It’s also important for people to identify and plan for their basic necessities of life early like feeding, clothing, housing, etc so that they can be able to fulfill them in time to have a better life.” Said Mawenu.

A sample of the Uganda Currency (UGX 50,000)

Mawenu was discussing a topic titled, “personal financial management” on Sunday, 2^nd November, 2014 at the Listeners Forum live radio discussion on Better FM, Fort Portal which is supported by Toro Development Network (ToroDev).

The discussion which was also attended by Ms. Kenema Revocate – a researcher on financial literacy issues who appealed to the local citizens to develop a culture of saving to fight poverty, “we need to instill in ourselves a culture of saving and we don’t need to start with a lot of money for instance if you have UGX 10,000, you can start by saving UGX 2,000 and go on increasing because one by one makes a bundle.” Said Revocate.

Revocate further highlighted that the culture of saving in Uganda is still very low which has led to increased poverty in the country, “recent research conducted indicates that only 17 percent of the Uganda population keep their money in banks supervised by Bank of Uganda, 60 percent keep their money in their homes for instance under their mattresses which is not healthy and the excuse they always give for not saving is because they are poor, if they are poor then where do they get money to meet their basic necessities of life?.” Said Revocate.

To reduce poverty especially in the rural areas of Uganda, ToroDev in partnership with Bank of Uganda, GIZ and Mountains of the Moon University, Fort Portal has rolled out two live radio discussions on financial literacy every month of Hits FM and Better FM.

During the live radio discussions, topics on personal financial management, savings, investments, loans, planning for retirement, insurance, etc will be discussed and local citizens, leaders and experts on financial literacy will be participating in the discussions.

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