Analyzing the general performance of students from primary level to Ordinary level

On 15^th March 2014, panelists appeared on HITS FM to analyze the education sector and the declining performance at Ordinary level, yet a better performance at Primary level. “Our students are performing poorly because of the poor service delivery. During the examinations period, roads become impassable because of the heavy rains which makes students miss their classes and exams. Even the teachers lack concentration because of the poor working conditions like lack of staff quarters”, said Businge John, a teacher of Ibanda University.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).

Uganda's Minister of Education and Sports Jessica Alupo

Other panelists who participated in the live radio discussion included Mr. Willy Kintu Mahogane, a local citizen of Kagote Trading Center and Hon Prosper Businge, the Chairperson LC III of West Division, all in Fort Portal Municipality, Kabarole District.

During the program, Hon Prosper blamed the government for the poor performance of the Ordinary Level ( O Level) of education. “The government has centralized the secondary education system and all the control is in Kampala. This has made it hard for the technocrats at district level to have full control over  the teachers since they are registered and paid from Kampala. There should therefore be amendment of this system in order to realize better performance of the students”.

Hon Prosper went ahead to highlight some of the strategies that should be made by the local citizens to improve education. “We need to form strategies to up lift performance in secondary schools such as collecting funds that can help to motivate teachers and students in hard to reach areas, improve on salary payments, and fight child labour”.

Meanwhile, Mr. Willy blamed parents for the poor performance in schools. “Parents have quit their responsibility of looking after their children and put all their emphasis on working. They have taken children as young as two years to school which later affects their psychology. Some parents have also not been role modals to their children due to their poor habits like drunkenness ,lack of self motivation caused by lack of civilization and leaving the responsibility of education for the government”. 

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins and using the SMS plat form to raise their issues and concerns. “Parents have left the whole responsibility of education to the government”, said Gilbert from Kicwamba, “Government should start providing meals for the students”, said Alex Byaruhanga, “Parents should also get involved in government programs”, said Chance, “Teachers no longer have morale to teach due to the poor payments”, said Omugaya.

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

“Some of our women get miscarriages due to the poor health services”, Kabakumbya Jane

On 11^th March 2014, local citizens of Rukora Parish, Bweramule Sub County in Ntoroko District showed their out cry over the poor service delivery in their parish. This was during the rural radio debate conducted by Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred, a moderator of the ‘Listeners Forum’ on Better FM, a radio discussion that is sponsored by ToroDev. “Our leaders have not fulfilled what they promised, we have only one bore hole in the whole parish. Services at the health center are also poor with no staffs working at night since they all sleep in  Rwebisengo Sub County”, said Kisembo, “We have only one tap in the whole parish which is not enough for the many homes, this has made many people use water from River Semuliki which is not safe. Our health center II also doesn’t have a mid wife which has caused a lot of miscarriages among pregnant women  ”, said Kabakumbya Jane, “Our roads are so poor and imassable during the rainy season”, said Muntu K Willy.

Ntoroko District Headquarters Sign Post in Kibuku Town Council

The people’s issues were run on Better FM radio on 16^th March 2014 during the Listener’s Forum 8:00-10:00pm for the local leaders intervention. The live radio discussion was also attended by Mrs.  Agnes Birungi, the District Community Development Officer of Kyegegwa District and Hon Kitakule Hadijjah, the  Chairperson, Women’s Council, Kyegegwa District. 

During the discussion, Hon Kitakule appealed to women to join groups so as to benefit from government programs. “We always get grants on a yearly basis from the National Council of Women, and this money is meant to help women fight poverty through entrepreneurship development and other developmental areas. Women should therefore join groups such as SACCOS and community groups so as to benefit from these funds”.

Mrs. Agnes also participated in the live radio discussion by highlighting the rights of a woman as regards to economic empowerment. “Women have their rights regarding economic empowerment such as the right in decision making from house hold level to national level, a right to production, a right to having equal participation in development processes, ownership and control of resources, a right to equality in sharing of benefits, among others”.

Meanwhile, Hon Hadijjah highlighted some of the factors that have caused the slow pace of development among women in Kyegegwa District. “Women’s  development in Kyegegwa District is being affected by factors such as lack of enough funds to sensitize women, domestic violence, lack of team work, and lack of motivation and transparency”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “Maintenance of the roads is so poor, even the culverts are poorly fixed”, said Amos from Rwebisengo Sub County, “Our husbands do not want us to work and earn a better living”, said Annet from Hakibaale Sub County, “Our leaders are not willing to give us the Bill Of Quantities of the tender of the construction of Karugutu HC IV”, said Yahaya Abubakari from Karugutu Town Council, “Women leaders of Ntoroko District should also go an radio and give us accountability”, said Muntu Willy from Ntoroko District.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred.  

Highlighting of the passed “anti-pornography and anti-homosexuality” bills

On 8^th March 2014, the Resident District Commissioner of Kabarole District Mr. Steven Asiimwe appeared on HITS FM to discuss the passed anti-pornography and anti-homosexuality bills and their implications to Ugandans. “The anti-homosexuality act has been passed and as local leaders, we shall work hand in hand with the government to see that this bill is implemented”. This was during ToroDev’s supported live radio accountability program on HITS FM called ‘Orukurato Program’ that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (8:00 – 10:00pm).

President Yoweri Museveni signs the new anti-gay bill

During the program, Mr. Asiimwe indicated how Uganda will do away with foreign aid that is based on neo-colonialism. “Uganda would rather be poor in freedom than being rich in slavery.  We shall not accept to lose our morals and lose protection over the future generation because of foreign aid. As Ugandans, we need to understand that we are an independent country and should therefore focus on fighting poverty so that we move away from foreign aid and be self-reliant”.  

Mr. Asiimwe went ahead to discuss how corruption is still a challenge in Uganda. “Corruption is still so high among the local leaders, and those holding offices. That’s why we see Ugandans so poor, with poor services yet we have fertile soils and a good climate that can support agriculture which would be improving the economy of this country. The constructed highway roads that have freed Uganda from being land locked to being a land connected country have also improved trade and the county’s economy. But it is so unfortunate that all this money is being misused to satisfy people’s mutual interests”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins and using the SMS plat form to raise their issues and concerns. “I don’t support the anti-pornography bill because it has caused violence among the local citizens by attacking women who put on mini-skirts”, said Kyomuhendo Steven, “Our Members of Parliament have never come back on ground to pick people’s issues yet our service delivery is so poor”, said Apollo from Kasenda Sub County in Kabarole District, “We don’t know the responsibility of our Members of Parliament”, said Baguma from Kiculeta in Fort Portal Municipality, “I don’t support the anti-pornography bill because it has caused violence among women”, said Julie from Rwengoma  in West Division, Fort Portal Municipality.

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

“Our local leaders threaten us when we demand for better services”, Karwana Steady

On 25^th February 2014, local citizens of Rwebisengo Sub County in Ntoroko District showed their outcry over the poor service delivery in their Sub County. This was during the rural radio debate conducted by Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred, a moderator of the ‘Listeners Forum’ on Better FM, a radio discussion that is sponsored by ToroDev. “We have a challenge of water stoppages, this makes us go for over a month without clean water”, said Kato Richard, “Power shortages has affected our businesses and spoilt our machines such as fridges, printers, among others. We also don’t have technical people to manage electricity in Rwebisengo Sub County, we always depend on those from Bundibugyo District”, said Butebe Amos, “The performance of our secondary schools is so poor, this has been caused by weaknesses of the school management committees and the school  boards”, said Jackson, “We have never got budgets and  work plans from the local leaders concerning the different contracts”, said Mirembe Charles, “Rwebisengo - Karugutu road is so poor and full of pot holes”, said Mugume John.

Hon. Minister of Health: Dr Ruhakana Rugunda

The people’s issues were run on Better FM radio on 9^th March 2014 during the Listeners’ Forum 8:00-10:00pm for the local leaders intervention. The live radio discussion was also attended by Mr. Kaliba David, a local citizen of Karugutu Town Council in Ntoroko District and Mr. Tibeeha John Bosco, the secretary of Bufunjo People’s Forum in Bufunjo Sub County, Kyenjojo District.  

During the discussion, Mr. Kaliba indicated the poor status of Karugutu Health Center IV. "The roof of the administration block and the general ward was blown off by heavy rains that were  characterized by strong winds in October 2013, but up to now, it has never been worked upon. Patients are using tents that were donated by different humanitarian organizations which are also unbearable under the hot weather. The health center also lacks some of the drugs yet it is the best health center in Ntoroko District. Patients who need serious attention are referred to Buhinga Hospital which is far and one has to buy fuel for the ambulance”. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Tibeeha also participated in the live radio discussion by indicating how the high rate of corruption in Bufunjo Sub County is affecting proper service delivery. “Proper service delivery in Bufunjo Sub County has highly been affected by local leaders who are self-seekers and corrupt. Some of these corrupt leaders under look local citizens who raise service delivery issues. I therefore appeal to the local citizens to stand firm and participate in monitoring such leaders so that better service delivery is realized in the Sub County”.  

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through calls ins to raise their issues and concerns. “If local people join hands in demanding for better service delivery, our country will be a better place to live in”, said Mukwano Ssenyonjo from Mugusu Sub County, “Rural radio debates will help us in seeking for local leaders intervention into our service delivery issues”, said Steady from Ntoroko District.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred.

“We buy a Jerrican of water at Shs.2000 (two thousand shillings)”, Naume

On 25^th February 2014, local citizens of Kibuku Town Council in Ntoroko District showed their outcry over the poor service delivery in their Town Council.  This was during the rural radio debate conducted by Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred, a moderator of the ‘Listeners’ Forum’ on Better FM, a radio discussion sponsored by ToroDev. “Each homestead paid Shs.15,000(fifteen thousand) towards the construction of a borehole at the district, yet we now buy a Jerrican of water at shs.2000”, said Naume, “Kibuku-Nyabusozi road is poor, we cannot access network, we have no transformer for electricity, and the market has no water”, said George, “Pregnant women move a long distance to Karugutu HC IV to access antenatal care”, said Katusiime Loy, “Leaders should help us on the poor services”, said Kahinju Jenipher, “As youths, we are not supported in development programs”, said Arthur Johnson, “We have no electricity which has highly affected our businesses”, said Kabasemeza Light, “As youths, we mine sand and a trip is Shs.25,000 yet we pay a license of Shs.25,000 on a monthly basis, but we have not seen any impact from the collected taxes because our services have remained poor”, said Beneferi. 

Hon. Adolf Mwesige, Minister for Local Governmnets

The people’s issues were run on Better FM radio on 2^nd March 2014 during the ‘Listeners’ Forum’ 8:00-10:00pm for the local leaders’ intervention. The live radio discussion was also attended by Mr. Mugisa Moses, the Chairperson of Hakibaale Committed Citizens for Better Services, Mr. Atuhaire Patrick, the coordinator of Hakibaale Committed Citizens for Better Services and Mr. Kudak, a local citizen of Hakibaale Sub County in Kabarole District.

During the discussion, Mr. Mugisa indicated how schools in Hakibaale Sub County were performing poorly. “We have six primary schools and one secondary school in Hakibaale Sub County, but all the schools are performing poorly with decreasing first grades. The poor performance is caused by the ignorance of the parents and the high rate of corruption among our local leaders. Even the school management teams are weak, schools have no enough teachers and there is also no recruitment done”.

Mr. Atuhaire also participated in the live radio discussion by appealing to the parents to perform their responsibility in educating their children. “Parents should know their responsibility and not leave the whole task for teachers. They should stop wasting money in drinking alcohol but invest it in supporting their children’s education.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Kudak highlighted the poor services in Hakibaale Sub County. “Our roads are so poor, such roads include Kibasi-Kigandwa road, Kiburara-Kahangi road, Mbagi road, among others. Kibasi Health Center  has no drugs, pupils of Kyeitamba Primary School sit on mats and the school buildings are in a sorry state. Teachers of Muhangi Primary School are also wasting a lot of time in drinking alcohol instead of concentrating on teaching pupils.  Local leaders should also help us on  Kaitanjwahi river that floods and blocks students of Rusekere Secondary School”.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Mukonyezi Wilfred.