ToroDev holds a dialogue meeting with advocacy forums Leaders/ Rural Monitors on 16th June 2015

The 16 advocacy forums have been formed by the 120 rural monitors who have been trained by ToroDev since August, 2012 in online advocacy, monitoring service delivery using online social media/ICT tools like Ushahidi platform for online documentation, visualization and mapping. The Advocacy Forums also use FM Radio Broadcasting as an ICT tool for “convergence or hub” since it is the most accessed media channel in the rural areas of the Rwenzori Region.

As a way of motivating, encouraging, strengthening & empowering the leaders & members of the 16 advocacy forums & rural monitors initiated by ToroDev, a dialogue meeting was held on 16^th June 2015 and it was attended by leaders and coordinators of the 16 advocacy forums at sub county level in the 7 districts of the Rwenzori region. The meeting was attended by 36 people, 16 females and 20 males. Each Forum was represented by the leader of the Forum and the coordinator.  

“I encourage our forum leaders and members to always be informed in order to advocate for better and improved services in their communities and also encourage you to cooperate with your local leaders, work hand in hand with them and engage them in your meetings, radio talks & workshops, all we want to see is change in service delivery in different sectors”, said the executive director of ToroDev Mr. Baguma Johnstone Kumaraki during the meeting that was held at ToroDev resource center.

Forum members during a training session:

The meeting aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of the 16 advocacy forum leaders & rural monitors in demanding and advocating for improved service delivery using appropriate tools that fit in the Minimum National Standards of Service Delivery (MNSSD). The forum leaders were taken through MNSSD in the sectors of education (primary), roads, water & sanitation and health ( health center 11s & 111s) by ToroDev Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) team , Florence Githinji & Shiela Amanya.

Meanwhile Mr. Bahabwa Vincent the chief executive officer of Booms Initiatives Uganda, an organization that promotes financial literacy in western Uganda shared with the forum leaders about financial literacy, saving for the future and how to sustain the work of the forum with or without the support of ToroDev.

 “What fails us to save is the reason why we think we are saving, have a percentage of your income saved however small it  is , one must have a saving plan and  be sure to him/herself on the things to spend and successful people plan for their expenses before the actual spending’’, said Mr. Bahabwa Vincent.

The leaders were also able to share with ToroDev team the challenges they face whenever they are doing the work of monitoring services in their respective sub counties which included:- 

Amos Karuhanga making his request to ToroDev:

“Our villages are very far from each other some of us have very big areas where we have to do the monitoring of services , we therefore, request ToroDev to facilitate us with motorcycles to ease  our movement’’, said Amos Karuhanga, chairperson Ntoroko Citizens Concern, a forum group in Ntoroko district.

“Sometimes we have information that requires backing up with photos for evidence and sometimes we do not have the cameras or voice recorders and we fail to get real evidence to share with our leaders, we request ToroDev to facilitate us with cameras so as to do our work effectively”, said Wilson Monday, coordinator Nkoma advocacy forum in Kamwenge district.

We are grateful to SIDA, NED, DRT, CIPESA, SPIDER, and ICT4DEM for their financial and technical support.

Kabarole District Chairperson Hon. Rwabuhinga Richard gives Accountability during the Accountability Conference held on 29th May 2015.

Hon. Rwabuhinga Richard

Kabarole district organized accountability conference on 29^th May 2015; the conference was attended by hundreds of people, who included the local, political, religious, cultural leaders, representatives from NGO and men and women from Kabarole District. The theme for the conference was ‘’Kabarole District on the Road towards Prosperity’’.

“Prosperity has been a journey characterized by a number of success stories as well as hardships but with funds from public resources, central government, and local revenue and support from development partners, we were able to achieve in a number of sectors like providing safe and clean water to Magunga Mugusu sub country Kabarole district, constructing different roads in Kicwamba, Hakibale, Kisomoro etc“.  Said the chairperson local council V for Kabarole district Hon. Rwabuhinga Richard

“There has been  a great improvement in Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) performance for example 422  grade ones in 2010 to 1439 grade ones in 2014, in production the district has increased Bananas  from 63 tons per week in 2003 to 4 410 tons in 2013/2014, on the road sector the district has managed to maintain 255 kms and rehabilitating a total of 149.8km of community access roads, more maternity centers have been opened both in public and private sector, supervised deliveries in the district stand at 68% in FY 2013/14 above the national target of 65% and the TB treatment success rate is now at 86% from 74% (national target is at 85%) and cure rate is at 69% from 43% in 2011 plus extension of Mugusu Gravity Flow Scheme to Katurru & Bubandi villages, Kicwamba Gravity Flow Scheme to Buharra ‘A’, Buharra ‘B’, Magunga & Kahondo villages under the water sector”. Said the chairperson local council V for Kabarole district Hon. Rwabuhinga Richard

Hon Rwabuhinga added that there are challenges that all hospitals, health centre IV, III and some health centre II in Kabarole district face, which may include few health workers, few trained medical doctors, few laboratories etc. There are about 4 CD4 machines in various health facilities, few trained health workers to do routine counseling & testing (RCT) and Kabarole District HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has remained high at 11.3% compared to national prevalence of 7.3% but we are trying to educate the youth to abstain and use condoms.

In his 2 hours  40 minutes address to the district Members of parliament, district executive committee members, district councilors, chief administrative officer, heads of departments and staff, development partners, faith based organization & religious leaders, sub county chairpersons, parish chairpersons & village chairpersons, Hon. Rwabuhinga showed it that the district received funds equivalent to  Ugshs. 122.252.448.284 (one hundred twenty two billions two hundred fifty two millions four hundred forty eight thousand two hundred eighty four shillings) for service delivery under various sectors for the last 4 years (2011-2014).

Accountability is a Cornerstone of good governance

The executive director of Kabarole Research and Resource Centre ( KRC) Mr. Mwanga Julius saluted Kabarole district leadership for being exemplary in giving accountability to the people of Kabarole district and Toro as a region.

Mr. Mwanga said this while presenting a communique’ on behalf of NGOs/CSOs operating in Rwenzori region at the district leaders conference on 29^th May 2015 at Kabarole district headquarters, Kitumba Fort portal municipality.

The well attended conference had chairperson LC 1s, LC11s, LC 111s, councilors, RDC, CAO, Technical staff among, representatives of NGOs/CSOs, religious leaders others and it was organized by Kabarole district local government.

Article by:

Kugonza David

Documentation & Communication Officer

ToroDev

Why social Media is important for visibility of organisations

While the proliferation of mobile devices has been quite phenomenal in developing countries, it is important to recognise the roles with which these ICT tools have played towards the development of communities, nations and also for indviduals and organisations.

Many young people today do own mobile phones and reseacrh show that they are able to use their mobile devices to access internet. In the same, institutions such as ToroDev can utilize the opportunities that social media play in development to enhahcne the institutional capacity and visibility of their organisations.

ToroDev have invested heavily in capacity building of its staff so that they are able to tale advantage of social media to increase  and make the work that they do more visible.

 David Kugonza, the Documentation and Communications Officer at ToroDev have just recently concluded a two days traoining organised by WOUGNET in Kampala on web 2.0 and social media and its expected that the skills he gained will be used to increase the online presence of ToroDev.


Article written by
Sheilla Amanya
ToroDev

Evaluation of Radio talk shows on Hits Fm on 9th May 2015 and Better Fm on 10th May 2015

Toro Development Network promotes access and utilization of information to rural communities through broadcast media such as radios. Phenomenal radio talk shows; Orukurato and Listeners Forum are aired on Hits Fm and Better Fm respectively. Participants in these shows include; central and local government leaders, civil society representatives and local citizens (youth and women). The aim of the shows is to provide an avenue where a wide range of issues on promoting public accountability for improved service delivery and involvement of local citizens in planning, budgeting and monitoring services that support their social economic development are discussed. To make the shows more engaging and interesting to the listener ship, they take a debate form. Thirty four (34) talk shows have been held in the period 2nd January 2015 to 10th May 2015.

Of great importance to Toro Development Network is the active participation of local citizens. Their participation has been on live talk shows, call-in and sms. 

To assess the performance of the talk shows, an evaluation exercise was planned and executed. The evaluation was held on air where seventy five ( 75) local citizens actively participated through call-in, sms and on face book. Important to note, only 8 women participated which maybe an indication that women are still vulnerable. The following report highlights the findings of the exercise; achievements, challenges and recommendations.

M&E officer Miss Sheilla Amanya live on Better Fm during the Evaluation talk show

  Achievements attributed to the radio talk shows.

Radio talk shows have improved service delivery in Mugusu sub county Kabarole District . "As members of Rights & Forum for Development, forum based in Mugusu sub county we were hosted on Better Fm in April 2015 where we  discussed issues related to improving water services in Myeri Village, we are happy that leaders  were able to listen to the talkskow and they  called us to present this petition to the district chairperson which we did  on 13th/April 2015. We are happy that  Hon. Richard Rwabuhinga the district chairperson for Kabarole pledged 1.5km extention to Kijongo village & 2 kilometers to Mweri village, the water extension will be done in the next financial budget/year (2015-2016) that begins in July 2015, and water will be extended to the two villages without fail, thanks to the radio talk shows". Said Mr.Senyonjo Mukwano the leader of Rights & Forum for Development, forum.

Radio talk shows have improved security in Mugusu Sub county. "There  used to be  lots of insecurity in Mugusu Sub-county, people's retail shops were routed everyday and  business people had  resorted to sleeping in their shops to guard their goods,  we  shared this issue on radio and we are happy today that police officers are doing night patrol, new police officers have been employed and those who were not working well were transferred to other places and now we have enough security and properties are well protected, this is all after sharing the issue on radio and leaders listened and acted positively ". Said  Tibenda  Stephen the Secretary of  People' Rights and forum for development , Kabarole District. 

Local citizens reported to having a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities. “The talk shows have created a platform to marginalized population/groups of women and youth to know their rights, responsibilities and lobby for improved service delivery from their political and local leaders”, reported Miss Shamim, a caller from Kisojo Sub-County in Kyenjojo District.

Participants noted that local leaders were now more accountable as opposed to the past.“There has been an increase in information sharing by local leader and political leaders, civil society leaders and technocrats as a result of the talk shows, the talk shows have provided a platform to provide public accountability for improved service delivery”, noted Jane Kahuma from Katembe-Mukole, Kyenjojo District. 

ICT tools especially the use of FM radio stations have helped to improve accountability, monitoring service delivery and citizen participation in governance.  “Radio programs have empowered local citizens with information and knowledge to demand for public accountability and lobby for improved service delivery, the live talk shows have even opened the eyes of women who used to be very shy to air out their views,but now women are brave enough to also call in and courageously ask for better services and share their problems with their leaders, leaders who have been reporting to offices late are exposed and they have changed………”, observed Mugisa James a caller from Muhoti, west division, Kabarole District.  

 Leaders eyes have been opened by the radio talk shows, those who have not been active have been awakened by the local citizens who attend the talk show and campaign against the sleeping leaders. “The talk shows have awakened the inactive leaders to evaluate their performance and start working for improved services……..”Said Kugonza David, Documentation & Communication Officer, ToroDev.

Challenges identified by the listeners of the radio talkshows

Leaders participation is still wanting; sometimes leaders are invited for the talk show but turn down the invitation, many technocrats demand facilitation in terms of transport, accommodation allowances, etc, “We find it hard to bring technocrats to the show because some are not ready to volunteer, and even some leaders have been invited but turn down the invitation at the last hour which makes our work move slowly than anticipated’’, Mr.Kumaraki B. Johnstone, Executive Director ToroDev.

Lack of commitment by some local leaders who pledge to improve services but never act on their promises;“The political leaders come  for talkshows and  make promises to improve services in health sectors, education, road etc,  but they don't fulfill these promise but thanks to the good work  of the talkshows which helps us to go back and remind them …..” Tibenda Stephen caller from Mugusu, Sub-County, Kabarole District.

The time for the talk show is not enough to fully enable participants discuss the issues of service delivery and accountability in their local areas, “the talk-show is listened to by all the people in the region [Rwenzori Region] and many people participate though call-ins and SMS. This causes a lot of congestion and not all people participate during the talk show due to limited time for all the callers”,  Alinda Mary caller from   Kisojo  subcounty,  Kyenjojo  District,

Recommendations

There is need to organize rural radio debates to enhance local citizens’ participation especially where the call in rates are low; for example in districts like Ntoroko, Kyegegwa and Kamwenge. Most rural citizens fail to participate in the live radio discussions due to poverty, high illiteracy rates and traditional cultural values which especially limit women participation in live radio discussions.Rural radio debates will bring the discussions closer to the local grassroots and hence ensure effective accountability and service delivery monitoring, “They should record voices of the local people and take them on radio to enable listeners fully discuss their issues without wasting airtime on phone and transport coming to radio” Said Murungi Charles Ntoroko District

Technocrats should be invited through the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to be facilitated so that they can share with people in different communities.

Leaders/ technocrats invited for the talk shows should communicate in time if they are unable to appear for the discussion in order not to affect the program flow.

We are grateful to SIDA, NED, DRT, CIPESA, SPIDER, and ICT4DEM for their financial and technical support.

Campaign to mobilize funds for Heart machine!

Heart machine

On 18^th April 2015 Mr. Asiimwe Bob a local citizen of Fort portal, Kabarole district and Dr Musinguzi  Edwin  a medical doctor of  Buhinga Regional Referral Hospital in Kabarole district, were hosted live on Hits Fm Orukurato talkshow to give un update  about  mobilizing for funds to acquire a heart machine for Rwenzori Region  

Mobilizing the funds for the heart machine in Kabarole came after the death of Hon Halima Wakabu the director of Green circle school in Fort portal Municipality in 2013.

“The main reason for us to appear on this radio talkshow today is to  update people of Rwenzori Region how far the fundraising has reached, what next can be done to raise the funds  and what can be done to see that we have the machine in place?,  I think we  can mobilize  resources  through organising events like  charity walk, marathon, dinners, etc so that the required amount for the machine is collected”  Said Asiimwe Bob.

Bob added that since 2013 when the account was opened, there is currently a cash collection of 1.156.275= (one million one hundred fifty six thousand two hundred seventy five shillings). Three people deposited and these are Hon. Alex Ruhunda (one million Ugandan Shillings), and concerned citizens that is Mr Mwesige (100,000=) and Mr.  Richard (100,000=) 

“Our lifestyles have  led to increased diseases especially heart related diseases and high blood pressure, our habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, eating habits, lack of exercising, too much relaxation, etc are the main causes of high blood pressure and heart diseases, we need to have this machine in place to reduce on the costs of traveling to Mulago”. Said Dr. Musinguzi Edwin of Buhinga Regional Referral Hospital in Kabarole district.’

Dr.Musinguzi  added the only way to fight the above disease  everyone need to  avoid smoking tobacco, avoid eating too much meat and oily staff, do regular exercises, stop covering food with polythene bags (buvera), do regular medical checkups and embrace the government proposed vaccination campaign If we are to succeed in fighting cancer.

 During the 2 hours program over 15 people called in and over 10 sent messages to contribute to the topic.

"If we can fully coordinate with our leaders, we cannot fail to buy the heart machine, lets work hand in hand with the leaders". Said  Edward  a caller from Fort portal.

"We dont have any doctor who can work on heart issues so even if we get the machine it will also require to have a medical doctor to operate".  James  a caller from Kamengo, Kabarole district

The 2 hour live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto and is supported  by ToroDev in partnership with SIDA, NED, DRT,SPIDER, ICT4 Dem, and Hits Fm

Political leaders have failed to fulfill the pledges they made to the people of Mwenge North, Kyenjojo District.

 Myeri- Katooke  road

On 19^th April 2015, the chairperson of Katooke Peoples Forum Mr. Muzoora Godwin was hosted live on Better Fm during the listener’ forum to discuss about political leaders failing to fulfill the pledges they made. “Political leaders like the member of parliament Mwenge North Hon Muhumuza David pledged to construct several roads like Myeri- Katooke Road, Kinogero road, Nyakisi road, Katooke- Kyenjojo road etc but nothing  serious like construction or renovation has taken place since he came in power, we still have the muddy roads, full of pot holes and very impassable if you move to Myeri- Katooke  now you can see what  I am talking about”.  Said Mr Muzoora Godwin

Godwin added the road from Rubango-Kibaale- Kakangeyo to Misenyi in Katooke Sub County, Kyenjojo district, the contract was awarded to the water engineer of Kyenjojo district local government. He together with his contractors opened the road and stopped before finishing  the work, then went to Kisojo where he was to work on Kisojo- B - road, Misenyi then to Kanabisa bridge in Rwamukora, he did not finish the work and actually did nothing. 

“Our leaders are supposed to monitor the work done by the constructors and they should try to fulfill the pledges they made as much as possible at least 70% during the term of office”. Said Katusabe Grace the caller from, Kyenjojo District. 

"Education in Katooke  has not been a priority with this ruling government there is a big gap in education system, the standard has failed to improve E.g Mukole, Iboroga and Rwamukora Primary schools were very good schools 8 years back  but as we talk when you reach there, one cannot believe the state the schools are in, the pupil teacher ratio is alarming not forgetting the congestion in classrooms which actually cannot yield positive result”. Said  Mugume Amos, a caller from Katooke Sub county   

 “There is need to put more efforts in improving the education standards, get more building  to reduce congestion  and get more  trained teachers. As people of Katooke there is nothing we have benefited in these 5 years in-terms of improved service delivery”. Said Mr. Muzoora Godwin.

The 2 hour live radio program is sponsored by ToroDev in partnership with SIDA, NED, DRT, CIPESA, SPIDER, ICT4DEM and Better Fm