“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.