“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.