“Most of the leaders have not fulfilled their responsibilities”, Muganzi Patrick

On 10^th May 2014, local citizens appeared on HITS FM to discuss some of the challenges that are affecting development. “Most of our leaders in Tooro Region have not carried out their responsibility of uniting local citizens to realize development. We have religious, political, technical, civil and cultural leaders and these leaders have never come together to discuss/share knowledge as regards different issues, demands and challenges in society. Even the number of people in Tooro Region is not known which has led to poor planning”, said Muganzi Patrick, the Minister for Works in Tooro Kingdom. The minister was discussing on ToroDev’s supported 'Orukurato Program', a 2hr weekly live radio discussion that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (8:00-10:00pm).

Yoweri K Museveni, President of Uganda

The live radio discussion was also attended by Mr. John Kusemererwa, the Chairperson of Rwengaju Model Parish Elders and Youths Development Forum, Mr. Kamba Bob the General Secretary of Rwengaju Model Parish Elders and Youths Development Forum, Mr. Okyaki Ema, and Isaza Rugumayo, all local citizens of Rwengaju Sub County in Kabarole District.

During the live radio discussion, Mr. John Kusemererwa indicated the reason that led to the formation of Rwengaju Model Parish Elders and Youths Development Forum. “We formed this forum after President Museveni had failed to fulfill his presidential pledge of giving us electricity and water in Rwengaju Sub County. This was because of the poor information flow between the president and the local people that was caused by the incompetent leaders who are disorganized, have political differences and are not coordinated”.

Mr. Kamba also participated in the live radio discussion by indicating the challenge of poor water in Rwengaju Sub County. “We have seventeen cells in Rwengaju Sub County which include Nyabwina, Top Hill, Kidubuli, Kyakabaka, among others and all these cells depend on one well. Leaders should form strategies of providing us with more water sources so as to protect people’s health because bad health is not productive”. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Okyaki also indicated the challenge of incompetent leaders in Rwengaju Sub County that has led to poor service delivery. “The biggest challenge that we have in Rwengaju Sub County is lack of unity most especially among our local leaders. This has highly affected proper service delivery and that’s why we have poor roads like Busoro High way road and poor education system with many senior four drop outs who cannot match with the competing world”.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto and is supported by SIDA/CIPESA and SPIDER/Stockholm University on a project aimed at using appropriate ICT tools to promote democratic engagement in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda.