Citizens Reap Big in Kasese District

In January 2012, a Citizens parliament was formed in Nyakiyumbu Sub County, Kasese District as a platform for the citizens to discuss the issues concerning the communities around them. They thought it as the best way to speed up development in their area. It is evident now that the NA has not disappointed the dream of the Citizens as it has yielded positively.

The first N/A discussed water scarcity. Water had become a luxury in the sub county. It is no wonder that the women had begun mobilizing themselves for a peaceful demonstration! The formation of the Community social forum also known as the Citizens parliament came at a right time for the peaceful engagement with the local leaders of the area and water now flows at least thrice a week. Government has promised to construct the Nyakirango protected spring into a Gravity water flow scheme to increase the volume of water and also the repair the existing tap stands is going on.

After discussing road network and need to scale up the Agricultural produce in the second parliament, the potholes that existed in the roads have been covered especially the road that joins Kolongoire T/Centre to Ndongo Trading center. Kasese District Local government in collaboration with Nyakiyumbu sub county local government is going to provide a 45km road, a modern market and also supply more improved coffee seedlings to the people to improve the produce and transportation of the produce to the existing markets.

On the issue of schools, infrastructure and performance, teachers have started holding zonal meetings about the same and the citizens now have high hopes in the performance of the pupils in the sub county this year. The building that had spent 3 years without completion has been completed in Muhindi primary school since the sitting of the third CSF which entirely discussed the fate of Education in the sub county. The construction of Kayanzi primary school staff quarters is on and also there has been construction of a latrine in Nyakasojo primary school.

And now the fourth parliament discussed poaching in the area which has eaten up the entire community and engaged the Uganda Wild Life Authority to get the entire community participate actively interfacing the relevant authorities. UWA authorities promised to back the sensitization the parliament had began to reduce or do away with the diverstating effects of poaching which is the main cause of the increased number of orphans in the sub county. They also promised to support their SACCOs to improve the livelihoods of the community members. They also suggested that such a forum should be formed in Kyarumba sub county especially in Kabirizi because it is now ranking the first in the number of poachers and that NAPA should help in creating sensitization through Drama and Music as the strategy they used during the Parliament session.

All the above have been attributed to the Citizens parliament and commitment of the sub county leadership of taking Citizens issues as a priority in their work. BRAVO Citizens Manifesto, Bravo Citizens Parliament.

By SCOVIA MASIKA

KALI