RWECO at UBC TV

The day was bright in Kampala, at 11:20am 24^th August, 2012, RWECO staff Jimmy BO and Sheila K make the final look at the presentation which they had prepared, a call from Mr. Howard Tumwine reminding the team about the protocol at UBC. Okay, we are set, Howard confirms that when at the check point at UBC, RWECO was booked in to appear at UBCTV and want to meet the Sales executive manager UBC TV. All was set and we head to UBC TV, Emma Oluka behind  the wheels from CEWIT Office on Spear House. I see the UBC TV building, Emma tells the askari at the entrance that he was dropping the team, but wait a minute, your car must be checked even if you are making a turn. I presented my ID and signed the visitors book, Sheila followed and we were given entrance cards. At the second entrance, we were told to go to flour four where the sales department was located, all went on well as we went through all the protocol meeting the moderator, discussing our presentation  word per word and line by line. She edits and okays the presentation, time check 1:30Pm. We were ushered into the studio, camera set, and all papers in proper position, phones off or in silent, Jimmy whispers to Sheila check your phone again!!!.

On camera now, moderator introduces her self as Emily Mwebaze, the team from RWECO and welcomes the viewers. Asks what is RWECO and what activities are you  involved in?

Response:

•       Founded in 2008 by four local organisation (KALI, GHFRD, RIDE AFRICA & RICNET

•       Registered and operates in 7 districts, 80 sub counties of the Rwenzori Region;

Ms. Emily Mwebazi with Jimmy and Sheila in the UBC TV studios

•       RWECO is a civil society watchdog on good governance and is a public policy lobby agency that is committed to contribute to the improvement of the quality of governance in the country by empowering citizens to actively participate in their own governance;

Vision:“RWECO envisages a peaceful, democratic state with prosperous citizenry”.

Mission:“RWECO exists to enhance the civic competence to demand for voice and accountability in governance and service delivery through meaningful and principled engagement between citizens and the state”.

Objectives:

•       To enhance civic competence on voice and accountability in the Rwenzori region and beyond so citizens can effectively engage duty bearers and demand for equitable social services.

•       To undertake and/or coordinate advocacy activities on major policy issues at regional, national and international level

•       To mobilize resources and enhance internal systems for the RWECO members including accountability, public support and sustainability.

•       To coordinate capacity building of the RWECO members and constituents in citizen empowerment on constitutionalism, human rights and good governance.

Moderator: what are the main activities:

Response:

•       Coordination of member activities

•       Research and advocacy on governance, human rights, corruption, livelihoods improvement, social justice and related issues

•       Building the capacity of the citizenry and civil society

•        Networking with CSOs/Government agencies in the promotion of good governance 

 Projects implemented:

•       Social Accountability, 3 years project supported by Hivos, and 2 year project supported by Hivos and European Union;

What challenges do you face, Emily (right) asking RWECO staff

•       Citizens manifesto in Action suported by Oxfam Novib;

•       Improving Quality of Education through enhancing communication skills supported by the Edukans Foundations

Area of operation:

•       Rwenzori Region in 7 districts of: Kasese, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko

•       80 sub counties for Hivos project, 11 s/c for EU project and 10 for CM

•       Target: LG leaders, Vulnerable groups, youth, PWDs, CWDs, poor women and men

Moderator:  what challenges has RWECO faced in implementing these projects:

•       The transition from 21 sub counties to 80 sub counties also meant more resources needed and building networks in the new sub counties.

•       Sustaining the increasing demand for the RWECO services from both the LGs and the community

•       Dependency on donor funding which is shifting due to the economic crisis in the west;

•       Political dispensation which has not favored the NGO operation

•       Meeting the expectations of the community visa-sa-visa-viz the resources at hand

•       Governance issues are a concern of everyone thus need thorough understanding and sharing of information between the different players- for which different players have used this to overstretch their interventions

Moderator: what are the main achievements of RWECO since inception:

Response:

•       RWECO has facilitated formation of 3 DIPF in Kasese, Bundibugyo now in Kyegegwa

•       Strengthened the grassroots structures- Community process facilitators, Ekyaghanda Ekyabataka ( Community social forums)

•       Good working relations with the LG leaders in the Rwenzori region and beyond- RWECO invited to the district Naads annual evaluation in Kamwenge and Kasese districts. While in Kamwenge, the farmers reported that about 70% of the Naads funds were administrative costs while only 30% reaches the target group, in Kasese district where the Hon. Dr. Crispus Kiyonga attended the Naads meeting also concurred with the farmers that less was reaching the beneficiaries.

•       Pioneered the E-Society concept with the local governments- Piloting in Kasese district and now being replicated in 25 more districts;

•       Successfully pioneered the citizens driven election observation in  the 2010/2011 Presidential, Parliamentary and LG elections

•       Pioneered the application of ICT based tools in election observation in Uganda after learning from Uchaguzi a Kenyan platform

•       Designed programs that bring out grassroots peoples needs and voice them out to the leaders

•       Promoted dialogue and co-existence  between  the different political groups in the region

•       Mobilised 4 local organisation to form into a consortium in the Rwenzori Region;

•       Mobilised LG staff in 7 districts and 80 sub counties who participate and appreciate the mode of operation of RWECO members

•       Attracted donor funded for the last 4 years

•       Mobilised the community to demand for accountability from Civic leaders-LG and government departments

Time check, 1:59Pm and the Moderator was informed it was time out. Wow, being the first time on camera needed preparation which the moderator did with the camera man. What did RWECO learn from that TV show. RWECO has broken the jinx of paying money to the media instead the national media invited RWECO to pass information to the country. That action has built confidence in what RWECO does in the country. Mind you, UBC TV is under the Presidents Office for which RWECO has established rapport. Mr. Howard Tumwine, the UBC sales Representative in Western Uganda, based in Bundibugyo has pledged to RWECO that come December 2012, he will again invite us to present to the country what we have done during the course of the year. At RWECO we espouse the Public Private Partnership but maintain our independence as we work with Government Departments.

Watch RWECO on  this space for more information:

http://rwecovoice.blogspot.com/

Jimmy B O
RWECO