Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Do teachers really Matter in Uganda?



5th October is a special day dedicated to teachers for their contribution to the society. With a motto because we are the nation is it was  interesting teacher enthusiasm  walking to Kagote  Adventist Hall in a hall that shinning with orange and black, Kabarole district  in the mood of  making the world appreciate their contribution as well as share their challenges. No wonder the pupils of Mugusu Primary school in their song they emphasized that teachers matter and they are a source of knowledge.  It was also not surprising for the Kabarole district to acknowledge the contribution of teachers from class room to the community level despite the challenges that they face like high enrollment, lack of classrooms yet they have continued to work very hard. It’s not surprising that function was among others attended by Member of Parliament Burashya county Kabarole, the LC5 Chairperson Kabarole, the inspector of schools, religious leaders, pupils, community member, UNATU members and Teachers.  Though the number was overwhelmingly   of about 600 people at least every one was served with refreshment and a meal.  Thanks to the facilitation by UNATU Kabarole and CFSU

The celebrations was a platform for teachers to air out their major challenges like some teachers who were removed from the pay roll in the process of cleaning the pay rolls as well as non confirmation of teachers where the district chairperson responded that that 99% of the teachers removed from the pay roll were put back and promised that by the end of October all teachers will be on pay roll but can only claim their arrears. It was also interesting to for the chairperson to share that the district spent the month of December on mass confirmation of teachers.
Nevertheless Ayibo Bernard, the regional coordinator Uganda National teachers union emphasized that that despite the challenges teachers are facing they are still committed to the mission of  promoting and protecting the social, intellectual and profession interests of teachers and deliver quality education  through four core strategic areas of improving a strong and credible teachers union, improving teacher professionalism, social economic status and Morale, improving quality of public education and learners and teachers social economic Development.  With the core strategic directions who can say that teachers do not really matter, this was well explained in their motto” because we are, the nation is, the nation is, because we are”. One wonders why do they remain the list paid profession, why pay science teachers more salary that ARTS teachers yet they go through the same class. Does this mean that the ARTS teachers do not matter!  Then why do we have them if they do not matter.
 I was shocked that a class teacher was advocating to be paid 540,000 yet the doctors increased to 2,500,000 yet it it’s the teachers who make the Doctors.  The question remains  whether the government of Uganda will honor their request because teachers make a nation because this pay involves daily transport otherwise they will reach the schools late or tired or both, lunch, accommodation because the schools have no staff houses and medical fees for the family which is not provided for in most schools. I am sure if 540,000 will be enough to meet the daily demand compared to the cost of items these days.
It was on this same function that computer for schools a partner of RWECO in a project of Improving literacy and proficiency levels in English Language by enhancing communication skills in primary school pupils in the Rwenzori Region was able to provide gifts for the best schools in  to 13 primary schools that had excelled in annual writing, drawing, and reading competition  The best schools were named as Haibale Primary school, St. Jude Primary school, Kigarama primary school, Rwimi primary school, Mugusu and Karamba Primary school. The teachers were able to showcase to the teachers, community members, local leaders and parents their writing, drawing, speaking and listening skills and other competences.  Three staff from RWECO participated  in the function.


Sheila K
RWECO




Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo Districts sign MOUs for E-society Resource Centres and Technology for Social Accountability

RIC-NET signed Memorandums of understandings this morning with  Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo  Local Government leaders.
This comes after several round table meetings and presentations to the Technical Planning Committees (TPC) of the benefits the Districts are planned to gain by embracing the e-society and online platforms. The  e-society resource centre and online platforms are  to supporting the“Enhancing Civic Competence for social accountability” project that is being piloted in 25 Districts in the five regions of Uganda under the Citizens Election Watch-IT (CEW-IT) consortium.This EU/HIVOS funded project implemented is implimented by RWECO members (RIC-NET, Ride Africa, KALI, GHRD) in Rwenzori region and the ICT key partner RIC-NET was mandated to implement the e-society components. RIC-NET agreed to the design and develop District websites and E-libraries; provide five computers, Photocopier and Fly box for internet connectivity to each District. This equipment will form the e-society resource centre that will enable easy information sharing and access to the entire community.
In Kyegegwa, the MOU was signed by  the District Chief Administration Officer, the District Chair Person Hon. B  Norman and witnessed by Mr.Kuteesa the District planner .  RIC-NET Executive Director  M John Silco and ICT Officer Mr. Yosia Baluku represented RWECO/RIC-NET.

C.A.O Kyegegwa and RIC-NET ED append signatures on the MOU
 In his remarks the ED RIC-NET informed the Districts leaders that ICT equipments will be delivered early next year 2013 and so they need to be citing a free room that could accommodate the e-society resource room. The main component for this year is to have the Districts websites and e-libraries up and running before December 2012

In his remarks the LC5 chairperson Kyegegwa District Hon.Birungi Norman thanked RIC-NET for all efforts to see that ICT is being spearheaded in local governments. He also requested that the lower local governments be included on the District website.
 The CAO of the same District was so grateful for the support from CSOs towards ICT development in the District.
In Kyenjojo,  the MOU was signed by Mr. Martin Jacan Gwokto the Deputy CAO and witnessed by Mr.Kamara the District Information Officer. Mr. Martin was so grateful about the initiative and promised the District committment to impilmentation of the e-society platform  for better information sharing and service delivery tracking.
Deputy CAO and DIO Kyenjojo & ED RIC-NET signing the MOU
RIC-NET promised the present the District website designs for approval next week in order  the Districts officals harmonize their requirements and acceptance thereafter be uploaded and run online.
Kyegegwa will be hosted at www.kyegegwa.go.ug while Kyenjojo will be hosted at www.kyenjojo.go.ug. The electronic library will be a component on the websites that will allow districts to upload public documents that can be accessed by anybody anywhere in the universe.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Training of District leaders in Website and E-library utilization successful

Enhance civic competence and strengthen social accountability through information sharing.  

RIC-NET mandated by RWECO  to design online platforms (websites and E-libraries) for Districts and also train District leaders in the utilization of these platforms conducted a two days training for District Civil servants.

The training which attracted District Information officers, District planners and Chief Administrative officers from all the Seven Districts in Rwenzori region was conducted at St. Josephs’ Virika conference hall from 17th -18th October 2012.
In his welcoming remarks, the Executive Director  RIC-NET thanked the leaders for having honored the invitation and realized the importance of participating in Person. 
He also told them to embrace these ICT Web 2.0 tools and show more commitment to using ICT. He informed them of possible support from UCC and NITA-Uganda as far as ICT is concerned. He challenged District leaders to show concern and contact UCC for this support.

In his first session the ICTO RIC-NET introduced and explained the project objectives to the participants and told them what RIC-NET is mandated to do and provide to the Districts which among others included trainings, ICT equipment and the online platforms.

He further led the participants in an introduction to web browsing and explained a number of terms that users have always miss interpreted and used interchangeably. This attracted attention from members and they also participated in asking a number of questions that led more understanding of the terms and ICT. 
Social and communication media such as  skype was introduced. Skpye was seen as one of the easiest and quick means of communication and information sharing. Most of the participants signed up and saw how it worked and got excited about this new tool to them. They appreciated and pledged to use this tool even when in their offices.
In the second session the ED RIC-NET introduced staff to using blogs for sharing information. He took the participants through blogging where most of the members signed up and created personal blogs. 
his was necessary because the current technology of websites the District will use is based on the Content Management Systems which is  almost the same method for updating blogs.
The session was so interesting and day one was concluded by a skype conference that everyone enjoyed and realized that there was no need to move from office to office to conduct small discussions and share files but rather to use this technology to save time.

Day two: after recap of day one, the ICTO started the first session by introducing the participants to content management systems (CMS) a dynamic technology that is being used to develop their websites. 
He explained to them that the most CMS applications are joomla and word press that do not need a lot of ICT knowledge to members if they are to basically update the sites with data. He gave more details about joomla and permissions that can be granted to users at different levels including managers, Authors, editors among others and what each of those categories are supposed to do. He further logged in to one of the sites to demonstrate how the district leaders will be logging in to their sites and update them. 

We are impressed by this training and we would like that you give us the passwords and we do a hands on updating with you” said District planner Kyegegwa. 
Later in the afternoon the ICTO introduced the District leaders to the concept of the E-library where he said it would be part of their websites where the District would upload all public documents like District Development Plan, District budgets among others. He also demonstrated and showing them a sample Electronic library and how they will be uploading files which he emphasized must be converted to pdf formats before being uploaded. He also informed the participants that RIC-NET procured a hosting server and therefore has started web hosting. 
He later finalized with showcasing the first stage designs of the Districts website as the RIC-NET server;
http://kamwenge.rwenzoriweb.com                                                                
He said that kabarole and kasese were already online but being redesigned using the modern technologies and bundibugyo was also already online hosted at www.bundibugyo.go.ug and that the training was an entry point to Ntoroko.

In his concluding remarks the ICTO thanked the members for participation and emphasized that they should embrace ICT since it’s the way to go in this rapidly growing world and that this would even ease their work since they would have enough references for information access.

And so we deserved it

RWECO staff on 16th October 2012 received training in the application of the (ICT) and PRMT monitoring tools. The training that was conducted at Verina gardens in kasese attracted all RWECO member organizations KALI, GHFRD, Ride Africa, RWECO CU and RIC-NET as the lead training organization.

Among the key items trained in were the use of online platforms like blogging among others and the use of smart phones in social accountability monitoring.
In his presentation the ED RIC-NET emphasized on the use of these platforms and took members through them. He also put more emphasis on the way partners capture photos and said one needs to compose what exactly he needs before shooting a photo.
Emma Oluka also trained in the use of smart phones and the application of the social accountability tool “my panel”. It is an application based on market research.

He showed members how they would use it when carrying out survey. The tool focuses on health, Education and water. It has a number of questions that the surveyor has to fill in and then submit to the system (huduma)
Members were also trained on how they would connect to any wireless networks on their smart phones, configuring those capturing good photos with those phones among others.
Among other things trained were installation of a number of applications on the android smart phones like skype, bible, my panel and many more others depending on what you want to use them for.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Kasese Residents Donates a Goat to Belgium Technical Corporation (BTC).

By: Kasese online news team
E-Society Resource Centre
Foundation stone of the staff  quarters
The LCV Chairperson on friday 12/10/2012 commissioned one newly contructed staff house at Kanyatsi Primary School, Kanyatsi Health Center and a gravity flow water system all in Kitholhu Sub-County. there were constructed with the help of Belgium Technical Corporation (BTC).
 
 
 The gravity water system has been constructed to supply water to the communities in Kitholhu Sub-county.

The residents showed great appreciation to the government towards the new development. Where they donated goats to the BTC technical person Mr. Steven, the LCV and the CAO Kasese.
Gifts being offered to the officials Photo by: Samuel Mumbere
The LCV Chairperson encouraged the to love and work more with government.
The chairman delivers his speech Photo by: Samuel Mumbere
The Chairman then handed over materials that were donated to best students who had trained in vocational studies so that they could go and start up their own businesses to boost their income.
LCV Chairman hands over the equipment to the graduands Photo by: Samuel Mumbere
The commissioned staff quarters Photo by: Samuel Mumbere

Sunday, October 14, 2012

850 schools connected to the internet

Accessed from: http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21511:850-schools-connected-to-the-internet&catid=85:education&Itemid=106

Friday, October 12, 2012

RWECO Participates in Uganda at 50 Celebrations


A special week of activities for Kasese District to mark Uganda’s golden jubilee Independence celebrations was on Wednesday launched  by Kasese District Development Network (KADDENET) on behalf of civil society. (KADDENET) has organized a number of activities to be carried out during the week among which is Education symposium, the cleaning activity and Independence dinner.

The symposium was sponsored by RWECO. it was marked by the matching exercise in which primary pupils from four primary schools participated. The symposium was then held at Virina gardens Hotel with a number of papers presented concerning education of Kasese in the past, present and the future.
pupils on match around kasese town
An education analysis paper presented by the senior District Education Officer Constantine Baluku was adopted by the stakeholders after it highlight the sector’s problems that include poor facilities, low academic performances, understaffing among others.
The representative of the Kasese district chairman, the secretary for production and marketing John Businge who was also the cheif guest said there is need for consorted efforts of leaders at all a level to improve the education standards.

 



Businge said the District Local Government has tried its best in building staff quarters for schools in the hard to reach areas, and pit latrines every financial.
He called upon stakeholders like the Rwenzururu Kingdom to sensitize the people on food security because hungry children will never study well.

Participants recommended that the ministry of education should change the curriculum from theoretical but rather be more of practical in order to enhance children’s’ skills at a lower stage.
A blind student from Saad s.s demonstrating his skill during the symposium
They also asked the district leadership to mobilize for financial and material support from local investors to the special needs schools to improve on their facilities to suit the needs of the children.
Other activities for the independence week included town cleaning and neighborhood assemblies in the municipality today, independence dinar on October 8th and also jubilee celebrations at Nyakasanga playground on Independence Day. 
Disabled pupils from Rukooki modle school demonstrating their skills

Hivos visit to RWECO

Nyambura sharing amoment with children at Rukoki Model P. School
Pictorials of Ms. Nyambura's visit to RWECO on Wednesday 11, Oct, 2012, Kasese Municipality.
Ms. Nyambura watching Andrew operating a sawing machine
 Like  many mothers admiring and guiding their children, Ms. Nyambura chatting with the school children at Rukoki Model Primary School, where RWECO has facilitated the school debating club involving children with disabilities


At Rukiko Model Primary School, the RWECO team visited the resource room and witnessed how Andrew Bwambale, a physically hand capped child, proving how disability is not inability. Andrew and other children were in class.
staff at RWECO office, sharing their experiences









Thursday, October 11, 2012

International Day of the Girl Child, UNICEF statement

 Publish Date: Oct 11, 2012
newvision


NEW YORK, 11 October 2012 – On the first International Day of the Girl Child, UNICEF and partners are highlighting joint efforts to end child marriage – a fundamental human rights violation that impacts all aspects of a girl’s life.

“The International Day of the Girl Child readily reflects the need to put girls’ rights at the centre of development,” said Anju Malhotra with the Gender and Rights Section in UNICEF, “The UN and partners are coming together to show the incredible progress made and to highlight the ongoing challenges.”

Under the headline ‘My Life, My Right, End Child Marriage’, a series of events and actions are taking place throughout the world to draw attention to this critically important issue. At UN Headquarters in New York, Archbishop Desmond Tutu will join UNICEF, UNFPA and UN Women to discuss ways governments, civil society, UN agencies and the private sector can come together to accelerate a decline in the practice of child marriage. In Malawi, a parliamentary debate will put the issue at centre stage and in Uganda SMS technology is being used by young people to openly discuss the practice.

In partnership with governments, civil society and UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, UNICEF is laying the groundwork to end child marriage globally. In 2011, 34 country offices reported efforts to address child marriage through social and economic change efforts and legal reform.

In India, one of the countries in the world with the largest number of girls being married before their 18th birthday, child marriage has declined nationally and in nearly all states from 54 per cent in 1992-1993 to 43 per cent in 2007-2008, but the pace of change is slow.

UNICEF supported the passage of the Child Marriage Prohibition Act of 2006, and has since supported the development and implementation of a national strategy on child marriage that aims to coordinate programmes and policies to address both the causes and the consequences of child marriage. Working with individual states, UNICEF took part in developing state action plans and supported the establishment of girls clubs and collectives that were trained on child rights and how to work with the community to stimulate a dialogue about ending child marriage.

Experiences in contexts as diverse as Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Ethiopia, India, Niger, Senegal and Somalia show how combining legal measures with support to communities, providing viable alternatives – especially schooling – and enabling communities to discuss and reach the explicit, collective decision to end child marriage yield positive results.

“Child marriage can often result in ending a girl’s education. In communities where the practice is prevalent, marrying a girl as a child is part of a cluster of social norms and attitudes that reflect the low value accorded to the human rights of girls,” said Ms. Malhotra.

Education is one of the most effective strategies to protect children against marriage. When girls are able to stay in school an attitudinal change can also occur towards their opportunities within the community.

The proportion of child brides has decreased over the last 30 years but child marriage persists at high rates in several regions of the world, particularly in rural areas and among the poorest. Some child brides are the most marginalized and vulnerable of society. Young brides are often isolated – removed from immediate families, taken out of school and denied interaction with their peers and communities.

Most recent UNICEF estimates indicate that about 70 million – or around 1 in 3 – young women aged 20-24 were married before the age of 18, with 23 million of them having been married before they turned 15. Global¬ly, almost 400 million women aged 20-49, or over 40 per cent, were married while they were children.

Child marriage puts girls at risk of early and unwanted pregnancies, posing life-threatening consequences. Maternal deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth are an important component of mortality for girls aged 15-19 worldwide, accounting for some 50,000 deaths each year. Moreover, girls between 10 and 14 years of age are five times more likely than women aged 20 to 24 die in pregnancy and childbirth.

“Through global commitments, civil society movements, legislation and individual initiatives girls will flourish in a safe and productive environment,” said Malhotra. ”We must accelerate progress and dedicate resources for girls to claim their rights and realize their full potential.”








Accessed from:http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636292-international-day-of-the-girl-child-unicef-statement.html on 11, October, 2012

 

Bundibugyo health workers ‘charge fees’

 By GEOFFREY MUTEGEKI ARAALI

Posted  Thursday, October 11  2012 at  01:00

 Health officials in Bundibugyo District charge fees and solicit bribes from patients to offer services, a new report has revealed.
The report by the Rwenzori Anti-Corruption Coalition (RAC), a non-governmental organisation operating in the Rwenzori Sub-region, indicates that health workers at Bundibugyo Hospital allegedly ask mothers to pay for services, including delivery of babies.
Mr Meshach Byomuntura, the programmes officer of RAC, said for delivery of a baby boy, mothers pay Shs25,000 and Shs30,000 for baby girls.
However, the report does not explain why the charge varies according to sex.
“The services are supposed to be free but these people are charging for them. This discourages our mothers from delivering in hospitals and instead go to traditional birth attendants,” Mr Byomuntura said.
He added that even other services like surgery and radiography were being paid for, a thing he described as a “corruption tendency”.
“Surgical services are charged at Shs200,000 and as a result two patients, one from Kikyo and another from Kisugu, have died after they couldn’t raise the money,” Mr Byomuntura said.
The district chairperson, Mr Jolly Tibemenya, confirmed having met one of the victims of the alleged extortions but she reportedly feared to name the culprits.
“I asked her to tell me the culprits but she declined, saying she will use the same health facility and could be mistreated,” Mr Tibemanya said.
He added: “I couldn’t take further steps because I had nowhere to start from, but we are investigating the allegations.”
Another report
A recent research report by Development Alternative firm in Kamwenge, Kaberamaido and Amuria districts, found out that many reproductive health services, which are supposed to be free of charge, are paid for.
“In Soroti when you deliver a baby boy, you pay Shs20,000 and a girl Shs15,000. People now take chicken to health facilities to raise the fee. Our people are ignorant that’s why they pay for the services,” said Ms Suzan Bagisha and official from the research firm.
The same report shows that most respondents do not know whom to report to in case they are charged the fee.
Ms Bagisha indicated that charging unofficial fees, payment for preferential treatment, and utilities like mama kits are rife in the health sector.
She attributed the loophole to weak health unit management committees.
editorial@ug.nationmedia.com


comments by Geoffrey Buga 4 hours ago

It is indeed true that patients already pay for most medical services, either to be seen, investigated, x-rayed, operated on or delivered. Almost invariably, they have to buy some if not all drug items. In many cases, the first people they come in contact with at these health units are the clerks who may be the ones who demand the payments before allowing the patients to get to see a clinical officer, nurse or doctor. The ordinary person does not distinguish between the various categories of people who work in health units. They lump them together as doctors or nurses. There are also instances of people masquarading as doctors or nusres who demand payments. I am not trying to defend healthcare workers who charge patients. I believe that, especially for doctors, since no one stops them from running their own part-time practices after hours, they really have no reason to charge patients in the hospitals for consultation or surgery. I also believe that resumption of cost sharing can improve service delivery because hospitals will be able to buy essential cleaning materials, gloves, and other simple items, instead of waiting for funds from the centre, and allowances can be paid to all categories of staff from the collected funds. Nominal fees won't break the back of patients who already pay much more for these services.

 
 
Comments by: Kalani Jonathan 18 hours ago

Actually, government should reinstate cost sharing in hospitals because people have always cost shared. This will make many items like drugs and other utilities available. We should fund our health in a way. After all, even if the shs. 260 bn were available, it would end in some people's stomachs.


Accessed from:http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bundibugyo+health+workers++charge+fees+/-/688334/1530504/-/14o6hu1/-/index.html   on 11 October, 2012

Friday, October 5, 2012

Launching the CSO Uganda @ 50 Golden Jubilee in Kasese District.


Hon. John Businge, Sec. Production LCV, Kasese

Kasese Municipality was decorated with the Civil Society colors of joy and jubilation as  school children, and Civil Society activists marched the streets to launch the CSO Uganda @ 50 Golden Jubilee celebrations with an Education Symposium that was attended by among other senior educationists in Kasese district. School children especially from Kasese primary school, Aisha  Moslem Preparatory were joined by the business community in Kasese, CSO and boda-boda chanting and jubilating. The band match guided by the traffic police was flagged off  at Virina Gardens Hotel in Kasese Municipality at which the school children were addressed by the Chief Guest, Hon. John Businge the Secretary Production who represented the District Chairperson Lt.Col. Mawa Dura Muhindo.  With all their voices high, the children sang the National Anthem, Kingdom Anthem and the School Anthem with a message of matching a long the path of Education. The Chief Guest picked his message to the children from their own school anthem and encouraged them to study and join the rest of the Ugandans when we celebrate the Centenary (Uganda @ 100years) if they a void HIV/AIDS, study hard and respect their parents.

Who was who @ the Symposium:

The Senior District Education Officer, Kasese, Mr. Constantine Baluku, made a 15 page presentation on the theme: PAST AND THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN KASESE DISTRICT. The paper detailed the history of education in Kasese, informal and formal education, school enrollment and teacher pupil ratio, class room construction and academic performance. Mr. Costa, reiterated the dwindling academic performance in primary schools    even when government was doing its best to support the education sector “ as a district, we have allocated Ugx 20bn in the 2012/2013 budget 50% of the total budget, come shine come rain , I will support UPE and USE” in his conclusion, Mr. Costa posed these questions to the house: How good is our schools?, do you like them? Where is the problem?, who is responsible for the poor performance? What type of Schools do we need?, which things can we do to improve the quality of our school and make then better and How well do you support your child/children?
The above questions prompted a heated debate that was moderated by one of the celebrated upcoming journalists in Kasese, Mr. Kahungu Misairi who ensured that the discussions do not point fingers but rather cause change and development in the education sector in Kasese district. Seventy participants from all corners of Kasese had come to grace the occasion with women, children with disabilities from Saad Memorial SS and Rukoki Model being the focus. One of the participants asked why some school in Kasese Municipality had 95% female teachers while schools in the mountains lacked female teachers to guide the female pupils. In response the Mr. Costa, said, that the HIV/AIDS policy states that couples should be placed near each other to avoid “ out side feeding” but that was challenged by the participants that the placement of teachers was marred with corruption and that senior civil servants working in the district determined where their spouses were placed.
Ms. Kulthum Moshi, DIS, Kasese, responding making a contribution at the education symposium
On their part the children who presented their skills to show that disability was not inability opened another chapter in the advocacy strategies of RWECO and other CSOs that were present. One Tadeo Masereka (S.1) from SAAD Memorial SS, read the some verses from the bible and recited a poem calling upon stakeholders to support them as they face many challenges. While the damp pupils from Rukoki Model presented a report in Sign language that was interpreted by Ms. Kaheeru Rosebella a special needs specialists teaching at Rukoki Model. Another pupil Andrew Bwambale (P.4), show cased his skills of tailoring though having physical disability with the arms. It was a good demonstration from the pupils and RWECO and the District leadership recommended training of teachers in special needs education as one of the activities the Education department should prioritize. The district Inspector Special Needs Ms. Kulthum Moshi, presented the challenges faced in the department as Braille reading machines that cost Ugx. 2,000,000/, Braille papers a set at Ugx. 5,000,000/ salary for the teacher at SAAD SS, and poverty of the parents.
The district information officer Mr. John Thawithe, expressed concern over the need to have the recommendations and the presentation of Mr. Costa bound and popularized after the house adopted the Education paper as a working document. The Chief guest was asked to lobby for space in council for the CSOs to present the paper for further internalization by the executive. The house also agreed to organise a panel discussion that will be live on radio and with high profile educationists invited and the district leadership.
That was the 3rd of Oct, 2012 where RWECO and its members gave a plat form for the different stakeholders to share the education sector achievements and challenges and forge a way forward. The chairperson RWECO Rev. Isaiah Mucunguzi and the Vice chairperson Good Hope Foundation for Rural Development attended the function and pledged to support RWECO in the fundraising drive to raise the voices of the children living with disabilities. On their part, Kasese District Development Net Works (KADDE-NET) that mobilised for the event, pledged its continued support to CSO work in the district and to become one of the champions of promotion of good governance.

Jimmy B.O, Coordinator RWECO presenting the CSO report at the Symposium
RWECO Coordinator challenged the participants to provide for the children if they must have a better future and questioned the continued food insecurity despite Kasese district having one of the biggest irrigation schemes in East Africa. the people of Kasese are poor because we eat imported food from Kabarole, Bushenyi and DR Congo, Mr. Chairperson, all the income earned is spent on food outside the district, thus that explains why your voters can not afford to pay for their children in school. how many lorries  from Kilembe, Maliba, Karusandara come loaded with Matooke to our markets? We only see lorries from Tooro in Mawa market

For God and My Country

Jimmy B.Odyek
Poverty and Policy Analyst