Bundibugyo LCV chief lauds RWECO

   

 “RWECO is one of our strong partners who have been key players in coming out with ordinances on production and natural resources”, Vice chairperson  LCIV  , Hon. Godfrey M. Baluku noted   during the monitoring  visit meeting on 29/01/2013.  He acknowledged that he actively participated in mobilization and implementation of round table meetings, feedback meetings and joint monitoring while discussing with the program officer from CEWIT.   Key to note was his comment that most calls on radio stations demanding for improved service delivery are from RWECO operational sub counties. He noted improved cooperation between the leaders and the community members   has also improved because of the avenues for dialogue. He insisted that RWECO should count that as an achievement of the production. He acknowledged the role of RWECO in helping the communities to demand for their rights and improved service delivery from the local governments. He commended RWECO for its commitment especially in sharing field reports which has enabled an effective evaluation for the strength and weaknesses in service delivery in local government.   No wonder he could still remember the process of the joint monitoring exercise, feedback meeting which he personally participated in this project. 

 The visit to WEBNET a supported CBO  that was another interesting experience for the monitoring visit as  we found that one neighborhoods assembly launched by RWECO in 2010 had been replicated into  50 other  neighborhood assemblies and are monitored  by one CBO. Through it was an interesting experience to see that the neighborhood assembly has rapidly spread, I was quick to remain Amanya John the coordinator of WEBNET to ensure quality control as the number was overwhelming to be managed by one CBO and promised to support him during the project period.

 At Nyahuka town council we received a warm welcome from the subcounty chairperson LCIII who shared with us his experience on how neighborhood assemblies raise issues from the community through the counselor and they are discussed in the subcounty council meetings.  In the focus groups discussions with the monitors we were able to establish that the challenge of poor sanitation and hygiene at Nyahuka Health centre has been addressed because of their intervention and they are also taking lead in advocating for the district to provide electricity at Nyahuka the health centre.  Nyahuka PWD drama group was also proud to report that they get issues from the neighborhoods assembly and use them to compose songs and plays for community sensitization. This to them has proved to be an effective strategy for advocating for improved service delivery.

As we headed to Sindira subcounty, driving through  river Ndugutu was a unique experience but our driver kept on the wheels till we reached our destination .  When we reported to the subcounty headquarters, the LCIII Chairperson described RWECO as an organization that reminds them of what they are supposed to do, he further exclaimed that RWECO helped the leaders to identify patent issues that were affecting their community like poor health services delivery which was prompting mothers have deliveries with traditional birth attendants instead of going to health centre. This was due to under staffing but by the time of the visit staffing at the health centre has increased from 6 staff last year to 13 staff to respond to the increased demand for the service.  He could not resist saying that routine sensitization of the community members led to change of attitude towards a male midwife whom the women had refused to go to help them deliver hence reduced number of deliveries at the traditional birth attendants.  The community members that were mobilized by RWECO to clean the water tank had made it routine activity so as to have clean and safe water. No wonder the subcounty had repaired 7 tap stands that were found not functional during the previous joint monitoring exercise.

In my view the monitoring visit to Bundibugyo was timely as we were able to assess the intermediate results as well as Gaps to guide this year’s field implementation. It was good to realize that the leaders are personate about the social accountability project. I hope with the high morale RWECO will realize its intended results and change people’s lives.

The monitoring Team was composed of  Ms. Sheila K, Celestin M, Margret K and Abdul M  who at the end of the monitoring exercise made a feedback session at RWECO CU to share and harmonize the monitoring findings

Reported by
 

Sheila K
RWECO