Background:
RIDE Africa and the vulnerable
groups in Kyenjojo district organized a joint annual campaign event as a follow
up of the consultative meetings and trainings held in Kyenjojo district. The
Vulnerable group included the PWDs, PLWHA, Elderly, Youth and Women Council. The
vulnerable groups in Kyenjojo proposed to present a petition to the Kyenjojo
district council and thus tasked RIDE AFRICA to make follow up and inform them
about the progress. A notice of Council meeting was sent and the team prepared
the petition in a consultative way. RIDE Africa is a member of RWECO
implementing a project on Social accountability supported by EU/Hivos through
CEWIT.
The objective of the annual
joint campaigns were:
The Key outputs
- Secured space in the district council meeting on 3rd May, 2013 at which representatives of vulnerable groups attended council for some it was their first time;
- Issue identified in the petition adopted in the Kyenjojo district council meeting and referred to the sectoral committee of Social services;
- Leaders responding and giving feedback immediately and taking action on concerns by the petitioners
Day 1
A pre- meeting was held on 2nd,
May, 2013 in the Speakers chambers with the district team that comprised of;
Speaker Mr. Kasoro Silver, Vice District Chairperson Mr. Mwesige Christopher;
Secretary for Community based services Mrs Mubiru Christine, the Chairperson
for Community Based service Mrs Nahabwe Anita and RIDE Africa Staff.
The following resolutions
were reached;
1.
The team appreciated RIDE Africa’s initiative
and research findings
2.
The document be presented to the council for discussion and approval
3.
The funds for lunch be given to councilors
directly and they sign for acknowledgment
DAY
2
 |
| Hon. Ireeta Mwesige Kyenjojo District Speaker during the Council session where Ride Africa presented a petition by the vulnerable groups |
RIDE Africa and RWECO staff together with the advocacy team for Kyenjojo District attended the Kyenjojo District Council on 3rd May 2013 whereby the district Speaker Mr. Mwesige Ireeta invited RIDE Africa to present their petition that was read by Margaret Kabasinguzi (RIDE Africa.
 |
| Mrs. Margaret K M, presenting the vulnerable groups petition to Kyenjojo district council |
1.
The high HIV and AIDS prevalence rates in the
Rwenzori region
2.
The availability of safe and clean drinking
water in both the town council and villages within the District
3.
The Special Needs Assessment in the District
4.
The reception and rehabilitation center for
the children who conflict with the law
Deliberations
The Chairperson Hon Mwesige Christopher asked the District Education Officer and the Town Clerk Kyenjojo Town Council to update Council on the stand of Special Needs Assessment in the District and availability of Safe and clean Water in the Kyenjojo Town Council respectively.
The DEO Ms Tibakanya Gertrude
updated Council that the inspector of Special Needs Education was recruited Ms
Kabanyoro who does the assessment and placement in the same section. But
however, said that; the department did not have any center for handling such
cases. She also mentioned that the department had just concluded with the head
count of children with special needs in the District and that they have not yet
decided on where the attachment can be done.
On the same note, Hon
Kalyegira Joseph the Secretary for Education and Health emphasized that Special
needs in Education was still a challenge for Kyenjojo District as the
previously constructed center at
Kinyinya was taken by Kyegegwa district. He also said that Kyenjojo Town
council was facing a terrible situation of scarcity of safe and clean water
which problem had been gotten a solution for.
Accordingly, Hon Kabasomi
Resty added that, hearing impairment was very common in the District and there
are no accessories available in the provision of public service especially in
the health sector.
 |
| Hon. Resty reacting to the petition and supporting the issues raised |
Hon Mubiru Christine the
Secretary for Community based services requested Councilors and technical teams
to identify potential partners in development develop concept papers and
increase on the lobbying capacities from the central government that would help
them implement and serve the local communities of Kyenjojo District better.
After the deliberations of
the five Councilors a motion was moved by Hon Karamagi Ronald to adopt the
document as a working paper and was seconded by the District Chairperson who
added that the petition be referred to Council Committee for Community Based
Services to follow.
 |
| Ms Tibakanya Gertrude, giving feedback to the council about the about the SNE unit in Kyenjojo |
The Speaker ruled that the
paper be adopted as working paper that would be integrated into the District
Development Plan and the budget 2013/2014.
Lessons for RIDE
AFRICA/RWECO
- We worked together as a team and were able to achieve that much within the means available to us
- The Petition has opened a new chapter in Kyenjojo district Council recognizing RIDE AFRICA /RWECO as strategic partners in establishing gaps where the district may not have reached;
- The vulnerable groups have formed a plat form for advocacy which was recognized during the council meeting;
- Team work/spirit vital for collective achievement with the Policy Family and Child Protection giving technical support, the elderly and PWDs group, women council showed that we need to move as a team
- The need to link the activities with the application of ICT Tools for which the district leadership has embraced
We intend to work with the
Kyenjojo district leadership to bridge on the gaps identified in the petition
and reach out to development partners to support the SNE unit and training of
the Health Department workers in handling PWDs both visual and hearing
impairment, elderly
Compiled by
Mrs. Mageret Kabusinguzi
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