Parents’ initiative supported by Area MP. Hon C. Kiyonga, MP Bukonzo County West, Kasese district by giving Iron sheets

Kasese District Local Government allocated part of its funds from Belgian Development Agency (BTC-Uganda) under the Institutional Capacity Building Project to support Sub Counties in hard to reach and live primary schools with Low Cost Staff Quarters.

Despite the efforts of Kasese District Education and Sports Department to improve the welfare of the teachers in hard to reach and live primary schools, the contractors of some schools like Nyamughona (Contractor-Yanghis), Kamatsuku and Kibirigha (Contractor-BWASI) primary schools have frustrated and breached the M o U between Kasese District Local Government and the Belgian Technical Agency (BTC-Uganda) the Potential Funders of Low Cost Staff Quarters for teachers in Kasese district.

In a letter dated 20^th March, 2012 from the DEO’s office to the Chairperson School Management Committees of these Schools, the Ag. District Education Officer, Mr. George S.Mainja noted with dismay how the contractors have breached the M o U and not meeting the specifications in the Terms of Reference (ToR).

On 10^th August, 2012 Muhesi Nicholas Programme Officer- for Social Accountability and a CPF- Mr. Julius Mugabi supported by Hivos visited Nyamughona Primary school.

In an exclusive interview with the Head teacher Mr. Baseja Josephant (0783359549), classroom teacher Mr. Eriab Thembo and Mzee Njumba Kesi Bwambale PTA representative and concerned parents of Nyamughona Primary School in Picture above revealed that they are not satisfied with the works on the building as it was shoddy and remained incomplete. The building has developed major cracks and murram from the wall is being washed by rain.  what the contractors do to frustrate the UPE Programme in hard to reach schools.

The purpose of low cost staff Quarter houses was to reduce the late coming and absenteeism of teachers who walk long distances to catch up with the morning lessons and remedial so as to improve the academic standards and performance in these strong hold UPE Primary schools.

When we were at the scene, it was noted that the above uncompleted two bed room staff quarter was contracted in FY 2009/2010 and construction commenced in 2010 now down the road the building has been abandoned with no clear explanation from both the contractor, Sub County leadership and the Kasese District Local Government.

The building is now a white elephant inhabited by the Cattle as they welcomed us in the compound. This portrays a bad image to the BTC and the Kasese District Local Government as it is a wastage of Tax payers money.

The parents, School Management Committees, PTAs and the general community are concerned about the fate of their children how they will  begin third term on 3^rd September, 2012 next term without teachers, latrine stances and classrooms.

The school has only one permanent building that doubles as an administration block, book store, common staff room and a P.7 classroom which was built by former regime of Yokasi Bihande as LC V Chairperson.

To curb and support the retention rate in the school, parents have initiated a PTA/SMC development Project to supplement the only one permanent building. They are molding bricks. The parents have constructed a semi permanent mud and wattle four classrooms with support from Area Hon. MP. C. Kiyonga who donated about 30 Iron sheets during his campaigns in 2011 General Elections.

The lack of seriousness of the contractors in Nyamughona Primary School has negatively impacted on the school academic performance and retention rate. Most of the parents have shifted their pupils to other schools such as St. Joseph-Nyamughona, Kasanga, Kamatsuku and Muhindi primary school which is far from their homes.

The enrolment of teachers stands at 7 males and 01 female and 169 pupils with 84 males and 85 females.

It was revealed that because of inadequate infrastructure such as classrooms, latrine stances play ground for Physical Education and staff quarters both teachers and pupils have threatened to shift to different schools. For example Nyamughona Primary School used to be a P.7 UPE school but due to low retention rate the school is now a P.6 UPE school. Thus a

The school has no permanent latrine stances but has 2 make shift temporary latrine stances which are shared between teachers and pupils. ‘Imagine your sons and daughters in such a sore state of school.’

However, due the poor standards of living and parents attitude, the learners do have adequate scholastic materials though the progress of academic performance has been hindered. Other causes for poor standards of education have high dependency on subsistence farming/ poor farming methods, inability to afford lunch for the learners, Lack of role models in the area. Low literacy rates in the area as a result of low household incomes and superiority complex of men. (Mind set and attitude)

The rural water coverage is at 90%. A big area is water stressed and therefore fewer technologies can be used to provide safe water.

 I appeal to the Sub County leadership, Kasese District Local government-Education and Sports Department to approach UNICEF through SNV-Connecting People to support Nyamughona Primary School such that it benefits from the Hard Ware under the Community Empowerment Programme that gives Sanitation and Hygiene Facilities to Schools in hard to reach and live schools in Kasese district.

 KALI will continue monitoring government programme to reveal shoddy and poor workmanship in the Education Sector.

By Nicholas Muhesi
KALI

Ruhaama platform irks Ms Museveni

By PEREZ RUMANZI

Posted  Friday, August 17  2012 at  01:00

In Summary

Undermined?. Ms Museveni accuses district and sub-county councillors and LC3 chairpersons of undermining her authority as the area MP by demanding for service delivery through platforms.

The Ruhaama Constituency MP and First Lady, Ms Janet Museveni, has reportedly criticised leaders in the area for creating a forum to discuss development challenges without her knowledge.

In a closed door meeting with area leaders at Nyarutuntu, the headquarters for Ruhaama County on Monday, Ms Museveni reportedly accused area councillors, LC chairpersons and other leaders of undermining her authority as the area MP, by creating a forum to demand for service delivery behind her back.

Ms Museveni also demanded for the disbandment of the platform dubbed Eishazi rya Ruhaama, which the leaders contested.
“The First Lady has been misinformed by her close aides in Ntungamo that we have formed a platform to fight her, that we want to bring someone to stand against her in 2016 which is not the case,” Mr Denis Muhumuza, the Itojo Sub-county councillor and chief platform mobiliser, told Daily Monitor on Wednesday.
Mr Muhumuza further added that the purpose of the platform is to discuss development in the area and is not politically motivated.

The forum, which started at the end of last year, has convened several times and deliberated on issues like creation of Ruhaama District from Ntungamo and tarmacking of the Ntungamo-Mirama Hills road.

However, a source, who attended the closed door meeting, says Ms Museveni was reportedly irked by the demand to create Ruhaama District without first consulting her .

“If we are to bring out anything related to Ruhaama, I believe there is your member of parliament where these ideas can pass. Why then do you have to go out and form those so called organisations? We cannot allow this to continue,” Mr Muhumuza quoted Ms Museveni as saying.hare This Story

The Ruhaama Sub-county chairperson, Mr Tom Rwomushana, who was also in the meeting, said many of them were angered by Ms Museveni’s misconception of other people’s ideas.

“Does she feel she is the only person to plan for us? We too want to discuss our ideas. We have talked about this road for a long time. We can’t keep quiet as we are also being criticised by our people,” Mr Rwomushana said.

The Ntungamo District chairperson, Mr Denis Singahache, confirmed the meeting took place but declined to disclose the details.

Ms Museveni’s political assistant George Bakunda also acknowledged that the meeting was chaired by the First Lady who was not happy with the conduct of the area leaders.

“That group is serving its interests and not programmes of the MP. The MP is not happy with what they are doing. She said there should always be one leaders’ meeting which she should chair,” Mr Bakunda told Daily Monitor yesterday.

IHANDIRO SUB COUNTY GETS PERFORMANCE BONUS

Back ground

KALI has been working with Ihandiro Sub County on issues of Gender budgeting and governance, emphasizing planning and budgeting.

Ihandiro Sub County is found in Kasese district, Bukonzo west constituency. Being a mountainous area, its road network and communication is poor and therefore a hard to reach and hard to live area.

For many years, Ihandiro Sub County was one of the least performing sub counties in Kasese district in planning and budgeting for the community members. This was due to inadequate skills in planning and budgeting by the technical staff, committees and the elected leaders; planning process was basically desk work without involving the communities.

Through KALI monitoring findings, the above were revealed and interventions were designed in agreement with the sub county leadership, to improve the planning process.

KALI organized a meeting with the sub county leadership where action plans were drawn and a sub county gender budget advocacy group was established which helped in ensuring gender sensitive plans and budgets.

KALI then organized training workshops aimed at developing the capacities of the sub county leaders and technical staff in planning and budgeting processes which included their roles and responsibilities and thereafter, facilitated the planning meetings right from the village level to sub county level. This included supporting the budget conferences.

Because of the above interventions, I handiro sub county is now one of the best performing sub counties in the district. There has been a great improvement in the planning and budgeting processes and increased community participation at the grassroots level to the sub county level. This is portrayed by effective participation of councilors, the community and other stakeholders in the process especially the budget conferences to ensure their priorities are incorporated in the sub county development plan. This forms the basis for assessing any sub county’s performance, and hence a ground for bonus. For the financial years 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, Ihandiro sub county has been in position of getting these performance bonuses and this has increased on the sub county income.

In view of the above, most communities are willing and ready to participate in any development intervention as long as they are informed /invited and therefore, for effective planning and budgeting of any sub county, there is need for participation of all stakeholders.

By Betty K- KALI

THE PRIDE OF A WOMAN IS FINALLY RECOVERED IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

It has been long since the girl child has suffered silently with menstrual problems in primary schools. Most girls have no information about how their bodies change from childhood to adulthood and those who know from science do not take it serious because they study to pass! Mothers fear to talk about it because they are shy! Then who will speak out for the young generation?

KALI has taken this seriously because it found out that most girls drop out of school because of menstrual hygiene. They do not get enough information about menstruation that when they finally face it, they stain their clothes in class and boys laugh at them which embarrass them and they finally leave school or isolate themselves from other people because they think that they are abnormal.

Ms.Betty Katusabe, KALI Director, demonstrating to the pupils how to make low cost sanitary pads

You may wonder now what these children have been using as pads. I happened to ask that question to girls from Buhathiro, Kihungamiyagha , Kihungu primary schools and they told me that they use old clothes stolen from their little siblings nappies, some pick these old clothes from garbage pits, and others just stay in bed to spoil their beddings. Worse still, these girls do not have knickers to hold these clothes, yet they have to involve in school co-curricular activities at school. This causes to their pads to drop in public and there is no more embarrassment than this. It clearly explains why the enrolments of girls reduce as they grow to be promoted to higher classes.

KALI therefore came up with the idea of making re-usable pads (RUMPS). We first sensitize the children about menstrual hygiene then demonstrate on how to make these pads. We use a clean cotton or poplin cloth, a scissor, an exercise book for measurements, a needle, a thread, a button, chalk or pencil to measure, and any cotton or thick clean cloth, a Kittenge or even a towel to make a re-usable pad which is made to imitate the disposable pads sold in the shops. This has been done in 15 schools of Bukumbia, Mahango, Nyamisule, Bishop Egdio, St. peters Kibalya in Mahango sub county, Kitabu, Kitabona, Kyarumba, Kihungu and Kihungamiyagha in Kyarumba sub county, Buhathiro and Kibirigha in Ihandiro sub county, Mpondwe primary and Nyabugando P/S in Mpondwe Lhubiriha town council, and Kisolholho primary school in karambi sub county.

The girls! Ooh they are very happy that someone can live happily as one girl from Kibirigha   primary school said “at last! The embarrassment of stamping is over”. And even the mothers who attended appreciated the idea that they promised to sensitize other parents towards the same but still need to be sensitized.

This program needs to reach a wider area and this is to appeal to partners and donors to save the girl child, especially those in hard to reach schools to inspire their future. This will indeed make the world a better place to leave.

By Masika Scovia

KALI

Why does Kamuntu want a private investor in UWA-Kasese deal?

Editor:On monday, New Vision published a story entitled "UWA,Kasese deal flops. I am surprised by the decision of the tourism minister, Ephraim Kamuntu. The Kasese District Local Government is a corporate entity that has identified ways of raising funds locally. According to the Uganda wild Authority, shs 1b was identified but the tourism minister has advised to instead look for a provate investor. Following the trends in the private sector promotion and investment in Uganda, why has the Minister zeroed on this alternative instead of letting UWA and Kasese district handle the deal as already planned? I strongly believe that this project would bring hope to the district which is struggling to improve on it's local revenue collection.

The minister should inform the people of Kasese why this deal could not be executed without involving a private investor.

 Jimmy B.Odyek
 jimodyek@gmail.com
 Source: New Vision Wednesday August 15th 2012 Page 17

BUNDIBUGYO TO HOST THE CSOs FAIR AS RWECO LAUNCHES THE 3RD E-SOCIETY CENTRE IN THE REGION

The Regional CSOs fair an event that provides a platform for development actors and community members to reflect, share information and advocate for regional development corncerns is on in full gear. the event that attracts participants from the CSOs, farmers, Local Government and the private sector takes place every two years the initial one being in 2004.

The coordinator RANNET talks to the RDC Bundibugyo RANNET as the lead agency has organized a series of planning meetings attended by representatives from RIC-NET, RIDE-AFRICA, KRC, SATNET, AHURIO, KANCA, and FORMA among others. Under the theme: peace and unity for sustainable regional development, the 2012 regional CSOs fair (5th Edition) will be held from 10th -13th September at Bundibugyo Booma grounds with various activities as debates on peaceful co-existance, food security & ICT exhibitions, launch of the Bundibugyo E-society centre and the regional development framework. On 1stAugust 2012, the Coordinator RANNET and Program manager RIC-NET travelled to Bundibugyo where they mobilized and interacted with the District leaders, CSOs as BAWILA and companies as ESCO Uganda Limited, HOFOKAM, MOVIT, who positively responded towards attending and supporting the regional CSOs fair. Most outstanding was that the chief administrative officer signed the MOU that formalizes the setup of the E-society centre in the District. After the set up, RWECO will have the E-Society centre launched as one of the major activities during the Regional CSOs fair in September.

Dutch to improve literacy levels in Kasese

The observer Sunday, 05 August 2012 19:11

Written by WILBER MUHWEZI

0 Comments

Rwenzori consortium civic competence (RWECO) has started a campaign to improve literacy and the English proficiency levels of 9,000 pupils from Kasese and Kabarole in three years.

RWECO is a consortium of NGOs that are involved in programmes that hold government accountable to its citizens.  According to RWECO programme officer, Patrick Bwambale, the project is funded by EDUKANS Foundation from Netherlands at the tune of 120,000 Euros (Shs 360m).

The project aims at enhancing communication skills in 30 primary schools in the two districts. Under the project, 450 teachers and 30 tutors will be trained in how to teach the English language. Bwambale told The Observer that research conducted in the Rwenzori region revealed that half of the pupils have difficulties in writing and reading.

For instance, the UWEZO 2010 showed that 50% of the pupils have serious difficulties in communication through reading. Another research by the National Assessment for Primary Education (NAPE) 2008 revealed that pupils in primary six have very low literacy skills. Bwambale attributed the lack of English proficiency to the thematic curriculum in the lower primary where pupils are taught in their local languages.

As part of the project, RWECO organized such activities as debating, poetry, singing, puzzles, games and sports at Atlas Model primary school in Bwera, Kasese district. The winners of the competitions received prizes.

wmuhwezi@yahoo.com

Accessed on Monday 6^th August, from: http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20199:dutch-to-improve-literacy-levels-in-kasese-&catid=85:education&Itemid=106

Posted on the blog by:

RWECO

Kalangala District Leaders Support Technology for Social Accountability

A Team of CSO representative  on Wednesday 1 August 2012 met  with representative of the District Leadership of Kalangala to discuss issues on  how ICT support citizens access to information and feedback mechanism to strengthened social accountability.

on possible means of transport  to the Kalangala;  ferry in Bukakata and small boats between islands.

This was part of the Social Accountability project  implemented CEW-IT and partners in 25 District of  the 5 regions in Uganda with support from  EU, HIVOS and DGAP (Government of Uganda).

Mr. suliaman (KHRD), Mr. Fedrick (D/CAO), John Silco (RIC-NET), Mr. Bulemezi (A/CAO) not is photo is Rose FHRI

 The team which comprised of Ms Rose Nayondo from Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), Mr. Ssenyojo Suleiman from Kalangala Human Rights Defenders (KHRD) and Mr. John Silco from RIC-NET had a round table discussion with Ms.  Ssembiya Fausta the District vice Chair Person, Mr.  Wanje Micheal the Deputy CAO and Mr. Balemeezi Fredrick the Principal Assistant Secretary.

The CSO representatives introduced the planned online and offline platforms that will support the District leadership to enhance sharing of timely and credible information.  These includes support for the District website development, the District e-library, the  District bulk sms, hosting leaders on Radio programs, support to District interface meeting  with CSO and the Citizens; conducting  Neighborhood assemblies (Barraza)  and support to citizens feedback platform http://www.citizensvoice.ug  using the 6030 short code.

The team with Ms Fausta (in White) the Vice Chair Person of Kalangala District

 Ms Rose  (FHRI) explaining a point to the  D/CAO  and A/CAO

The Vice Chair Person was impressed with the package but asked the team to stress the radio programs and the Baraza (neighborhood assemblies). She pledged her office support and participation in providing credible information to the citizens.

On his part, the D/CAO was happy with bulk sms support, he believed that this will help his office to offer alerts and reminders to both staff and citizens. He highlighted that another problem in the District is HIV AIDS prevalence believed to be very high. He revealed that out of the 10 suspected rapists or rape victims, 7 have been found HIV+,; so a ration of 7:10 if this group can be taken as a sample.

He raised concern that the citizens’ feedback platform should have a clear verification of reports mechanism to ensure that the citizens’ reports are also credible. The D/ CAO promised District support to ensure that the results of the project are sustained and agreed to fast track the review of the MOU  with FHRI.

Om his part, Mr. Fredrick reported that Kalangala website www.kahangala.co.ug is no longer functional and the support has come at the right time. He revealed that the costs of delivering services in Kalangala  is high since most of the travels are by water which uses twice the fuel used on road transport.

Action needed are: to have  the District input in the MOU within in two weeks,  to start the official process of getting the administrations rights of the domain name, the CSO to start designing the  Mockup site and arrange subsequent visits. 

The struggle to reach the ferry in time otherwise your leave the next day

 The District Vice Chairperson requested for an increase in the number of sub –counties under the Social accountability project and involvement of more citizens. 

She commended the work of FHRI in the District and the local partner KHRD.

On their party, the CSO were very grateful to the willingness of Kalangala District support to the project and hopped that with such support the  citizens voice in social accountability will be pronounced.

Will Inclusive education deliver its intended results Uganda?

The minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Developed Hon. Maria Kiwanuka delivered her second budget speech to a fully packed house on  14^th June, 2012.  The events that unfolded immediately after Hon. Maria Kiwanuka presented the budget speech left many questions un answered. While giving his speech during the budget day, H.E Yoweri MK, the president of the republic of Uganda, was left puzzled by why Uganda was still importing ‘dressed chicken’ while Uganda had all the resources to supply chicken to the market, the other question was why should Ugandans export ‘maize grains’ instead of exporting maize flour or other products. It seems the Minister of Trade, Hon. Amalia Kyampade took note of the presidents concerns. I was in Mwanza, Tanzania during the budget speech, but quickly followed the events on internet and later downloaded the budget speech from the Ministry of Finance website, something that has embraced me to follow events in my country even when miles  away.

Immediately after the budget speech, Uganda joined the rest of the African countries to commemorate the International day of the African Child on 16^th June, 2012 under the theme “THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES: THE RIGHT TO PROTECT, PROMOTE AND FULFILL” I had participated in the preparatory meetings in  Kasese district, Western Uganda but because I had another international assignment, I left but had a mind of following all the events since an IT team had been informed of uploading  the events on the blog and youtube.  Kasese was chosen to host the regional celebrations for the Rwenzori Region covering seven district of Kasese, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyejonjo, Ntoroko, Kyegegwa and Bundibugyo. I also followed the events on a blog story provided by Rwenzori peoples’ voice: http://rwecovoice.blogspot.com/2012/06/plight-of-vulnerable-children.html and you tube. Indeed, 16^th June, 2012 will remain a memorable day in the lives of the pupils who participated in commemorating the international day of the African Child  in Kasese district.

Figuur 1. Andrew Bwambale of Rukoki Model P Sch. Kasese district

Being a concerned and patriotic citizen, I watched the video and followed up the activities and made phone calls to some participants to find out the conditions of the pupils that show cased their skills at the celebrations. One of the pupils that I followed was Andrew Bwambale (12) a P.4 pupils at Rukoki Model school. I made a phone call to the head teacher to find out how she manages to train the pupils, the government contribution and other requirements for such pupils.  The head teacher, Rukoki Model Primary School, was frank to say that, Andrew was a determined pupil ready to confront any challenges in his education career but was challenged to get the necessary support to see him through his dreams of education. I hanged up and reflected back on the budget which Hon. Maria Kiwanuka presented few days back before celebrating the Day of the African Child. I browsed through the budget: Section C, 63:

“Madam Speaker, the education sector has the largest share of our national budget with a total provision increasing from Shs 1,418 billion  in the current financial year to Shs 1,669 billion in the next financial  year. This amounts to 17% of the total budget. The sector provision will  also cater for salary increases for Primary School Teachers and Science  Teachers in Post O-Level institutions. I have allocated Shs. 290 billion  for teachers, scientists and other civil servants”.

Kasese district only allocated UGX 1.5Million to sports and Music in the 2012/13 budget

But what did the head teacher share with me “ Andrew lacks support, he has no wheel chair, he has lost his limbs, but determined to study, I call upon members of the civil society to support this boy” I wondered whether the government proposal of inclusive education will  deliver to the expectations of such pupils like Andrew who are struggling amidst all odds to keep in school. Surprisingly, when I observed Andrew in the photo above, it shows how such pupils are capable of joining the job market and compete with the rest of the skilled labour force that we currently have. As a pro-poor analyst, I checked the Kasese district budget that was approved by council on 24th July of which Ugx 5bn out of Ugx 41bn was allocated to the education sector, but surprisingly only Ugx 1.500,000/ had been allocated to sports and music. I am still left puzzled like my senior citizen Mze. HE Yoweri KM who could not believe that Ugandans still import chicken despite the God given environment that is good for agriculture and poultry rearing. Can Ugx. 1.5m deliver the district sports team to national standards, what about the likes of Andrew who needed special consideration which was not reflected in both the district and national budgets? 

Its time now for Ugandans to see where we put our priorities, the education sector was ranked to take the biggest part of the national budget, who will benefit from this budget? While, Uganda was proud to present success stories in the Universal Primary Education program with enrolment now at 8,098,177 ( Education Statistical Abstract, 2011), the challenge is still what are our priorities if we must attain the education goal of providing relevant quality education to all Ugandans. Will Andrew and his friends benefit from this if inclusive education is top on the agenda? I believe, affirmative action  was the best to children with disabilities. Take the case of sanitary facilities at most of the schools, whereas, government policy is clear on these elements of disability but how much has been achieved to cater for individual disabilities even within the cluster of children with disability. Let us not shy away from the truth, if we keep making blanket statements, our children who are disadvantaged will not see the benefits of Education for all.

I have keenly followed the trends in the reports of the presidential special committee investing the abuse of Universal Primary Education and Secondary Education, colossal sums of money has been put to waste! Who is to blame?  Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, Senior Presidential Advisor, has questioned why our MPs are taking all their time to debate the succession question ( see newvison August 2, 2012).  I want to share with  Mr. Moses Byaruhanga that debating is good for our young generation and politicians. If the public had not been questioning the delivery of services, President Yoweri MK could not have known about the gaps in the Naads , Education and Health sectors. Let us give room for debate and question government to look beyond figures,  if these figures can be  translated into facts. I will ask also another question to the minister of Finance. Hon. Maria Kiwanuka, will the Andrews of this Uganda benefit from the 17% budget allocation to the education sector if you don’t allocate  special needs education specific budget that can be tracked?

The resource envelope for the Ugandan budget 2012/13 is enough if government ensures that leakages within the delivery systems are blocked. According to the world bank report, Uganda loses close to Ugx. 500bn per annum in contracts gone bad. Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, while presenting at the launch of the activities  to mark 50 years of Uganda’s independence was quick to say “ let us make corruption a risk venture instead of glorifying the corrupt”  how many children with disability would benefit from Ugx. 162bn that was awarded to one individual, or even the recent scam in the Office of the Prime Minister. Ugandans what has gone wrong, the world is not about to end. Play your part, tomorrow is there for us. While its clear that those in position of leadership are not in touch with the realities in the country side, Uganda is there for us all to enjoy despite  our status. My message is, after 50 years of independence can we give a chance to the likes of “Andrew to live” and take part in the development agenda of our country Uganda.

Jimmy Baluku Odyek

Poverty and Policy Analyst and works with Rwenzori Consortium for Civic Competence
Kasese, Western Uganda.

‘HELL’ BREAKS LOOSE IN BUNDIBUGYO DISTIRCT

There has been cholera outbreak in Bundibugyo since May 21st to date. This was revealed by the District bio-statistician Mr. Kule Justus and the LCV Vice Chairperson Mr. Mbalibula Baluku Godfrey during an interview with Good Hope Foundation for Rural development staff, while carrying out the participatory assessment on poverty eradication policies in the health and water sectors. The number of cholera cases so far has gone to 172 persons, 43 coming from Bundibugyo town council. Two (2) deaths have been reported while 10 persons have been confirmed to have cholera. They are admitted in Bundibugyo main hospital and Nyahuka Health Centre IV. The causes are said to stem from consumption and use of dirty water from the streams/rivers that have been contaminated by domestic and livestock activities done along them. In a similar development it is alleged that during the visit of Omusinga Charles Wisely Mumbere to Bundibugyo, there were clashes between Bakonzo and Bamba/Bawisi over the King’s presence and cultural activities in Bundibudigyo. Reports indicate that these clashes forced the Bakonzo to cut water pipes to stop water supply to the Bamba/Bawisi community, hence facilitating continuous outbreak of cholera. Accordingly the Bundibugyo District disaster team is working hard to sensitize the community on the various preventive measures; washing hands with soap after using the latrine, before and after eating , drinking boiled, using clean water containers and seeking immediate medication incase of infection to mention but a few. According to the District Vice Chairperson, Hon. Godfrey he reveled that no funds have so far been received from the Central government to support in the sensitization of the masses and treatment of the victims.

EHTICS AND INTEGRITY A MUST

Kyegegwa RDC, Ms. Baguma Nyakwera addressing  the 

meeting on 11 July

Business as usual will nolonger be a term used in Kyegegwa district as leaders have vowed to crackdown on staff that are rather not meeting the required public service standards. That was said during a joint meeting between the Resident District Commissioner Ms. Baguma, LCV Chairperson Mr. Norman Birungi, the district speaker, the Deputy CAO and the team from RWECO and RIDE Africa. In attendance was a staff who had come for placement at RIDE Africa from Tanzania Ms. Patricia. RIDE Africa and RWECO initiated a meeting with the RDC to train leaders on promotion of ethics and integrity that is a core component of the clients charters that are a package of the social accountability tools. The meeting that took place on wed. July 11, 2012 in the RDC's office appreciated the work RWECO and RIDE Africa was doing in Kyegegwa district. The Coordinator RWECO informed the meeting, that he was committed to ensuring that citizens get what they deserved from the leaders as promised and reflected in the district budgets. The RDC, made it clear that time for laxity was over, if it ever existed in Kyegegwa anyhow, she said she was committed to ensuring that Kyegegwa district does not appear in the press for the wrong things but rather as a learning and fast growing district. On his part, the district Chairperson Mr. Norman Buringa, assured the meeting, that since he had a history of working with CSOs, it was now time for him to walk the talk during his time in office. The LCV chair, proposed that on the day of the launch, Hon. Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo should be the chief guest, the RDC was asked to make a formal write up to invite the Minister and the trainer from the ministry of Ethics and Integrity.

Kyegegwa District LCV Mr. Norman Birungi (second left), appreciating the work done by RWECO

The speaker to council, supported the idea of training leaders and suggested that the launch of the district integrity promotion forum should not leave Kyegegwa leaders the same. 

RWECO and RIDE Africa, agreed to contribute towards the training of the district leaders and offer radio air time to sensitize the Bataka of Kyegegwa on the district integrity promotion forum. A date was set for the training as 30-31, July 2012 and RDC as chair was charged with mobilising resources and other logistics to support the event. The success of these activities steam back from the lessons RWECO has learnt in Kasese and Bundibugyo at which the DIPF have proved to be a milestone in ensuring good governance and effective service delivery to the grassroots people; http://observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19492&Itemid=114

Ms. Patricia from Tanzania appreciate the approach used by RIDE Africa in involving the leaders while planning for activities that it increased ownership and recognition of the contribution made by all the stakeholders. She acknowledged that, RIDE Africa and RWECO is her mentor in some of the new processes of promoting good governance and social accountability which she was not well versed with. Kudos to Hivos that has funded RWECO and its members to do all these activities in the Rwenzori region and support RWECO to scale up the activities in all the seven districts in the Rwenzori Region.

Compiled by
Jimmy Baluku -RWECO
 and Sam Rukidi -RIDE Africa
Kyegegwa District

FORGET PHC FUNDS, DHO TELLS HEALTH CENTER IN-CHARGE

Ms. Baguma Samalie is an In-charge at Rwengaju HC II. Samalie a lady in her mid thirties has proven to be hardworking and committed to saving lives in Rwengaju parish Busoro Sub County, Kabarole District. Supported by five other staff, Samalie has through thick and thin managed to keep the HC effectively running and growing. Apart from reporting for duty everyday at 8:00am to 6:00pm which is not the case with most of today’s Health workers, Samalie has gone ahead to use her personal savings and salary to implement several activities at the HC especially the outreach activities like immunization. Samalie who is around two years old at the HC revealed to the RWECO monitoring team on 27.06.12 that she and her staff had offered to use their own savings to run the center, with the hope that they would recover these funds when Government sends the HC’s PHC funds. Such love for the people and commitment at work is what I find inspiring and tongue tying as well. Whereas government is failing on its role to provide adequate PHC funds to HCs coupled with its delay, it has gone ahead to cut the national health budget year after year, and also deny some HCs their PHC arrears; Rwengaju HCII is one of them. According to the HC In-charge the HC serves a population of over 9000 people, receives between 20-40 people per day and 18milllion shillings PHC funds per year.

Unfortunately this money comes in late or doesn’t even come at all, for instance Samalie revealed that “as much as PHC funds are expected to be quarterly and 1900000 million shillings per year, we usually receive around 850000 shillings only which also comes in late, like after 2 quarters or even nothing at all; for example we have not received PHC for almost a year now. We were forced to use our own savings to keep the Center running, hoping that we shall recover it, unfortunately when i followed up with the DHO in early June, he told me to forget that money-the arrears. He said that government does not have money to even fund current programs so demanding and expecting arrears becomes even more difficult” Samalie revealed that she finds the situation and the DHO’s communication very demoralizing and scary, “I do not know how we shall keep working with inadequate funds. And now that we can’t even recover our previous monies, I do not think we the staff can continue funding the HC, Government should do something” Samalie remarked. Looking at the amount of PHC funds received versus the total population of Rwengaju parish, it is clear that each person gets less than 3shillings of the PHC funds; an amount so small to save a life, not even treat minor diseases. With the limited support government is giving to the Health sector and Rwengaju HCII in particular, it goes without saying that even the self motivated and hardworking staff at the HC will lose interest in their work and let things/services and lives ‘go to the dogs’. There is need for continued advocacy and lobbying of the government by development partners, and health practitioners to increase the health budget and PHC

six Injured in Farmers clashes with Pastrolists in Rwehingo Kasese

Six people are said to have been injured this morning in a land wrangle between the cultivators and cattle keepers in Rwehingo in Bukonzo west constituency.
Four of the injured are cultivators while other two said to be seriously injured are cattle Keepers.
The High Court judge Justice Owiny Dolo early in may his year ruled in favour of the farmers who had sued government for giving out their land to the pastoralists when they were repatriated from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006.
Court also ordered the government to pay twelve million shillings to each of the two hundred eighty nine farmers who had not cultivated on the land for five years.
Farmers who successful won a high court case of their land in Rwehingo and Bukangara in Bukonzo West were this morning being handed their land only to be welcomed by the cattle keepers armed with pangas and Speers.
The particulars of those injured are not yet known but sources say that they have been rushed to Bwera hospital for medication.
Our correspondent at the scene said that cattle keepers were later dispersed by Police using tear gas and they took off.
The Kasese district Chairperson Lt. Col. Mawa Muhindo together with Police went to scene to officially hand over the land under question to the farmers.
By press time, efforts to here from the chairman Lt. Col. Mawa Muhindo were futile but he has always said that the district leadership will honour the high court ruling that says the land belongs to the farmers.

Reported by  Edward Makanika

 https://www.facebook.com/makanika.edward

Gains of Social Accountability in Kamwenge District

ISSUES RAISED DURING THE RADIO TALKSHOW AND RESPONSES BY THE MPS (Q &A)

AS ON 29/6/2012 AT  PRIME TIME 6:00 -7:00 PM UNDER RWECO –KABUGA PROGRAMME 

Hon. Frank Tumwebaze (right), Hon. Dorothy (middle) and Muhesi during a radio talk show in Kamwenge

Sector	Issues raised calls in on VOK as on 29/6/2012	General Responses from the MPS
Health Services	A caller posed a question to the MPS that: It appears that there is no or little support from our leaders on HIV/AIDS and Cancer of cervix and breasts?.	District Woman MP Hon. Dorothy Nshaija supported 8 women for Cancer of breast and cervix. 4 women were found victims of multiple breast and cervical cancer. A mother of 4 children at  age of 25 years old had both cancer of breast and cervical and an HIV/AIDS. So she told the gathering that HIV/AIDS is on rise in Kamwenge District. She  urged CSOs-RWECO to mobilize and sensitize the masses They are all on free treatment. The Ambulances for Rukunyu Health Centre IV and Ntara HC IV are in place and urged citizens to use them effectively.
	The citizens engaged the MPs on what is the fate of Rukunyu HC IV, Biguli HC II and Mpanga?	Biguli and Kabambiro HCs will be Upgraded from HCII to HC III. Mpanga will be created and work as HC II to reduce on the congestion of outpatients in Rwamwanja Refugee Camp and its environs. Rukunyu Health Center IV is being refurbished and the MPS are lobbying for it is upgrading to Hospital status. Maternity ward and the theatre are being constructed at Rukunyu HC IV and they will be stocked with all the essential supplies. He urged the HUMC to be vigilant on the Sanitation and Hygiene in the Wards and OPDs. Kanara HC III to get a maternity ward Padoropio is a missionary  HC to be upgraded into Hospital Repair of the standby generator at Ntara HC IV where so far over 90 women have delivered and operated using the generator as source of power.
Production and Marketing	NAADS- Two callers  demanded for community purchase rather than open domestic bidding or/micro procurement in order to have impact on the farmers as most of the cost is for administration-service providers.	The MPS promised to follow the issue since Hon MP Frank is on the Finance Sectoral committee of the Parliament. He promised to influence the cabinet not to be tendering NAADS money instead use community purchase.
	A caller from Mahyoro S/C informed the MPs on the delay of planting materials and seeds (cuttings, vines, beans, maize, G/nuts) normally delay and NAADS impact is not felt in the community. This has affected the food security of the farmers.	The MPs asked the District Speaker to table the issue in the council to first be minuted so that community procurement can be advocated for. This  allow will make NAADS be owned by the beneficiaries
	Pond Fish farming; A caller from Mahyoro engaged the MP on why NAADS has neglected the fish farms? We have no nets for fishing	The Woman MP promised to talk to the district NAADS Coordinator and the Fisheries Department for the total support in fish production gears
	Coffee Farming. Hima has given coffee seedlings are they for free?	Yes…everyone will get coffee seedlings. Hima will give 7 million seedlings and they asked the citizens to plant and take care of the coffee. First batch will be one million seedlings.
Roads and works	Four (4) callers from Katoma, Mpanga, Kyakanyemera and Kabuga cell engaged the MPs on the status of the roads and works in the district.	MPs lobbied for Road unit equipment for the district. The district and S/Cs will be buying only fuel to the graders and tippers. Two motorcycles one for Kibale and Kitagwenda Counties will be given each. Kamwenge-Fort portal Road to be upgraded to tarmac this FY 2012/13.
Education	USE Programme: Five (5) callers from Nyabbani S/C engaged the MPS on how their Secondary schools have benefited from the USE programme.	The following secondary schools were put to benefit from USE funds: Nyabbani, Biguli, Kabambiro, Mohyoro and Kyabenda for the construction of classrooms and VIP latrine stances.
	UPE Programme	The Woman Mp Hon. Dorothy distributed 50 mattresses to 45 girl child and 5 boy child in the primary schools. But a girl from Rwanjanza P/S disappointed the MP as the girl was impregnated and dropped out of school.
Governance and Democracy	Land use and Land titles issues: Residents of Kamwenge appealed to the MPs to secure the Rwamwanja Land from the Refugee settlement-UNCHR	The MPs urged all the residents of Kamwenge district both public and private to lease their pieces of land and acquire land titles. The MP. Frank has organized 10 Households to contribute some money so that they survey their land and secure the land titles. He urged district land board through the District Speaker and his Council to lobby RWECO-KALI to support the Land Board on  VOK FM Radio to explain to  the citizens the issues of land title acquisition procedure.

Compiled by
Nicholas Muhesi
KALI-in Kamwenge District