Famers decry poor road.

Famers decry poor road. By Francis Tusiime 10/12/2014 Kabarole Farmers in Kasenda Subcounty, Kabarole district have decried the poor state of Rwankenzi Isunga road;the only district road in the subcounty that connects the farmers to Markets for their produce. The farmers sounded the alarm to the District councillor Hon.Tugume Emmanuel while attending a one-day training on Revolutionary farming approach and mindset change. Hon.Tugume promised to forward their concerns to the district to see if emargency works can be done as the road awaits full construction by the ADB funded CAIIP program. He challenged the farmers to embrace sustainable modern farming practices so as to produce high yields of high value crops which will fetch better incomes for households. He applauded the MP. Burahya Hon. Steven Kagwera for supporting the training of farmer groups by proving quality trainers. The Vice chairperson Kasenda Sub county hon.Sam Asingwire said the farmers are now preparing to start working on the district roads with Hoes if the district is defying their plea.

Ruhunda curse Tooro Kingdom for demolishing car assembling plant.

Ruhunda curse Tooro Kingdom for demolishing car assembling plant. By Francis Tusiime 11/12/2014 Kabarole Despite the people of Tooro are expecting to benefit from their Kingdom, The Fort Portal Municipality Member of parliament Hon.Alex Ruhunda has come out strongly cursing the manner in which the Tooro demolished a car assembling plant that was being developed on their land by a private investor. Tooro kingdom has the biggest resources they have land bigger than government but it’s not productive and it can’t benefit the Kingdom subjects. The Kingdom properties are only benefiting some few individuals with in the Kingdom. Ruhanda said that”W the leaders of Fort Portal Municipality the Mayor His Worship Edson Asaaba Ruyonga and I lobed a Chinese company that wanted to build a car assembling plant in Bukwali village, East Division Fort Portal Municipality, after the completion of the structures they were chased from the land by the Kingdom officials and all the structures were dismantled yet people are suffering on the streets” says Ruhunda. Speaking to Journalists at Kalya Courts Hotel in Fort Portal,he said the car assembling plant was to benefit over 500 youth who were directly to be employs in the plant and also others were to benefit indirectly as service provider. The MP said that the car assembling plant was going to bring income in Fort Portal Municipality and this was a great project for Tooro Kingdom that was going to make it have a project that is competing at National and International level. “In the name of the culture nonsense, the government has given high tittles “The King” but they can’t give anything to the people and they end up fighting development, The Kingdoms should become relevant but not parasites to the subjects” said Ruhunda. “In Uganda no Cultural institution that has a technology that is competing at International level, instead they are suffering from what to deliver and have turned into creating wars like recent June Bundibugyo attacks” They just want government sympathy in brutal way. In an interview with The Deputy Tooro Deputy Information officer Mr.Vincent Mugume said that the Municipality leaders who claim to have lobbed adonnor to put up acar assembling plant they never consul;ted the Kingdom on whether to put the project on their land or not. He further said that the car assembly plant was constructed in Bukwali play ground and the King looked at the place for youth where they used to go and carry out their sports activities like Mugume further disclosed that the Kingdom had secured a partner and in the same place they were planning to build a football stadium in the nearby future for the youth. He said that the allegation that the Kingdom failed the development that’s was not true but the investor never followed the right procedures while developing a project on the Kingdom land.

Kabarole Senior Accountant Interdicted

Kabarole Senior Accountant Interdicted By Francis Tusiime 11/12/2014 Kabrole Kabarole district NAADS Senior Accounts Assistant madam Bonabana Hilda has been interdicted over alleged embezzlement of shs8.5m. She is purported to have withdrawn shs8.5 from the district accounts that was meant for designing and producing a magazine for NAADS highlighting the progress of projects but she disappeared with it. The letter dated 5th Dec copied to chairman reads that Bonabana failed to comply to the directive issued to her on 21st October,2012 recover shs8.5 that as meant to facilitate NAADS activities. It also says that Bonabana failed to comply when she was requested to make a written explanation in two weeks indicating why she kept contravening the law. Bonabana is triable under sec 268+269 of the penal code Act Cap 120 since her actions tantamount to embezzlement and causing financial loss. According to the letter, Bonabana will be paid half salary during her interdiction till investigations are complete and she is charged in accordance to the law. She is also warned not to jet a flight outside the country without Chief Administrative Officer's permission.

Kabarole RDC attack councilors over poor reading culture.

Kabarole RDC attack councilors over poor reading culture. By Francis Tusiime 29/10/2014 Kabarole The Kabrole District RDC Mr.Stephene Asiimwe has attacked councilors for not reading information tabled in councils and this has led to poor service delivery in the district and sub counties. Asiimwe observed that some councilors go to councils to second motions but they don’t put in their own input and the needs of their areas are left behind. He said that majority of the councilors don’t know how to read and even is sub counties others don’t know how to write. Asiimwe said that the government needs to train councilors on deliberations and also challenged the public to vote for competent leaders. The RDC said that the councilors are ignorant about the laws and the constitution this gives a chance to technical persons in their areas to utilize their ignorance to steal money. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two days workshop Annual regional reflection conference 2014,organized by Tooro Development Net work under the theme Public Accountability for improved service delivery and poverty reduction in the Rwenzori region held at at Lisuiex guest center in Fort Portal, the RDC said that the councilors also fear to lobby for funds from government because they can’t write proposals and also can’t write concepts. The leaders should not stop at only focus at signing for allowances but also should focus on the output for the people they represent. Mr.Johnstone Baguma the Director Tooro development Net work accused the councilors and other leaders to have a challenge of lack of a reading culture. If someone is informed and exposed to the information that is within his areas of operation such a person can contribute articulately while demanding accountability He said that government should put up a strategy where by the leaders are availed with the relevant information that concern their area. Baguma said that the councilors they don’t know what to ask because they ignorant of the quality and quantity o what they are supposed to benefit from the government. Mary Rwakyaka the councilor South Division Fort Portal Municipality however said that the leaders are not given enough time to read and articulate the information that is given to them.

Residents of Rwimi demand trainings from leaders.

Residents of Rwimi demand trainings from leaders. By Francis Tusiime Kabarole Residents of Rwimi town council are demanding agriculture, business trainings from local leaders in Kabarole district to develop their skills and then fight poverty in their area. Isingoma Joseph a resident of Gatyanga Village in Rwimi town council said that leaders have focused on fundrising for functions, attending funerals, parties but they have not helped in organizing trainings to empower their communities. He said this has contributed to looming poverty in the villages. Byaruhanga Christopher a resident of Kyakatabazi in Rwimi village said that the leaders need to lobby government to support business and agriculture trainings to equip local with advanced knowledge on how to run their business at the national and international standards. Speaking during a training on mushroom growing and cake baking organized by peace Mutuzo at Rwimi town council headquarters, Florence Kahwa of Rwimi Town council said that women need a lot of basic trainings so as to create their own income generating activities. Peace Mutuzo working with the office of the president pledged to organize basic trainings for women in Kabarole District in order to empower them create income generating activities in their homes.

5 Fort Portal Municipality officials arrested.

5 Fort Portal Municipality officials arrested. By Francis Tusiime 17/10/2014 Kabarole Fort Portal Police is holding John Bosco Assistant Town Clerk South Division,Rymond the treasurer, Karwani Michel Municiapal Commercial officer ,Clovis Mugasa the town agent East division and Paul Mugambwa court Bailiff and resident of Rwengoma C II West division Fort Portal municipality on theft related cases. According to Police the administrators were yesterday thrown into frenzy after areport was made at police by municipal authorities. It’s alleged that John Bosco Rusoke the Assitsnt town clerk and the treasure identified as Rymond were involved in the embezzlement of unspecied amount of money. The two suspects, are accused of opening alternative and secret Bank accounts in UBA, are the Assistant Town Clerk South division John Bosco Rusoke and the treasurer of the same division Raymond It is alleged that the two connived with a Bank official of the same Bank and opened a secret Bank account where they have been depositing part of the local revenue which they would siphon off for personal use. A few months ago, the Mayor Asaba Edison Ruyonga warned that he had uncovered a gang of officials who where altering bank accounts to deposit their ill-gotten funds. Reports say the two suspects were tracked down while presenting their Bank accounts to the Chief Finance Officer and kept the controversial account out of the list they submitted. Mayor Ruyonga says they tipped Police which investigated the incident right from the Bank which resulted into the arrest of the two Men. Asaba says this is the beginning of his campaign against corruption and vowed to arrest more such people. Fort Portal municipality commercial officer Karwani Michael and two others have also have been detained at Fort Portal police station for the alleged forgery of documents and council minutes. The others are Clovis Mugasa the town agent East division and Paul Mugambwa court Bailiff and resident of Rwengoma C II West division Fort Portal municipality. Mugambwa was picked from his home on Wednesday afternoon by the police while Clovis Mugasa and Karwani Michael were nabbed when the police summoned them to make statements yesterday. It has been alleged that the suspects were netted over allegations that they forged documents and sold two vehicles belonging to the municipality. According to police investigations, in 2010 council reported that two vehicles Reg No.LG 0054/14 Lorry and UG 0637/M Double Cabin were rotting in the St.Joseph's Technical Institute garage after technocrats failed to pay money for repair worth shs 600,000. Investigations reveal that Karwani Michael while working as acting town clerk and Clovis Mugisa forged the minutes and indicated that council had resolved to sell the two vehicles and got shs2.6m and paid St. Joseph Management. They gave the forged documents to the court bailiff Paul Mugambwa who went with a potential buyer and got it from the St.Joseph's Technical Institute management after presenting the documents on Sunday night. The Lorry was sold at shs3.1m and were planning to go for the double cabin vehicle. Their arrest follows a complaint lodged by the municipality mayor Edison Asaba Ruyonga claiming that the two vehicles were missing in the garage. Meanwhile, the three suspects were released on bond today and ordered to recover the lorry from Kampala where they had sold it.

Kabarole-Ntoroko boarder conflict affects service delivery.

Kabarole-Ntoroko boarder conflict affects service delivery. By Francis Tusiime Kabarole Leaders of Kicwamba Sub County in Kabarole District have disclosed that the boarder clash between Kabarole District and Ntoroko are as a result of tribal conflicts and this has affected service delivery in the area. It’s alleged that the Bakoonjo tribe alleges that they have been missing leadership posts in Nyamisingiri Parish the disputed area and they decided to join Ntoroko so as to get leadership posts, he said that this create a conflict between the two local govournments in giving services to the local people. According to Businge Charles the chairman LC3 Kicwamba the conflict between Nombe sub county in Ntoroko District and Kicwamba sub county in Kabarole District some group of Bakonjo they feel marginalized when they don’t have leadership posts and leaders and feel that the only solution is to join Ntoroko and get their posts and lobby services for their area. The disputed villages include Mabale 1, nyabibya, Nombe,Kinyamange villages which Nombe sub county claim that it belongs to them. They received a letter from the minister of local government describing the boundaries of the area. Businge said that the issue is also turning a security threat as a group of people claim to be belonging to Ntoroko and they resist despite they are given explanation. He encouraged people at the border to be conscious on every action or activity they do that are within the law. This has affect also service delivery in the two areas where by some people were registered in Ntoroko and others were registered in Ntoroko District. Nyakahuma Innocent a leader at the parish some of the people now are getting double shares from the two governments of Ntoroko and that of Kabarole.

Ignorance of the law contributes to poor service delivery.

Ignorance of the law contributes to poor service delivery. By Francis Tusiime 6/10/14 Kabarole Lack of knowledge on the rights and freedoms prescribed in the constitution has failed local people to demand accountability in Kicwamba Sub County. Gilbert Rwaheru the coordinator Kicwamba Advocacy forum said that those leaders intimidate local people when they demand accountability and confuse them with the laws which they don’t understand. Speaking during accountability meeting held at the sub county headquarters in Kicwamba sponsored by Tooro development Network,Rwaheru said the government ,NGOs need to educate local citizens about their rights and freedoms as prescribed in the constitution. Solomon Akugizibwe the communications officer Tooro development network said that it’s aright for any citizen to access public information from any government office. He said that people should always ask leaders and technical people about their share from the national cake and how is managed. Edson Businge the chairman LC3 Kicwamba said that such accountability meetings are important in engaging leaders and technocrats to be conscious when they want to mis- use their offices. He said that Kicwamba has achieved much in social infrastructure, health, education because the engagements by such none-government organizations.

Irregular drug supply in Kabarole affects health department.

Irregular drug supply in Kabarole affects health department. By Francis Tusiime 6/10/2014 Kabarole The Kabarole District chairman Hon.Richard Rwabuhinga has disclosed that in adequate supply of drugs in health services has affected service delivery in the health sector in Kabarole District. Addressing a service delivery press conference organized by Tooro Development in partnership with Rwenzori journalist forum the chairman said that the government is allocating little budget for drug supply. He said that currently the government allocates drugs worth shillings 700,000 per sub county which is supposed to serve 3000 people. Rwabuhinga said that this increases drugs stock out and also attract people to get drugs for stocking in their homes for emergency due to fear of drug stock outs. The chairman also said that the government in the previous financial year has not been paying health workers promptly and this affects service delivery. This has contributed irregular attendance of health workers on duty. As the district they have recruited 233 workers and who include health workers who were recruited under Baylor project, build theaters and up gadded health centers. This has improved service delivery in the health sector in the finaciual year 2014/15 and also has reduced to maternal motility rate and maternal death. Rwabuhinga also said that the number of roads has been improved and constructed to help people reach health centers for services. He calls up on the government to increase budget allocation in the health sector.

Lack of District staff affects service delivery in Bundibugyo District.

Lack of District staff affects service delivery in Bundibugyo District. By Francis Tusiime 10/9/2014 Bundibugyo The Bundibugyo Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mr.Hood Nsubuga has disclosed that lack of enough staff at the District has affected service delivery. He disclosed that 80% of the staff are in substantive positions and this fail the district to take some positions according to the law of Uganda. This has failed some departments to spend the money and this has resulted into taking back money to the central government but living many activities paralyzed. Nsubuga said that the government has tried to recruit some staff but because Bundubugyo is a hard to reach area the employees run away. In a bid to improve health sector the district pain every Doctor Shillings 1 million per month but due to under funding by the central government the district will be un able to manage service delivery financial year 2014/15. He futher disclose the central government has failed to provide enough budget allocation the activities. The district budgeted for 23 billion for the official year 2014/15 but only the central government has allocated only shillings 500 millions. speaking during a service delivery meeting in Bundibugyo organized by Tooro Development Net work, said that the district is likely to fail even to carry out some activities and the most affected department is the health department. Mr.Charlse Kisembo Salube the District health officer said that he had a budget of 1billion but he budget is not even going to be funded half. This is putting health department at risk in the district to fail offering services. He said that Bundibugyo being neighboring to Congo its prone to Ebola outbreak but the district don’t have enough money to handle such cases because of lack of enough money in the financial year 2014. Pastor.Peter Bamwitirebye the District Education Officer Bundibugyo said that in the district all primary schools lack desks and class rooms and this have failed children retention in schools. School drop outs is very high, pupils abandon schools because of the poor service at schools.

Monthly Press conference launched in Bundibugyo.

Monthly Press conference launched in Bundibugyo. By Francis Tusiime 10/9/2014 Kabarole In Bid to promote transparency and Accountability in Bundibugyo District,Bundibugyo Media Practitioners Forum with support from Torro Development Net work has launched a monthly press conference in Bundibugyo District. Solomon Akugizibwe the communications officer Tooro development Net work said that the purpose of the press conference is to improve service delivery advocacy by local citizens, improve accountability from local leaders and improve the participation of the marginalized population groups of rural youth and women in governance. Jolly Tibemanya the Bundibugyo District chairman LC5 said that the initiative of press conference is relevant in the time when there is corruption, shoddy work in government Tibemanya said that in the previous years there has been poor service delivery because technical staff and leaders were not being engaged by any person. Hood Nsubuga the deputy CAO Bundibugyo said that there is still a great challenge of understaffing in the District and this has affected service delivery. He said that 80%of the civil servants are in acting positions, because people are recruited but the district being hard to rich they live jobs. Pr.Peter Bamwitirabye the District education officer said that the education still face a challenge of lack of desks for learners, this affects children retention in schools in Bundibugyo.

Nkoma advocacy forum launched in Kamwenge District.

Nkoma advocacy forum launched in Kamwenge District. By Francis Tusiime20/08/2014 Kabarole In a bid to promote transparency and accountability in Kamwenge district, members of Nkoma advocacy group supported by Tooro development network has today launched the association to get accreditation and recognition from the local leaders. Miss.Hariet Mujuni the chairperson of the forum said that they will be carrying out advocacy, research; lobby funds from government, NGOs and also promote accountability in the area. She observed that Kamwenge District is lagging behind in development because of lack of accountability amongst the technical people in the District. Mrs Mujuni disclosed that money meant for development activities in the area has been diverted by the District workers but no action has been taken because of lack of civil society and advocacy forums that engages them. Solomon Akugizibwe media and Communications officer advised the advocacy group should not only stop at launching but also should extend advocacy to make their leaders accountable. He also warned against involving politics in the advocacy forum that this may fail the group and divert it from its mission and goals. Akugizibwe also should help to sensitize the public about their constitutional rights like the access to information act, freedom of speech and expression this will empower them to demand transparency and accountability from their leaders. Mr.Elijah Biryabalema the Kamwenge resident District Commissioner (RDC) speaking at the launch held at Nkoma sub county headquarters said that the members should register the forum with District and National level to have greater lobbying opportunities.

Public encouraged to engage leaders to get good service delivery.

Public encouraged to engage leaders to get good service delivery. By Francis Tusiime 8/8/2014 Kabarole The Fort Portal Municipality MP Hon. Alex Ruhunda has asked the people in Kabarole District to work with their leader through developmental engagements so as get good service delivery in their areas. Speaking to a press conference organized by Rwenzori Journalist Forum(RJF) supported by Tooro development Net work a local NGO in Fort Portal at Hotel Conner stone in Fort Portal today, Ruhunda said that if people don’t task leaders to deliver services to them this will make them become reluctant. Presenting his achievements since he was elected in power , Ruhunda said that Power coverage in Fort Portal Municipality has been improved and also extended to areas of Kasusu, Katumba, Kasusu, Kyaruboga, Kyarugoro and Mukobo among others. He also disclosed that water, roads and schools are being improved through lobbying government support by the leaders in Kabarole District. The MP encouraged people in the Rwenzori region to live in harmony because peace will strengthen economic development in the region. Hebert Mugisa the chairman South Division said that they have played a great supervisory role in south Division to ensure that they implement various services in the division. He says that they are working around the clock to ensure that service delivery is effective in the division and advised people to still maintain the cleanliness of the town. Mugisa encouraged people to support government programs as this will enable leaders give them good services. Patrick Banyisa Black president Rwenzori Journalist Forum encouraged journalists to play their watch dog role to help people get quality services and to have a society that is informed.

Tooro Dev. launches a monthly press conference to promote accountability.

Tooro Dev. launches a monthly press conference to promote accountability. By Francis Tusiime 26/06/2014 Kabarole In a bid to promote accountability and transparency for public resources amongst leaders in the Rwenzori region, Tooro Development net Work an NGO partnering with Rwenzori Journalist Forum has today launched a regional monthly press conference. According to Baguma Johnston Kumaraki the Director Tooro Development Network disclosed that the regional monthly press conference is aimed at improving service delivery through advocacy and promoting timely accountability in the seven districts of the Rwenzori region. During the event, Kumaraki disclosed that they also launched track Fm polling initiative where the local people will be sending their views and opinions via SMS and then be documented for publication. This initiative will enable local leaders to interact with their leaders on issues that concern on service delivery in the region. The Director also said that Ugandan government is taking many of decision of public concern out of political excitement but is not using reliable data. He said through this initiative the government will be getting direct feedback from the public. Kumaraki said that this program will expose corrupt officials and leaders who are not executing their duties as expected by the public.

Speaker survives being thrown out of the council over late coming

Speaker survives being thrown out of the council over late coming. By Francis Tusiime(tusiimefrancis@gmail) Kyenjojo There was a free drama atBufunjo Sub County head quarter when council resolved to throw the speaker Bufunjo Mr.Ayebale Ndyanabu accusing him of late coming in the council yet he was supposed to open the council seating. The budget council meeting was scheduled to begin to begin at 12:00 noon according to the invitations but started at 4:11pm as a result of continued delays and misconduct by the sub county speaker. According to John Bosco Tibeha the Director Bufunjo peoples Forum said that the council that was parked to its capacity came on rampage and councilors almost resolved to postponed the meeting citing the continued disrespect of the speaker whenever council meetings are due. The councilors accuse speaker for spending most of the time in the bars and delay councilors in the meeting. They angrily resolved to kick him and his deputy out of office, on his hesitations to leave the seat he was forcefully taken away by the s urgent at arms. The council un anonymously replaced the speaker with Mr. Twinomujuni Jackson councilor Nyabirongo to chair today's council business. Kijungu Rasulu councilor Batalika parish Councilors that that the speaker and deputy should produce written apology before they are accepted to chair more council meetings or will be reshuffled. Council successfully passes shillings 190 Million for the financial year 2014/15 prioritizing fencing of the sub county, planting more trees, privatization of the latrines, and construction of the offices.

Busoro residents dont want acity but service delivery.

People from Busoro have vowed to deal with whoever comes to their sub county demanding to extend it to fort portal municipality. According to Mr.Guma Ben chairman Rwengaju kigarama disclosed that these leaders who have brought resolution of extending Busoro sucounty that are just dreaming and they cannot accept that at all. During an exclusive interview, Mr. Ben disclosed that ,as Busoro sub county are not seeing the reason as to why they can join fort portal municipality. Guma has also rubbished the chairman LC3 Busoro sub county Hon john Kusemererwa known as Kumwe who went and said that the people of Busoro have accepted to be part of Busoro Sub county that are his own words because he has never come to them seeking for their permission . He again said that, as people from Busoro does not see any good thing that they can admire from municipality which are not in administration. Beb assured that, they are ready to come to Radios with people and show up their denial to those leaders who are trying to bring their interests in the people’s lives . According to Perebu ,a business man at Hakatoma disclosed that will fight up to the last hour for not accepting to join fort portal municipality. Perabu said that those people who neighboring fort portal municipality have seen northing which can lead to join fort portal city like they don’t have good services like electricity, water, poor roads and many others. Kirungi Charles a peasant said that he grow up in administration and if those leaders tries to come and extend them will lead to his migration from that place if not there will be more trouble. Nyakojo Ismail from Rwengaju Harusozi asked the minister for local government to come and sensitize the people and seek for permission from the people of Busoro but he disclosed that he is not supporting the proposal of extending their sub county.

Leaders asked to use ICT tools to demand accountability.

Leaders asked to use ICT tools to demand accountability. By Francis Tusiime8/5/2014 Kabrole Leaders and local communities from Kabarole District has been asked to use information communication technologies tools (ICT) to promote accountability amongst the leaders to get good service delivery. Amanyire Shilla Monitoring and Evaluetion officer Tooro Development Net work said that the local citizens cant access their leaders like mebers of parliament, Local councils and some technical people whom they would demand accountability. She said that this easy when the local people use ICT tools like radios, Mobile phones. this can be done by presenting their problems on radios, making calls in radio programs and also using online forums like face book,twiter among others. Speaking to residents of Katebwa Sub County in a one day workshop organized by Katebwa advocacy forum at Kibate Primary schools, Amanyire said that radios, Television, computers have played a significant role in fighting illiteracy in Uganda. Hon.Byokufa Mustafa the LC3 Karangura sub county said that the government must invest in buying ICT tools like computers into schools and this will widen the understanding of the local citizens. He said that this will also promote research in the villages and also access new information within the local citizens. Muhindo Ezra the Director Katebwa advocacy forum said that the local residents in his area have begun engaging leaders through presenting their issues through radios. He encouraged the locals always listen to radio programs and discussion but don’t only focus on music.

Leaders asked to use ICT tools to demand accountability.

Leaders asked to use ICT tools to demand accountability. By Francis Tusiime8/5/2014 Kabrole Leaders and local communities from Kabarole District has been asked to use information communication technologies tools (ICT) to promote accountability amongst the leaders to get good service delivery. Amanyire Shilla Monitoring and Evaluetion officer Tooro Development Net work said that the local citizens cant access their leaders like mebers of parliament, Local councils and some technical people whom they would demand accountability. She said that this easy when the local people use ICT tools like radios, Mobile phones. this can be done by presenting their problems on radios, making calls in radio programs and also using online forums like face book,twiter among others. Speaking to residents of Katebwa Sub County in a one day workshop organized by Katebwa advocacy forum at Kibate Primary schools, Amanyire said that radios, Television, computers have played a significant role in fighting illiteracy in Uganda. Hon.Byokufa Mustafa the LC3 Karangura sub county said that the government must invest in buying ICT tools like computers into schools and this will widen the understanding of the local citizens. He said that this will also promote research in the villages and also access new information within the local citizens. Muhindo Ezra the Director Katebwa advocacy forum said that the local residents in his area have begun engaging leaders through presenting their issues through radios. He encouraged the locals always listen to radio programs and discussion but don’t only focus on music.

VHT bicycles rotting in stores in Bufunjo-Kyenjojo.

VHT bicycles rotting in stores in Bufunjo-Kyenjojo. By Francis Tusiime 5/5/2014 Kabarole Members of Bufunjo advocacy forum has tasked sub county leaders to explain why the bicycles donated to the village health teams(VHTs) were left in the stores rotting yet the demand for training of local residents was high. John Bosco Tibeha the chairman Bufunjo advocacy group revealed that ministry of health donated over 30 bicycles to the VHTs with an aim of carrying out health trainings in the sub county of Bufunying in the villages without any health information that would have been obtained from the health team trainings. He said according to the report made by Businge Daniel - Sub County Chief Bufunjo said that the problem came from Mr Kibikyabo the acting DHO Kyenjojo without any clear explanation.

Mpanga Market Bridge worrying lives of vendors.

Mpanga Market Bridge worrying lives of vendors.

By Francis Tusiime, 10/4/2014

Kabarole

As vendors celebrate and jubilate for inhabiting a newly constructed complex Mpanga markets, some vendors and pedestrians have expressed worries over the Mpanga market bridge that is in solely state.

The bridge that connects Mpanga Market and Kamwenge road having rotten woods and the vendors are likely to collapse into the river.

Mwesige Peter a vendor at Mpanga market said the only one bridge that is being used by the Mpanga secondary school students, Buhinga Primary school pupils, Mpanga Market vendors and customers have several times survived narrowly to collapse into water.

He said that recently they complained to the council, to their surprise only they worked part of it and left the other rotting.

Mugume Stephen said that recently witnessed a pedestrian losing her shoe in the water after she missed the rotten wood.

Kugonza Jseka a resident of Bukwali said that the municipal authorities must work on the bridge or else they are risking the lives of young people especially school going children.

Lwanga Edward the town clerk Fort Portall Municipality said that the council has written to National roads fund to have some funds to work on it.

he said that plans are under way to be worked on.

Butiti Health Centre threes suffer water, latrine problem.

Butiti Health Centre threes suffer water, latrine problem.

By Francis Tusiime 27/3/2014

Kyenjojo

Group Members of Better life youth forum Butiti in Kyenjojo district who partners with Tooro Development Net work in promoting service delivery this afternoon tasked authorities of Butiti  sub county extend water services and a latrine facility to Butiti health centre three to save patients lives from danger.

The team led by Ahaisibwe Jane the chairperson of the forum said that for a long time the sub county has been allocating money for water extension but no action has been taken.As members who monitor service delivery felt concerned and had to swing in to save the locals.

The health unit that holds over 150 patients both out and patients survive on dirty water from the wale. Previously they had a bore hole where they used to fetch water but now it’s not working for a period of two years.

Ahaisibwe said that the health unit is stinking because the patients can’t wash their beddings and clothing’s and its worse in the labors.

She said that local leaders must intervene or else patients who come to be cured are to get more water born diseases.

The chairman of the forum has gone ahead to advise the leaders to provide a latrine that is also lacking at the health unit, patients use the surrounding bush as toilets and this is likely to cause cholera outbreak.

Amanya Joseph the chairman LC3 Butiti sub county when he was asked on the issues said that they are soliciting funds to address the problems.

he observed that at the time the money allocated to work on the water and latrines had not been released by the government.

By the time the forum members visited the health unit the in charge was not present and his phone was off.

Court advises Fort Portal traders and the urban authority to settle outside court

By Francis Tusiime:Court advises Fort Portal traders and the urban authority to settle outside court High court in Fort Portal has advised parties in a case filed by Mpanga Market Vendors Association Limited against Fort Portal Municipal Council and Mayor Asaba Edison Ruyonga to settle out of court.

Court presided over by Justice David Batema had last month issued an interim injunction restraining Fort Portal Municipal Council from allocating the market space at the newly constructed Mpanga Market to the traders until the traders’ application is heard and determined.

The vendors had sued Fort Portal municipality and the Mayor Ruyonga for allegedly breaching the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the traders and Fort Portal municipal council.

The applicants among others accused the mayor and town clerk for allocating space to vendors without involving members of the market executive.

According to Mr Ahimbisibwe Joseph, the chairman of the applicants said that in order to ensure transparency, the urban authority was supposed to work with the vendors’ executive in the allocation exercise.

The vendors also argue that 200 vendors who were in the old market had lost space in the new market.

The vendors were represented in court by Mr Victor Businge of M/s Ngaruye Ruhindi & Spencer Co. Advocates while the respondents were represented by Mr Bwiruka of M/s Kahwa, Kafuzi, Bwiruka & Co. Advocates.

Court fixed April 8 to receive a feedback from the parties as to whether they have settled in harmony or not.

Mayor Asaaba Ruyonga asked to apologize before council.

Mayor Asaaba Ruyonga asked to apologize before council.

By Francis Tusiime 26/2/2014

Fort Portal

Fort Portal Municipal councilors have ordered Council Speaker Azizi Walusimbi to sermon Mayor Fort Portal Municipality Asaaba Edson Ruyonga to appear before council and apologize over contempt of council resolutions.

Kayondo Gilbert the councilor Kasusu said that the mayors has been writing letters to the minister of local government, convening meetings with the vendors at Mpanga market  without council knowledge and this have resulted council to be sued to court.

This has caused un desirable commotion at the market, this has gone ahead to cause tension and fear amongst the leaders.

Kayondo said that the mis-understandings have caused loss of revenue which would have been collected if the market was inhabited in form of taxes.

 He said that if the mayor fail to appear before council will be censored.

Junda Evyline female councilor bazaar advised council to institute a seven member committee to meet the Mpanga Market Vendors association and settle the case out of court to evade paying heavily court fees.

The council appointed Mutegeki Geoffrey, Bakasara Rose, John Mwesige, Mutegeki Geofry,Kayondo Gilbert,Ahabwe Omugisha Eunice,Tusiime Abel who will be settling the case out of court which was caused by the mayor Asaaba.

Rugamba Joseph Secretary for Finance said that the mayor should be summoned seriously so that he should not betray council again.

The question of inhabiting the new constructed Mpanga market will be discussed up on waving off court injunctions.