To eradicate poverty in Rwenzori, Govt must target youths between 18-30--Report

To eradicate poverty in Rwenzori, Govt must target youths between 18-30--Report By Francis Tusiime 4/6/2015 Kabarole In Rwenzori sub region, government must target youths between 18 and 30 years, a recent survey in the region indicates. The assessment was carried out by Toro Development Network (ToroDev), an NGO based in Fort Portal in 2014 in the districts of Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa and Ntoroko engaged majority of the youth respondents in the Rwenzori sub-region. “The assessment team found out that youth were more willing and attached great relevance on the role of information and knowledge sharing in promoting public accountability and poverty eradication processes than any other population group” said Mr Johnstone Baguma Kumaraki, the Executive Director at ToroDev on Wednesday. The assessment also found that majority of the men (67%) accessed and used information and were engaged in some level of knowledge sharing than women (30%). “This could be explained by a number of reasons. One of them could be access to information tools like radio handsets, print newspapers and others” Baguma reasoned. The findings, however, show that married couples (62%) access information and were involved more in some form of knowledge sharing than single or unmarried individuals (32%), especially women. “One could argue that there is a likelihood women still face a challenge of high costs to access or own information tools in the rural community” the study indicates. The survey also found that major discrepancies in information access and knowledge sharing for improved service delivery and poverty reduction in the Rwenzori sub region are not as a result of basic illiteracy, but rather capacity to interpretation and application of “information for development”. However, 55 percent of grassroot citizens in the Rwenzori region expressed need for information to address poverty eradication. “Particularly, community members needed information to improve their agricultural activities, knowledge to do business/entrepreneurship, demand accountability for improved service delivery in their areas and so curb down raising cases of corruption in leadership” the report said. According to Kabarole district chairman Mr Richard Rwabuhinga, political leaders also feel that access and use of information and knowledge sharing increase their chances of winning confidence from the electorate. “Engaging with local citizens helps political leaders to understand well priority service delivery needs of their people and how to address them” said Rwabuhinga.

People asked to use media to engage leaders on service delivery.

People asked to use media to engage leaders on service delivery. By Francis Tusiime21/1/2015 Kabarole Johnston Baguma Kumaraki the Director Tooro Development Network has asked the people always to ask leaders accountability by sending their problems through the media houses. Speaking during a meeting for TRAC-Fm radio poll project said that leaders always listen to radios, read news papers. He said that when the views are sent to radios through calling in programs, sending messages they will be able to respond to the needs of people. Baguma said that this will enable leaders access the information directly while at their homes since majority can’t be reached directly. “News papers, radios publish well researched and verified information which is good for public consumption, the public should alyways use such platforms and this will help them get information “says Baguma “No leader in this country who does not read news paper or listen to the radio, therefore when the public uses the media the leaders will get the needs of the people”says Baguma Solomon Akugizibwe the communications officer Toro Dev, said that leaders always also use the media to share information to their voters so as everyone can get information. He said that the leaders should always avoid shunning from media house because they engage them on service delivery but instead always come out and explain the needs of the people.

People asked to manage Water

People asked to manage Water By Francis Tusiime The Karambi District councilor Joseph Mashuhuko has asked people always to manage water points provided by government. Speaking at the launch of a water project in Busokwa village Karambi sub county Kabarole District, said that water should always be managed to become use full to the community by not destructing it. Gideon Kamihanda the Kasokwa village chairperson for development said that their area lack electricity, water power and even roads. This has affected development in the area and this requires an address from the Kabarole District leaders. People can’t move during rainy season because of poor roads and this affects development and asked leaders to come and help the residents. For the last decades residents of Busokwa has been suffering with dirty water and their source of water was rivers and other dirty Wales. Residents have been also suffering with poor roads that are impassable and fail development.

Christ AID project donates houses to poor old women in Kabarole.

Christ AID project donates houses to poor old women in Kabarole. By Francis Tusiime 4/1/2015 Kabarole The was prayers of thanks giving in thome of Juliana Kyenda,70 years a resident of Kicuna Village –Busoro sub county Kabarole District today when she received amiraculous Shillings 20M fully furnished house donated to her by Christ Aids Project. The house was handed over to her by David Mporampora the Executive Director Christ AID Project and Rev.Etieni Kabagambe who was the guest of honour at the function. While receiving the house donation from Christ AID, Julian Kyenda said that the donation came at the time when she was leaving a ramshackle old building, and she is a total widow and could not afford even to build herself a grass thatched house. David Morampora the Director Christ AID speaking at the handover ceremony said that the project is meant to help the needy old women and also to glorify God practicall through practical action but not in words. He said that Christ AID is to donate 50 fully furnished houses to old women in Kabarole District those who are leaving in bad homes and they don’t have help. Under the project”Shelters in the storm”, the director said that they are voluntarily building houses and they don’t expect any pay back. Mporampora said that they are planning to establish a home for bedridden old women so as to leave and die a happy life on earth. Under supporting education, Christ AID has supported 1000 children in primary schools and institutions of higher learning to promote education in poor communities. “The biggest challenge faced by the organization is that they pay full tuition to children but they drop out of schools”. “The parents are also not supportive to the children we support, they give them a lot of work and they end up performing poorly in classes” says Mporampora, He criticized government leaders in Kabarole for not monitoring projects despite he has built schools, houses all leaders seem not to be minding. Rev.Etieni Kabagambe speaking as guest of honor encouraged organizations to be transparent and accountable when they receive donations from donors. He said that many religious leaders and organizations ask for donations from whites but when they get them they develop their homes and families. He thanked Mporampora for bring transparent and accountable in his actions.

Residents smile after their bore hole restored.

Residents smile after their bore hole restored. By Francis Tusiime Kabarole The residents of Kyamukoka village, Imaranjara zone, in Rutete sub county here in Kabarole district have this evening commissioned the re-opening of their only water borehole in the area following months of no safe water and long distances for the area residents to get water. The commissioning which has led by the Kitojo Integrated Sacco Manger KIDA Mr. Deogratious B Mugisa follows the failed attempts by residents to restore the bore hole and failure by the local leaders to mobilize resources for its re-construction. It was noted that pupils at Mutuli primary school, located just a few meter from the borehole had been forced to move long distances in search for water something that had affected their learning. The chairperson water committee Rubagumya Patrick narrates the difficulties. In his message Mr. Deo challenged the community to safe guard their borehole and work together for its menatainace. Asiimwe John the chairperson however observed the need for civic education to enlighten people on their responsibilities towards development.