ToroDev held a rural radio debate/magazine in Bweramule Sub County, Ntoroko district.

The rural radio debate targeted women and youth from remotest communities in the Rwenzori region. The debate aim at getting voices of women to enable them participate in the democratic discussions and contribute for following up the newly elected leaders to improve essential service delivery in Uganda. This is because rural women face challenges of participating in open democratic discussions. A member of the Rwenzori Journalists Forum (RJF), another initiative of ToroDev with support from NED, was facilitated to organize this rural debate.

Citizens of Bweramule sub county during rural radio debate/magazine.

The debate was held on 9th May 2018 in Bweramule Sub County Ntoroko district and issues from 85 women,youths and duty bearers who attended were recorded and amplified live on Jubilee radio during the “Listeners forum” program that is sponsored by ToroDev on Sunday 13th May, 2018 starting from 8:00-10:00pm for the duty bearer’s intervention.

Key issues raised through the Rural radio debate.

“The education sector is alarming in Ntoroko district for example there is no single secondary school in Bweramule Sub country this has forced many learners to drop out of school after Primary seven”. Said Kellen Kabonesa during the rural radio debate.

Kellen Kabonesa a citizen of Bweramule sub county sharing her views during the rural radio debate/magazine.

“In Rukora parish there is no any UPE primary school, our kids walk long distances to access the nearest school in Bweramule which is 1 hour walk. We call up on duty bearers to lobby for at least a primary school in our Parish”. Said Kahwa Jeniffer from Rukora village in Bweramule Sub County.

“We have a problem of late coming of teachers at Bweramule primary school some schools in this sub county have staff quarters but teachers refused to sleep in them, this has increased late coming and absenteeism of teachers, we request sub county leaders to monitor teachers and work with ,PTA & SMC to encourage them use the staff quarters”. Said Koburungi Rosette during rural radio debate.

Koburungi Rosette sharing her concerns on the status of services in Bweramule sub county Ntoroko district during rural radio debate/magazine.

“Most UPE schools have very old structures that need improvement and renovation, we request our duty bearers to select at least 3 schools and make them models”. Said Matali Councilor district who represents Bweramule Sub County.

“We have a challenge of lack drugs at Bweramule Health centre II. Whenever we come to seek for services, we are referred to other private clinics to buy medicine, I wonder what our M.Ps do?”. Said Robina Kammuli during the rural radio debate.

“We have a challenge of nurses who intentionally refuse to work on patients during night hours, they refuse to wake up and tell us to wait until its morning, which has caused loss of lives of some of our relatives. I call upon our women Member of parliament to help us”. Said Kabonesa Peninah during the debate in Bweramule Sub County.

She added that the government supplied mosquito nets freely in other district but for us in Bweramule Sub County we are forced to pay 2,500/= shillings

women and youths who attended rural radio debate/magazine in Bweramule sub county Ntoroko district.

“We have received the complaints of people about the nurses who don’t work at night, who ask for money to attend to patients and who ill-treat patients at Bweramule HC II but as a leader am going to work with DHO and we follow up these health workers”. Said Komuhendo Gorret deputy speaker Bweramule Sub County during the debate.

During 2 hours of live radio broadcast a citizen from Bweramule sub county Mr. Muntu Wily was hosted live to react on the issues raised by women and 30 people from Rwenzori region called in to contribute to what women had said.

“We request DHO Ntoroko to address the issues concerning Bweramule health centre 11 as soon as possible to allow the facility provide better service” Said Muntu Willy during the live radio talkshow.

“The government sends drugs in health centres but there is limited supervision by the DHO’s and the team, so us citizens suffer in the hands of others who misuse the drugs this has not only affected Ntoroko but the whole country”. Said Kanyamatonwa a caller from Kabarole district.

“We have failed to get leaders who can work for people in Ntoroko district, all sectors are in sorry state, insufficient drugs, poor performance in school, impassable roads etc where are we going as Ntoroko people”. Said Tinkasimire a caller from Bweramule Ntoroko district

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