There is need for our elected leaders especially at national level (Members of parliament) to lobby for increased local government allocations if we are to realize improved service delivery in communities. These and more were words from Marvin Mugara the Sub County chief Harugongo Sub county when him and other leaders from Harugongo Sub county were hosted live on radio to give accountability of how they have used central and local government funds for the financial year 2017/2018.
Following the public accountability meeting in Harugongo Sub County in Kabarole district in July 2018, as one of the action points, citizens demanded that their duty bearers be hosted live on ToroDev supported radio talk shows to give elaborate accountability for what has been done, what has failed and the plans they have for the Sub County. This came due to limited time during the accountability meeting where all leaders could not share what was prepared to be shared with citizens.
On 23rd September 2018, the Sub County chief who is the accounting officer in the Sub County Mr. Mugara Marvin, Hon. Mwesige Christopher, the secretary for works and Hon. Mugisa Julius, secretary for production were hosted live on ToroDev’s supported weekly talkshow on Jubilee radio.
During the 2 hours live program (8:00pm-10:00pm), the Sub County chief said Harugongo as a sub county for the financial year 2017/2018 received one hundred and five million shilling (105 million) for road fund, unconditional grant, extension grant, ex-gratia and local revenue. He further said 3 groups were supported, Busaiga youth bull fattening project was supported with 15 million shillings under youth livelihood program, Boda Boda group was supported with thirteen million shillings (13m) to buy Boda Bodas, etc. Mr. Mugara said limited funding from central government hinders development in the sub county because there is a lot of community development work being demanded by citizens but the funds they receive is merger that could not allow them implement projects to meet citizens demands.
The head of works committee said for the financial year 2017/2018, they have done some work under the road sector for example; Kyakaigo-Bulyanyenje-Buzinda, Mugamba-Nyakabira-Nyakacweka, Nyabukara-Harugongo, Kakundwa-Mpinga roads were opened to ease movement of people and goods.
Under water sector, Bulyanyenje shallow well, Kyamahuli bore hall, Rwenjoka protected spring, etc were repaired for people to access safe and clean water and reduce on the water borne diseases affecting the populace.
The construction of the sub county headquarters has reached slab level and has costed twenty-four million shillings (24m), a slaughter slab and Bulyambuzi community hall have been constructed.
Pit latrines at Harugongo primary school have been constructed, one for boys with 4 stanzas and another one for girls with 5 stanzas and have costed the sub county 28 million shillings.
The secretary for production said they have received about 1,200 coffee seedlings, 4 heifers that were given to 4 groups, 53 goats that were supplied in 2 zones and a diary machine which is expected to start operation soon in the financial year 2017/2018, all received under government program of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). Hon Mugisa however, acknowledged challenges under the OWC program like late delivery of seeds/seedlings, supply of seeds that are not requested by the citizens in the sub county, low quantity supply, poor quality seeds/seedlings, etc all affecting increased house hold income as the goal of the program. Among the plans shared is construction of Busaiga-Wanka road, Kanyankonko-Nyantabooma-Mukagoro road, completing Wamikira bridge and lobbying for culverts to support in the construct of these roads.
Listeners were given chance to participate live in the program through call ins and Sms platforms; ‘’We were told in one of the community meetings that our leaders were going to work on Busaiga-Wanka road but up to-date there is no sign of it being constructed, can the leaders in studio explain why?’’ said Sunday Tadeo a caller from Harugongo, ‘’I want to know why Nyakabira road construction has stopped at the stream instead of completing it’’ asked George Kamara a caller from Nyakabira village in Harugongo sub county’’, ‘’I want to appreciate ToroDev for the financial support in her programs and the leaders from Harugongo sub county for sharing with the citizens, if all sub counties were doing so, people would be informed of development programs and would be owning these government programs. I want to encourage all leaders to use the available platforms of ToroDev to inform citizens of the on-going developments in their communities’’, said Mr.Asiimwe Stephen the District Resident Commissioner (RDC)-Kabarole district through a phone call.
We thank all our funders and partners for the financial and technical support that have kept our people informed through the use of ICT platforms.
