Rural radio debates are held mainly to record the issues of women living in hard to reach areas. This is to allow women and youths from the remotest areas participate in the democratic engagements of their country. Also contribute in following up newly elected duty bearers and demand for accountability for improved essential service delivery in their sub counties.
The main reason for conducting the debates is give Women the first priority due to the challenges they face while participating in open democratic discussions,” Said Amanya Sheila M&E officer ToroDev during the rural radio.
On 14th /2/2019 the debate was conducted in Rwabaganda in Bugaki sub county, Mwenge north Kyenjojo district fifty two people attended. Out of fifty two (52), forty six (46) were women and others were male youths. Duty bearers were reached like LCI and LCIII to respond to the issues raised by women. The issues were broadcast live on Jubilee radio during ToroDev supported “Listeners forum” program on Sundays 17th /FEB/ 2019 starting from 8:00-10:00pm for the duty bearer’s intervention.
The following are the key issues shared by women and youths during the rural debate;
“Our greatest problem is lack of clean and safe water. This has been a challenge for four (4) years and duty bearers have not paid much attention to solve this problem. We have one borehole serving over 25 villages and this has forced people to get water from swamps and it is dangerous to their health. We call up leaders to get for us more boreholes”. Said Kabachwamba Annet a resident of Rwabaganda Bugaki sub county Kyenjojo district.
“We only access medical services in Mukunyu HCIII which is located many miles from our village. This makes it costly. In the health centre nurses are few and there no enough drugs and this makes our life harder. We request health management committee members to work hand in hand with DHO Kyenjojo district and other duty bearers to lobby for a health centre in Rwabaganda village and to equip village healthy teams with enough drugs”. Said Tibananuka Jane during the rural radio debate in Rwabaganda Bugaki sub county Kyenjojo district.
“There is high school dropout in Rwabaganda village due to lack of a secondary. I call upon leaders to lobby for a secondary school in our area”. Said Kamakune Beatrice a citizen from Rwabaganda Bugaki sub county Kyenjojo district.
“Our roads are impassable during rainy season. This has negatively affected farming and other businesses. We request duty bearers to put Murram in our roads especially from Rwabaganda to Muchwamba road and to also work on Muchwamba Bridge”. Said Topista Jane a resident of Rwabaganda in Bugaki Sub County.
“We request leaders to provide us with clean and safe water. We are using dirty water due to lack of bore holes” Said Kabachwamba Jane during the rural radio debate.
“We have not seen any positive result from operation wealth creation program due to poor quality supplied to us. The coordinators do not consult farmers on what they want. Operation wealth creation coordinators should first consult farmers before supplying us with seeds and animals”. Said Kwikiriza Gorret during the debate.
“Leaders have failed to listen to people’s problems, many have not come on ground to hold meetings and take our concerns. We are also waiting for them during campaigns we shall revenge”. Said Katorogo Andrew chairperson LC1 Rwabaganda.
He added that Kagorogoro primary school it’s the only school around but it lacks, teachers, of staff quarters and limited inspection. We call up on DEO Kyenjojo plus other technocrats to improve on education services in Kagorogoro primary school.
“We request government to work hand in hand with district duty bearers to put in place a vocational institution in our area such that it can help to give our pupils handful skills”. Said Kabatalesa Janipher during the rural debate.
During the talkshow listeners also shared their concerns and these included;
“Duty bearers have failed to give citizens views a priority that’s why sectors such as roads, education and health are still alarming|”. Said Rodgers from Kitumba Kabarole district.
Duty bearers should fulfill whatever they pledged to do in their manifestos or we shall not vote them again|”. Said Charles Mugume Ntoroko road Kyenjojo district.
