FACE THE CITIZENS CITIZENS MANIFESTO LAUNCHED IN KASESE DISTRICT

KALI and Good Hope with support from HIVOS and OXFAM- NOVIB launched the citizens’ manifesto. This interface has created a plat form ( Ekimeza) for all the dully elected MPs and LC V chair persons to interface with the purposively selected citizens and CSOs from Kasese district before the official launch of campaigns on the 16^th December 2010. This citizens manifesto is the first of its kind to be launched in Kasese at Kasese Catholic Social Hall.

The launch was broadcasted live on all the two local radio stations, Kasese Guide Radio and Messiah radio.

Gwada Ogot from the citizens’ coalition and Patrick Kamara from NTV moderated the function.

The NTV crew team and the local media in Kasese district have pledged to popularize the manifesto. The listeners out side (callers) were allowed to enrich the Ekimeza programme through calling and reacting to the Citizens manifesto issues.

Through out the interface, the voters were able to put to the candidates to task to respond to their concerns. Below are the issues of concern from the citizens per constituency.

Kasese Municipality

1. Nyamwamba division is faced with the problem of floods how are going to control the menace?

Busongora South

1. There is a problem of safe water in Katwe- Kabatoro Town council, how are you going to address this problem?

2. People of Karusandara are regarded as squatters on the land, what are going to ensure that the people get land titles? (They live on reserve land.)

Busongora North

Muhindo David

1. There is a serious water problem in Kitswamba, how are the candidates going to solve the problem?

Kyarumba-Bukonzo East

1. There are increased costs of Health services in Kagondo hospital despite government subsidizing services. What does subsidizing of health services help the people and how are going to end the problem?

Bukonzo West

1. How are you going to address the problem of scarcity of water in Nyakiyumbu Sub county?

2. Bwera hospital is incapacitated when it comes to number of personnel to run it. How are you going to address this problem to ensure that the number of doctors and nurses is adequate?

3. There is a motion to divide the district into three, what is your take on this?

Through out the dialogue, the candidates responded to the issues raised. The issue of water and division of the district was prominent through out the debate.

List of candidates in attendance

No.	Name of candidate	Sex	Party Affiliation	Constituency
1	Hon. Bwambale Yokasi Bihande	M	FDC	Bukonzo East
2	Mr. Businge Police	M	NRM	Bukonzo East
3	Mr. Mbahimba James	M	NRM	Kasese Municipacility
4	Mr. Bwambale Musa Syahuka Jr	M	FDC	Kasese Municipality
5	Mr. Mujungu Gideon	M	Independent	Kasese Municipality
6	Mr.Mbaguta Ronald	M	Independent	Kasese Municipality
7	Mr. Ategeka B.	M	Independent	Kasese Municipality
8	Mr. Mbaju Jackson	M	FDC	Busongora South
9	Mr. Kahungu Philmon	M	PPP	Bukonzo East
10	Mr. Isingoma Raymond	M	UFA	Kasese Municipality
11	Mr. Musyenene Umar Musabingwa	M	JEMA	Kasese Municipality

Concern

· Representation of women candidates was non existent therefore issues concerning women missed out

· Candidates for LCV seat were all absent hence the views on issues affecting the district missed out

· The dialogues was too brief that most issues were not addressed

Issues of concern

Inadequate access Safe Water

High costs of health services/Theft of drugs

Environment-Floods

Division of the district

By Godfrey at KALI