The Journey to Ssese Islands, Kalangala District

No pot holes but we need life jackets: Jimmy aboard MV Kalangala

Whereas we talk of potholes, I wonder why we  forget one of the other sectors in the trasport sector, of course its the water transport. I had not travelled by the MV Kalangala till when i got an opportunity to join FHRI in Kalangala to facilitate a workshop on sensitizing the communities and district leadership on the Neighborhood Assembly concept. The journey from the Rwenzori Mountains to Kampala was the usual stories of potholes, then through to Entebbe beating trafic jam. Now, after boarding the ferry the language changed from potholes to life jackets. Ofcourse no life jacket was provided it was another experience of how our friends who ply the water transport  also have a different language. I want to share my travel experience and the efforts government has done to take services nearer to the people. Indeed, during the trip to Kalangala, alot of questions were lingering my mind, do we need more districts or improved services! While I flipped through the newvision of Wed. 19 September, more scandles had been unearthed by the Police investigating the pension scandles of Ugx 63Bn. Now that reminded me of the Ugandan rich class who accumulate wealth by hook or crook. Boarding MV Kalangala, shows how somebody put service above self. The question of social accountability was answered and if other players could emulate those who bothered to provide the MV Kalangala service, then we can think of transforming Uganda to another level in the next 20 years.



All was not roses as from Ssese Islands to Bufumira Islands, the ferry was a past tense, we were ushered into a boat in real life, we had never travelled in a boat. We all said our last prayers but with hope we reached our distination after 30Minutes. On the water live in the air, but this time around with lfe jackets. The experienced team briefed us about ettiquette on water and to keep our life jackets on. It was another talk of the day while we kept comparing transport on water, potholes and bringing services nearer to the people. My concern was, which sector needs immediate attention. People who complain of potholes or those who need life jackets.  If we were given to make a budget while in Kalangala the attention could be on life jackets and improving the services.



 

Rose (Right and Jimmy) aboard a boat to Bufumira Island. Chris (DGAP) was on the same boat

As development workers, expect to reach all categories of people, it takes courage to board a boat while many people would have asked, is the boat insured? but what about those who use the travel without life jackets, arent they part of the citizens that we claim to speak for? I apploud the district leadership of Kalangala for taking a risk by accepting to work and serve our people. Rose of FHRI, has shown what is meant by working with the vulnerable groups..

Thanks

Jimmy and Rose
In the field, Kalangala District