By Sophan Niwamanya
apearlnews.com
The Literacy Action and Development Agency (LADA) has launched Participatory Action Research in Rubanda district in a move aimed at improving service delivery.
Some of the participants from Rubanda district decried the poor state of roads that have turned into ditches, bridges that break down, and health centers that need urgent attention just like schools, among other aspects but lack a common platform to discuss these issues,
David Mugurusi, the senior Program officer for Twaweza, speaking during the launch at the Volcano Hotel in Rubanda district, said that the aim of the initiative is to bring together the authorities, leaders, and citizens in their communities and empower citizens to be able to address issues affecting them in their areas without relying on the government.
Arthur Mbabazi, Executive Director at Literacy Action and Development Agency (LADA), noted that the project is in five districts (Kamuli, Kole, Kyenjojo, Namutumba, and Rubanda), improving implementation of the Access to Information Act.
He revealed that they prioritize community problems and seek redress from respective duty bearers in a move to reduce problems among the communities in Rubanda, such as poor roads, a lack of medicine in health centers, and clean water, among other challenges.
The Rubanda District Deputy Resident Commissioner, Eric Ssewandigi, revealed that they accepted the participatory action research concept in the district because they envisage it as an avenue to liaise between different stakeholders, including the leaders and communities, in all undertakings and adopt it in methods of work to track the new parish development model intended to lift communities welfare.
He vowed to close all NGOs in Rubanda district that are operating without registering with the district. He said that it’s quite unfortunate that some of the organizations are operating in the district illegally.
Twaweza is working with the Literacy Action and Development Agency (LADA), the local government authority, and residents in Rubanda to deepen the partnership between citizens and authorities aimed at improving services, enhancing local government capacity, and strengthening citizen participation.
ENDZ//
