Following its auspicious launch by the Chief Justice Hon. Benjamin Odoki, ACFODE and KAS through the project, “Action for Strengthening Good Governance and Accountability” begun their campaign to ensure that the “Democracy Torch” is truly embraced for the purpose for which it was created. Throughout the months of August and September 2012, the Torch, which is being passed through the 11 districts of project implementation, will be received by district leadership as a symbol for mobilizing citizens and leaders to draw their attention to issues of democratic governance and accountability in the districts. “Democracy Fairs” are also being conducted in the districts in order to facilitate interaction between leaders and citizens.
During these fairs, ACFODE and KAS as well as other stakeholders dealing with democracy, good governance and accountability in the district will display a wide range of educative materials that will inform citizens about the concepts of democracy, good governance and accountability. The “Democracy Fairs” and reception of the “Democracy Torch” are part of a campaign for popularizing and demystifying democratic principles, good governance and accountability at the local level. So far “Democracy Fairs” and the reception of the “Democracy Torch” have been successfully conducted in the districts of Jinja, Kiboga, Mbarara, Masaka, Kabale and Kisoro. Below are some highlights:
In Jinja, the Torch was received on 17th August 2012 and it was welcomed by the District Speaker who led a procession through the City Center accompanied by a brass band, motor bike riders popularly known as “Boda bodas” and representatives from Women’s Groups in the district. The procession marched from Dunlop to the Mayor’s Gardens at the Jinja Municipal Council Headquarters which was the venue of the “Democracy Fair.” The event was attended by the various political and non political actors in the district who included among others; the Vice Chairperson L.C.V, The Mayor of Jinja, Councilors, religious leaders, other civil society actors as well as exhibitors such as Uganda Human Rights Commission, Women Rights Initiative, Uganda Red Cross Society and PEFO. The business community was also represented by private institutions such as Orient Bank.
An equally receptive District Leadership welcomed the “Democracy Torch” in Kiboga District on 23rd August 2012 in an informative and lively “Democracy Fair” which was presided over by the LCV Chairperson, Kiboga District and was attended by 14 of the 19 District Councilors, the District Inspector of Police as well as Civil Society Organisations such as the Kiboga District NGO/CBO Forum, Kiboga Epi Centre Rural Bank, Action for Rural Women’s Empowerment, ALUWE Life Club and FOWEPLACK/Democracy for all Children.
On 29th and 31st August, the Torch was then passed on to the Districts of Mbarara and Masaka respectively and with no less zeal, the Project Team proceeded to the Districts of Kabale and Kisoro where even more enthusiasm to embrace these two activities under the project was exhibited by District leadership, civil society as well as other community members.
In Kabale for example, over 300 people participated in the ''Democracy Fair” which was held on Tuesday 4th September 2012 at the Kabale Stadium. In attendance was; the Vice Chairperson LC V Hon. Mary Bebwajuba who presided over the event, The District Speaker; Hon. Pastori Twinomuhangi who led the marching procession through the District as the Torch was being exhibited to the residents of Kabale, Secretary for Education and Health; Hon. Loy Zikampereza, Chairman LC III; Mr. Sentoro Byamugisha. The Police Standard Unit of the District was also represented by the D/ASP Jack Mugisha. The event culminated in the reception of the Torch by the various stakeholders in democracy promotion who collectively vowed to work together towards deepening democracy in Kabale District.
Kisoro District also registered a significant turn up for the fair as residents flocked the Mayor’s Gardens where the event was held to interact with the district leaders who were present. The District Speaker Hon. Amos Hakizimana moderated an open dialogue between the citizens and the leaders which brought to light issues such as the need to create mechanisms that will protect watchdogs such as the media and civil society actors working in democracy promotion in the district. Also emphasized was the need to continue in the fight to bring an end to sexualized violence in Kisoro District. Students who were present for the event made this appeal to the District Police leadership who were also in attendance. It was resolved that all stake holders including ACFODE which runs a project specifically addressing this issue in the district needed to aggressively work together to ensure that this problem is purged from the district.
Over the next 3 weeks the “Democracy Fairs” and reception of the “Democracy Torch” will take place in the districts of Arua, Lira, Pader, Soroti and Pallisa.
Watch this space for regular updates on these activities as well as others under the project, “Action for Strengthening Good Governance and Accountability”
Compiled by:
Sheila Kinaheirwe
Project Officer, ACFODE
Under the EU Supported Project; “Action for Strengthening Good Governance and Accountability.”
Email: acfode.kinaheirwe@gmail.com
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