INFORMATION OFFICERS’ REFLECTION MEETING ENDS SUCESSFULY

RIC-NET on Friday 20th January 2012 had a reflection meeting of information officers from all information centers/points in the Rwenzori region. These centers include the following; Kabarole Information Centre (KIC), Bwera Information Centre (BIC), Cemuliki Information Centre (CIC), Kyegegwa Rural Information Centre (KRIC),Busongora Rural Information Centre (BRIC), Mwenge Rural Information Centre (MRIC), and Kamwenge Community Information Centre (KACOICE). Each center was at least represented by either one or two officers.

Objectives of the reflection meeting were to learn from experience and good practices of information centers / points; find out issues/complaints arising from communities that shall form a basis for community dialogue meetings to engage leaders and community members for social accountability. The members freely shared information on activities they have been doing which was quit interesting. A number of issues emerged and respective officers concerned were asked to make further investigations and gather reliable data to be considered in the future for community dialogue meetings. Most of the issues/complaints raised in the region were concerning inadequate water supply, food security, education, NAADS, and inadequate medical services.

A number of success stories were shared, for instance, in Kyarusandara sub-county-Kasese district, there was a problem of water shortage which had put the lives of residents at stake; BRIC held community meeting with the sub-county leaders and demanded for clean and regular water supply. The community members pledged to participate in digging trenches. Leaders and community members worked jointly to arrest water crisis in the area. As per now the people in the sub-county are enjoy clean water. Most information officers also reported that they have been collecting sub-county work plans, and approved budgets and sharing it with the community members through public notice boards and meetings which has accelerated vigilance of the members to critically monitor development activities in their areas for social accountability. Most information officers reported that they had collected and submitted a number of telephone numbers to RIC-NET head office to be entered in the bulky sms data base, one of the tools RIC-NET uses to collect and disseminate information to the general public.

The members enjoyed nice but short reflection, as the day came to an end when they still wished to continue the discussion. In his closing remarks, the Executive Director, Mr. John M. Silco, encouraged the members to work hard and fulfill all the duties assigned and report accordingly. He urged the members to always design their work plan according to the proposal and contract made in order to avoid misuse of funds and ensure that any spending is in line with the project being implemented and they clearly defend it.