INFORMATION CENTRES EXHIBIT MORE RESULTS.

In addition to the many results RIC-NET and Busongora Information Centre (BRIC) have registered in the recent times, like promoting the use of ICTs, strengthening computer literacy, reducing crop pests and diseases through plant clinics, and improving the reading environment, culture and attitude towards community libraries through the community library at the Information Centre respectively; RIC-NET on 09/04/13 also learnt that the several information points under BRIC had since last year till date engaged in various social accountability activities. 

And these activities had accordingly paved way for improvement of service delivery in their respective areas of operation.

RIC-NET Director setting the climate for the meeting.

During the meeting held at BRIC on 09/04/13, members from the information centres present shared some of these interventions;

According to one Kisembo Obadiah from Rwesande information centre, the information centre had monitored the performance of the NAADs program in the sub county and found out that the sub county had this season supplied maize seeds to the farmers after the planting season. These findings were shared with the Sub county chief and the NAADs coordinator who are yet to meet the beneficiaries in a community meeting to explain and also apologize to the farmers about this mishap.

In addition to this, the point also appealed to the sub county to improve the road network in the area with particular focus to the road connecting Rwesande to the main road; accordingly the road was worked on last year. All deep potholes were covered and the road graded making it easier for the community to connect to the outside world. Meanwhile the point also advocated for more health workers at Rwesande HCIV and for an ambulance, all these have been addressed as the HC received over 6 nurses and an ambulance between October and March this year.

On behalf of Muhokya information point the Chairperson Mr.Tushabomwe Saveri revealed that they had been able to accomplish several things with and for the community among which included securing office space at the sub county headquarters as a token of appreciation for their good works and relations with the sub county, starting up an evening adult literacy class at the sub county for the community; this is aimed at curbing the illiteracy levels in Muhokya Sub County. In addition to this, the Information point sensitized persons living with HIV/AIDs (PLHAs) in Kahendero about the importance of taking ARVs. Reports indicate that these people had lost hope in life and ceased to see the relevance in taking medication. However after the sensitization meetings, over 30 patients resumed their medication and are now in better health carrying on their duties.

Samson sharing at the meeting.

In Bugoye Sub County, Bugoye information centre Chairperson Mr. Ndaleghana Samson also informed the meeting that they had devoted all their efforts to educating the farmer community about the management of banana bacterial wilt which has for long frustrated farmers’ yields. As a result of this intervention farmers have finally understood and accepted to cut down the affected banana plants as the first step to managing this disease. On the other hand those who embraced the information earlier have seen great improvement in their plantations and yields. Apparently banana bacterial wilt is gradually becoming a thing of the past in the sub county courtesy of Bugoye information centre.

Isemusoro sharing at the meeting.

In a related development, Mr. Isemusoro Chairperson Kirembe information point in Muhokya Sub County also shared how their interventions had seen to better quality coffee, increased yields and returns through bulk marketing. Mr. Isemusoro revealed that the centre staff read the books on the management and control of coffee pests and disease received from BRIC and applied the knowledge therein. And as a result the coffee farmers were able to grow and manage their coffee better and mobilize themselves into a group which was able to collect two tones of coffee and sell to great lakes coffee company; Great lakes is known for buying only quality coffee. This turns out to be quite impressive because unlike in the past the farmers were able to produce better quality coffee and to also determine how much coffee they produced in a season.

These among others are the case stories that the information centre representatives shared during the meeting whose aim was to share what each has been doing in their respective sub counties. The meeting also aimed at discussing a strategy of how to strengthen the network’s social accountability interventions in the district of Kasese.

It was agreed that members should embrace proper documentation and reporting of their interventions for further advocacy and sharing. RIC-NET secretariat pledged to support the different points in this area whenever called upon.

Participants pose for a group photo after the meeting at BRIC.