Young Activists challenging Bad Governance and Poor Service Delivery in Kumi
Statistics in Uganda indicates that one of the development challenges that have continued to affect the participation of young people in ending bad governance and poverty is the non-involvement of young people in leadership, decision making processes and matters pertaining them and the development of their country and yet they are the highest population in the country, standing at 75%.
Rebecca is a classic case on transformation because of empowerment. Young People across Uganda have been empowered through PET Training, social movements approach under the umbrella of Activista Networks. They are now able to carry out the monitoring of public service delivery and demand for improved Service Delivery from the duty bearers.
My name is Amongin Rebecca, and I am an activist who lives in Angopet cell, Bazar Ward South Division in Kumi Municipality. I am 32 years old, married to Mr. Bwire Benard Ogutta, and blessed with two children, a girl, and a boy. ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU) built my capacity in Public Expenditure Tracking (PET), Social Movements Building, and Organizational Policing. I participated in the Community Immersion Program with AAIU and learned how Policies negatively and positively affect organizations. I also attended a community Barraza activity on service delivery in Atutur Sub County, organized by AAU partner Teso Anti-Corruption Coalition (TAC). I am strengthened and empowered by the ActionAid. I can now speak for the vulnerable groups of people in my society; I have gained better communication skills and can articulate with the duty bearers. I have learned how to listen to people and be heard.
In addition, through the empowerment of ActionAid, I started the Kumi Citizen Network for Development, a Community-based Organization (CBO), through my initiatives in the Kumi district. The CBO focuses on governance, education, health, and climate change. As Community Activists, we were able to advocate for improved service delivery in education, health, and Sanitation. We have achieved the following: garbage has been managed around Kumi central market with our constant engagements with Municipal authorities. Reduced animal loitering in Kumi town has been reported, and the administration of Kumi central market has improved.
There has been improvement in drug stock-out in Atutur Hospital, advocated for restoration of the X-ray machine and the Incinerator in Atutur Hospital up to the Ministry level while working with Women Member of Parliament. In this regard, during the commemoration of 2024 World Hepatitis Day in August in Kumi, the state minister for Health and General Duties committed to ensuring that the X-ray and Incinerator machines are reinstalled back to their functional state by the end of September 2024.
The district administration completed classroom blocks at Agule Primary School in Kumi Sub County and constructed a pit latrine at Asinge Primary School in Kumi Sub County.
