BWERAMULE SUB COUNTY DECIDES ON HOW TO RISE LOCAL REVENUE COLLECTION

Bweramule is one of the Sub Counties that makes up Ntoroko it has a population of 1,122 people and most of them pastoralists with a few practicing crop agriculture and fishing. The Sub County has eight (08) crossing points from Congo to Uganda which the locals use for their businesses. It also has 04 parishes of Rukora, Bweramule, Kayanja and Haibale.

On 13^th July 2016 the Council sitting presented an issue of how to rise local revenue for development and a motion was raised by Hon Namara Joselyne a youth counselor representing Bweramule parish that all animals (cows and goats) crossing from Congo to Uganda through the landing sites be taxed.

The motion was seconded by Tusiime Robina a female councilor representing Bugando parish. it was suggested that technical team designs a serialized receipts named’ Bweramule development fund with pre-printed costs for the kind of animal to be taxed and be managed by a different team from that of cross points. This will help in separating the collection of different funds but also reduce on corruption tendencies as people can’t charge over or below.

This was welcomed by the Chairperson LC III Hon Gamukama Willium who said that; animals which cross the SubCounty sometimes come with diseases which infect and or affect their animals making losses to the citizens, spoils their land, destroy social services and facilities in place and yet they are not charged for any damages.

The meeting was convened by the speaker Hon. Asaba Kyomya representing Rwamabale parish and the Chairperson Hon Gamukama Willium with all council members present and the community.

The photo below shows how in sometimes animals destroy the social services or and facilities in Bweramule Sub County.

 

A cow drinking from water facility meant for human beings at   Bweramule S/C head quarters  

Compiled by 

Margaret K. Kabasinguzi Mugabi

Programs Manager

RIDE AFRICA 

Peaceful co-existence desk

Parents tipped on child upbringing for good school grades

It was during parents and teachers general meetings on 8th July 2016 at Kyanya SDA Primary School,  29th June 2016 at Kitswamba SDA, 15th July 2016 at Nkaiga and 14th July 2016 Ibuga primary schools where cluster meeting for parents (class per class) were encouraged to improve the performance of the pupils in each class and strengthen the relationship between  pupils, parents and teachers.  

Change of corporal punishments to alternative forms of punishments which can positively contribute on the child’s well up bringing like sweeping the compound mopping the floor, reading a topic for the class will build the child’s responsibility more than the punishment both at home and school. Parents also agreed to buy uniforms for their children for better identification in the society.

Prepared by:
Asiimwe Pamella
Project Officer
VAC Project

Teachers Learn from their Peers

Teachers of schools participating in the project ‘community-led mechanisms to prevent violence against children and adolescents in Kasese District, Rwenzori Region’ benefited from the exchange visits around the district. School tours were carried out by the visiting teachers to expose them to best practices of hygiene and sanitation in toilets, kitchen, class rooms, changing room for girls and the compound through having tip-taps, brooms, rubbish pits, basins and jerricans.

The hosting schools’ senior man and woman lectured the visiting teachers on how violence against children can best be prevented. Ibuga primary school was visited on 30^th June 2016 and emphasis was put on provision of lunch to the pupils, Daily attendance of teachers at school, adoption of other punishments which are not corporal and giving a skill of reusable sanitary pads to the pupils so as to promote good concentration in class, promote hygiene and prevent girl child drop outs.

Cluster meetings were also emphasized between the cultivators and pastoralists during the Parents general meetings and teachers were advised to choose either to be CHEATERS or TEACHERS.

Prepared by:
Asiimwe Pamella
Project Officer
VAC Project
30th June and 1st July 2016

Kitswamba SDA Primary School Gets Urinals and Washrooms

Privacy is critical for retaining teenage girls in school especially during their menstrual periods. However a single latrine was being used by boys, girls and teachers at Kitswamba SDA primary school. RIDE AFRICA worked with the school and put up urinals and washrooms for boys so that they can be separated from girls in order to promote hygiene and sanitation as well as have privacy among the different genders in the school. 

RIDE AFRICA has further offered financial support to the school to complete a latrine that will enable the separation of boys, girls and teachers. This will go a long way in retaining children in school especially during the adolescence and teenage period.

Asiimwe Pamella
Project Officer
VAC Project

Children Call on Leaders to Protect Them from Violence

Pupils of Ibuga Primary School, Kasese district have called on their leaders to protect them from the rampant violence against children. This was during the Rwenzori regional Day of the African Child Celebrations (DAC) celebrations that took place at Itojo Primary school in Ntoroko district on Thursday 16^th June 2016 which was organized under the theme ‘conflicts and crisis in Rwenzori region, protect all children’s rights’.

Prior to the celebrations, on Wednesday15^th June 2016, a community dialogue meeting was held at Karugutu Town Council hall. This involved local leaders, religious and cultural leaders, local government representatives, children and community members. The leaders resolved to work with all the relevant stakeholders in order to eliminate all forms of violence against children in schools, communities and homes.

On Thursday 16^th June 2016 the regional DAC celebrations took place at Itojo Primary school, Karugutu Sub-County, Ntoroko district. Organized under the auspices of Ntoroko district local government, the celebrations attracted the participation of RIDE AFRICA, RICNET, Good Hope Foundation, KALI, SOS Children’s Village, World Vision among others.

The celebrations offered an opportunity to children and other stakeholders to develop strategies for addressing the rampant conflict in the area like tribal conflicts, land related conflicts between the cultivators and pastoralists, rape and defilement. It was noted that due to these conflicts and crises, children’s rights have been ignored in homes, schools and communities at large.  Emphasis was put on the importance of creating and maintaining a safe and conducive environment for children to grow, develop and mature properly during the period of childhood by the parents, teachers, local leaders and community at large. “…if not now, then when....?”

Prepared by:
Asiimwe Pamella
Project Officer
VAC Project
16th June 2016