Senior Reporter
Insufficient allocation of resources by the government to both technocrats and the political team in local governments has resulted in poor collaboration and awareness campaigns regarding government programs. Consequently, this has led to a surge in gender-based violence, exacerbating poverty and domestic violence issues.
The Sub County Chairperson of Kagongi, Mr. Twine Evarist, disclosed these challenges during a press interview. He highlighted that Kagongi sub county only began accessing community road network opening during the tenures of former Mbarara district chairpersons Fred Ibabaza Kamugira and Yaguma Wilberforce Rutashokwa. Mr. Twine explained that, historically, due to financial illiteracy, the population of Kagongi resorted to unconventional banking methods, such as storing money in pots and under pillows, lacking proper financial facilities.
He called on the Mbarara district leadership, particularly the district community and commercial offices, to intervene promptly. He emphasized the need to implement the Parish Development Model (PDM) program and intensify mobilization and sensitization efforts to bring about a change in mindset among the people for effective socioeconomic transformation and sustainable development.
Mr. Twine expressed gratitude to the Mbarara Archdiocese, specifically its Caritas project, for their commendable work in uplifting the socioeconomic status of people in Kibingo and Kyandahi parishes. He also acknowledged the support of the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO), an NGO that is aiding 184 households containing 510 beneficiaries through skill development programs aimed at enhancing household incomes.
Kagongi’s Sub County Chief, Mr. Ngabirano Vincent, attributed the high levels of poverty in the area to low levels of formal education, exacerbated by mass land fragmentation leading to domestic violence and increased poverty, coupled with food insecurity due to low production.
Mr. Ngabirano stressed the need for enhanced capacity building from the government to educate the masses on financial banking and savings, particularly with the introduction of the new government program, the Parish Development Model (PDM). He highlighted that improved financial management and banking education could encourage people to prioritize their children’s education, reduce alcohol consumption, address gender-based violence, and combat poverty with a vision for development.
However, he also raised concerns about the challenges posed by the duplication of services from non-governmental organizations that enter the sub county without involving the sub county leadership in mapping efforts, hindering equitable distribution of services.
