ESTONIAN GOVERNEMENT SPEARHEADS ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE STOP SERVICE CENTERS IN UGANDA

By

Owen Baluku Alton

The officials were last Thursday speaking during a meeting at Central Division Hall in Kasese town where they were accompanied by officials from other service Uganda one stop service centers from Gulu,Jinja,Entebbe and Mbale.

Sarah Lwanga Nuliuti,the Principal Management Analyst from Ministry of public service said “the team from different pilot centers came to Kasese to benchmark because as one of the five pilot centers,Kasese has moved faster than any other service Uganda one stop centers.

“The team for different Pilot centers including Entebbe,Ministry of Public Service,Jinja,Gulu and Mbale came to Kasese for benchmarking simply because it is one of the centers that is moving faster than any other apart from the ministry of public service that was launched in January 2019.”

Sarah says other pilot centers have not been moving at the same pace with Kasese due to political,infrastructural and financial challenges.

However,she says: “though Kasese faces the same challenges,it is moving faster and is being looked at the model service Uganda center”.She adds “that’s why other centers came here to benchmark,share experiences of the story of Kasese,learn from them,but also ensure that there are those good practices that they will learn from the model one stop service center and take back to their service Uganda centers.”

Lwanga underscores the importance of benchmarking as a move that “helps in interaction, to share knowledge and understanding the concept of OSSCs even further.”

Sarah,who is a team member on coordination for the establishment and operationalisation of service Uganda said Municipal officers such as town clerks,human resource officers,CDOs,can do strategy work in their offices but that routine work like inquiries and filling of forms can be handled at the service center without requiring the departmental heads.

Kalle Sepp,the Head of Estonian Delegation says it is a great opportunity for Estonia to cooperate with Uganda,noting that Tallin Development and Training center.

He announced that the project that started in 2016 will come to an end on 31 June 2019 after being a success and that the Foreign Affairs ministry of Estonia did a good job in funding it.

He calls on OSSCs to emphasize good customer care services noting that in Tallin,Estonia,it is one of the best ways of providing services to the public.

Sepp notes that about 2000 different services are provided to the people,while 573 other services are also provided via the internet (ICT) so that youth and the elderly can easily receive them conveniently.

He notes that taxes are completed online in under 5 minutes,and that  99 percent of the Estonia’s public services are available on the web 24 hours a day and nearly one-third of citizens vote via the internet.

Asked about renewal of the project so that other districts can also benefit,Mr Sepp noted that the project will be terminated first before they think of the second phase.However,he says it will depend on whether Estonia’s ministry of foreign affairs agrees to continue funding the project.

He revealed that Lira,Arua,Hoima and Rukungiri municipalities are also requesting for one stop service centers.

Sarah Lwanga,however noted that renewal of the project will depend on a memorandum of understanding between the permanent secretaries from ministry of public service,ICT and Estonian government and look at the lifespan of the project.

Lwanga reveals that government will push for other projects as a reform and government will also continue supporting and establishing other centers in a phased manner so that services can reach its people.

Jana Vital,a member of the Estonian Technical Committee for the operationalisation of OSSCs in Uganda said “it takes a lot of team work,commitment,trust and a supporting shoulder to move on together towards one come goal,which is not competition but offering a service for ones’ country.”

She urges staff at OSSCs to be the face of public service and asked them to handle difficult customers with care and in a creative way so that they don’t go away. Improve customer satisfaction by delivering services based on customer needs,expectations and preferences.

The Municipal Principal Commercial Officer,Kasese,Mr Godfrey Bwambale who is the center team leader said they offer a comprehensive range of services at the OSSC that include payroll management,distribution of payslips,payroll updates,salary complaints,processing building plans,operation wealth creation,URA,cooperatives/SACCO formation,Uganda registration services bureau and NSSF services.

Mr Bwambale says the service center partners with ministry of public service and Estonian government that are handy in ensuring that the center provides services. He notes that “it is a reform that aims at transferring service delivery in public service through establishing of service Uganda centers as a response to the current increased demand  world over to focus on government reforms on  citizen-centric delivery centers”.

He also noted that the center had reduced time used in travel to FortPortal in Kabarole district from 75KM or 3 hours to just a few minutes.

The Kasese Municipal deputy mayor,Mr Peter Baluku who represented the mayor his worship Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku said nearness of the OSSC is helping public to get timely service provision because all services are accessed under one roof.

While closing the meeting,Mr Peter Baluku thanked ministry of public service for selecting Kasese as a regional center and said “I was supposed to travel to Fort Portal to get a TIN Number but got the service here in Kasese………..and it is really helping many people.”

Peter who encouraged staff at OSSCs to have good customer care,called on all centers in the country to learn from each other so that they can improve where they have challenges.

Several representatives from other OSSCs gave their testimonies and all pointed out the challenge of lack of funding,space,furniture and resources.

They also pointed out that municipal departmental heads operate from OSSCs due to lack of office space at Municipal level.

Mrs Jane Akwero,the Human Resource Officer Gulu Municipal council and in charge Gulu One stop service center says they are only four months old but there are so far three desks at the center that handle customer care issues,pension,payroll management and TIN registration and the lands desk.

Akwero says the center has minimized complaints of delayed pension payments.

She notes that municipality authorities have budgeted 8million shs for the center .

Samuel Mali,the Principal Commercial Officer and of Mbale Municipality One Stop Service Center,which is second best model center says the district is home to about 10 University campuses whereby the students visit the center for academic purposes.

Mr Mali says the center also handles the contentious 1972 Departed Asians Property case and hopes that it will soon be settled.

The vision for service Uganda is accessible,efficient and affordable public services while the Mission is to provide a comprehensive range of integrated services.The One Stop-Service Center is a center that provides integrated services and information from government to people, as part of a comprehensive strategy to ease stress and strain of accessing public and social services to better their lives.One does not have to be referred elsewhere.

One Stop-Service Center (OSSC) is one of the government's initiative aimed at bringing effectiveness, efficiency,transparency and accountability in governance.

Kasese service center was early this year launched by the permanent secretaries from ministry of public service and ICT.

Ends

New dawn for Kasese - NRM, FDC unite for development

By John B. Thawite

The main rival political parties in Kasese district, Western Uganda, have resolved to shelf their bickering for the sake of rebranding the district and harnessing the huge investment potential of the area.

They made the resolution on Saturday at a day-long meeting brokered by the national chief coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation and  President Yoweri Museveni’s younger brother, Caleb Akandwanaho, aka Salim Saleh.

It was co-chaired by Catherine Muhindo, FDC  Vice chairperson and district secretary for production and Fred Businge, the acting chairperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement(NRM), Fred Businge.

The participants, numbering more than 250, also included religious and cultural leaders, the private sector, representatives of the district elder’s forum, and leaders of various NRM and FDC structures.

Endorse Shs119.550b investment plan

At the meeting, held at the district multipurpose hall opposite the Kasese aerodrome, a technical team, headed by the district planner, Alex Masereka presented a District Investment Plan, worth Shs119.550b, which they all unanimously endorsed.

The plan, whose goal is to propel the district into the middle income status by 2021,  prioritises  the exploitation of minerals, tourism, the abundant rivers for irrigation, lakes, crater lakes and the flat agricultural land.

It also aims at investing in the coffee, cotton, maize, rice, livestock, and fisheries.

The plan also advocates for a viable investor to revamp the defunct Kilembe Mines Ltd and the Katwe Salt Lake Industry.

Women youth and the elderly across the district will also be supported with cottage industries.

The pan also seeks to harness the hydropower potential and improve roads, markets and address environmental hazards as well as develop a sports complex.

According to Fred Businge, the Saturday meeting was a culmination of a series harmonization meetings chaired by Salim Saleh who has been pitching camp in the district for several weeks.

“I am happy that I have achieved this day. You have given me mileage,” Salim Saleh said while closing the meeting.

He urged the stakeholders to aspire to market the district investment potential in the Rwenzori Mountains and in the planes and to develop a communication plan to do so.

He hailed the Rwenzori sub-region for having contributed to the country’s liberation but noted that disunity had made the area lag behind in development.

Funds guaranteed

Gen Saleh revealed that the Ministry f finance had processed a certificate of Financial Implication for the required fund but strongly advised the district to ensure absorption.

He challenged at stakeholders – the clergy, the clan leaders, government functionaries, civil society and the private sector to work together.

The acting Prime Minister and chairperson of the inter-ministerial commission, established to handle the embattled Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) issues, Gad Mbayahi, described the Saturday meeting as his “long-desired wish.”

He lashed at leaders who oppose development ideas suggested by those of the opposite political sides.

“Kasese isn’t a bad place but it is run by people who want to use it as their selfish business projects.

“I am glad this has happened. Today I am not interested whether you are FDC or NRM because we are here for the common development of the Rwenzori,” said the district LC5, Geoffrey Sibendire Bigogo.

The district vice chairperson Gideon Ntabose, (FDC), termed the meeting as historical

“I have never seen people of different political parties come to the same table in this district,” said Ntabose, who is also represents the youth on the District Council.

He warned fellow politicians to desist from resisting developmental ideas from leaders of other political parties.

“This meeting should teach us that when a member of the opposite party talks of development and service delivery, we should be supportive,” he said.

Ntabose also warned leaders and other residents against utterances and actions that can repulse tourists and investors.

He implored government to also invest in the reconstruction of the Rwenzururu palace, burnt in 2016, release the king and market it as one of the tourist attractions.

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Joshua Kisembo Masereka, revealed that some people had attempted to fail the meeting.

He blamed the slow pace of development on the politics of lies and cheap popularity.

“We all made mistakes. It is time we woke up and stopped lamenting and sitting on ourselves,” Godfrey Kabyanga, the Mayor Kasese Municipality, advised.

What others said

The councilor representing persons with disabilities in the district council, Pelucy Kabagenyi, called for affirmative interventions for her category to avoid marginalizing them in the implementation of the multi-billion investment plan.

Lhusenge Thembo, a musician-turned politician complained that the local artistes were sidelined in the district and called for a special fund.

Former Kasese woman MP, Loice Biira Bwambale, asked the planners to mainstream apiary to prevent the queen Elizabeth national park animals from invading gardens of the neighbouring communities but also to harvest honey for economic development.

Seddress Masika Kalengyo, called for interventions to combat plastic waste known, especially as kavera (polythene bags), saying they were becoming and environmental hazard in the district.

Retired South Rwenzori Diocesan Bishop, Zebedee Masereka, cautioned the district to develop an operation and maintenance plan for the pants and equipment being requested in the plan.

Retired resident District Commissioner, Barnabas Bamusede Bwambale, called for technologies to

turn the maize stalks and into hay and silage.

Maize is one of the widely grown crops especially in prison farms in the district. 

Kasese Residents encouraged to embark on value addition to agricultural products

By;Mumbere Samuel

E-Society

The State Minister for Local government, Hon. Jenifer Kacha Namuyango asked Kasese residents a add value to their agricultural products like coffee, maize etc in order to be able to meet the required standards for market competition. She said this during her one day tour in Kasese district during which she had a full day visit to Bugoye sub county monitoring various government funded projects among which were;

Aclassroom block constructed at Katokeprimary school, Katoke Mobile catering group, One farmer who benefited underOWC,Ndugutu Sec school, Rwaking Youth motorcycle group, Bugoye HCIII, Busongora Coffee Joint, Kibirizi GFSamong others.

A sample of the harvested coffee at Busongora Joint 

She also had a 30 minutes meeting with the sub county leadership during which a number ofkey community issues were discussed, she thereafter also had a 2 hours meeting with the District Technical planning committee during which various district technical issues were discussed.

During her monitoring visit, she was accompanied by Mr. Irumba David the Principal Inspector from the Ministry of Local Government, The Deputry RDC, The Chief Administrative Officer, District Chairperson Kasese and some key district staff.

The Hon. Minister (In the Middle) posses for a photo with ihani Busongora Joint members and the district leadership

Local leaders requested her consider plight of their electorates who she alleged have for long yearned for the district split.

Gen. Kahinda Otafire calls for peace in Kasese

By, Joel Kaguta

E-Society -Kasese

Media houses have been encouraged to sensitize the people on the need
to have unity of purpose for the country, working hard and maintaining
peace.
The challenge was sounded by the Minister of Justice and
Constitutional Affairs, Gen. Kahinda Otafire while officiating at the
10th Anniversary celebrations for Kasese Guide Radio held at the
Catholic Social Services Grounds in Kasese town.
Gen. Otafire said that the people in the Rwenzori Region and Kasese
district in particular needed to know that they were one and therefore
issues related to tribalism should not be reflected anywhere.
He asked the people to only fight for their rights as Ugandans Africans.
Otafire also implored the media houses in the Rwenzori region to
remind the people that they were still backward and hence they needed
to use the God given resources and knowledge to create wealth and make
development.
He used the same platform to tell the people that government
absolutely has no problem with the Rwenzururu Kingdom and appealed to
the institution’s subjects to continue cherishing their valves.
He cited need for the people in the district to forget the past and
work towards restoring their relationship with government.
The Kasese District Vice chairperson, Mr. Gideon Sanyu Ntabose hailed
the different listenership clubs for having created unity among the
people in the district.
According to Ntabose, the Radios have been playing some vital roles
including evangelizing the people spiritually, socially and
economically.
The Kasese Municipality Mayor, Godfrey Baluku Kabyanga who hailed the
Retired Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kasese, the Rt. Rev. Fr.
Egideo Nkaijjanabwo for his vision of beginning the Radio, also said
that very many people have been served with the right information.
Kabyanga also reported that for the last one and half years, the
district has been peaceful and asked the people to protect and observe
peace.
He warned the women against the act of moving alone, adding that
kidnappers have increased.
He appealed to the government to divert some of the Operations Wealth
Creation money to organized groups like listeners.
ENDS.

Key highlights onKasese Capacity building for journalists

By E-Society Team

Journalists in the Rwenzori region have been challenged to deeply understand how government operates in order to write a balanced and accurate story from government offices. 

The challenge was sounded on 25th April 2018 by the Assistant Chief Administrative officer in-charge of Busongora County, Mr. Wilson Asaba Mwigha while speaking to Kasese based Print and Radio journalists attending a two days capacity building training at the E-Society Resource Center at the district Headquarters in Rukoki in Nyamwamba Division Kasese Municipality.

 

The training that ended on 26th April 2018 was organized by The E-Society Resource Centre and supported by The Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA). The training  aimed at equipping journalists with ICT skills on how to report about parliament and local government structures.

 

Mr. Mwigha told the journalist that government through three arms of government that includes the Judiciary, Legislature and Executive could not efficiently execute its mandate without the media, a reason why journalists should be aware of how the government operates.

However, Mwigha said that government has put restrictions on access to information asking the fraternity that is charged to inform, educate and entertain to follow the guidelines if they were to perform their roles rightly.

Loice Kyogabire, the Programs Coordinator attached to Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa asked the journalists to use the media critically to address issues affecting the community.

 
Audios can be downloaded on https://soundcloud.com/user-526628332/ and search for E-Society

RDC Calls for fresh investigations in the Police theft case

By: E-Society News Team

The Kasese District Resident District Commissioner Lt. Col. James Mwesigye has called for fresh investigations into cases of theft by the flying squad attached to Police in Kasese district.

He was this afternoon addressing members of the press shortly after speaking to the coffee traders in Kasese town at the mayor’s garden in Kasese town.

Lt. Col. James Mwesigye says some coffee traders had reported to his office about the alleged theft cases of coffee by the Police attached to the flying squad unit.

 Coffee traders’ chairperson in Kasese district Mr. Katsirombyo Bwambale Fred says they were forced to storm the office of the RDC due to the increased cases of coffee thefts in their business. 

The commander for the flying squad Rwenzori East and West Regions assistant superintendent of police ASP Marahi Habson reports that that the flying squad Police officers who allegedly stole coffee had started paying back the money. 

The commander for the Field Force Unit (FFU) police Mr. Asiimwe Medad also reports that some officers who misbehave in his department were being delt with accordingly. 

The man whose funds was stolen Mr. Baduru Kule, was by press time nursing wounds at pride medical centre commonly known as Manasi health unit.

Mr. Baduru disclosed that seven million shillings out of the stolen money was a bank loan and eight million shillings was from his friend, he quickly called for Government intervention. 

So far two suspects are in custody, Mumbere Moses and Masuluba Elisha as Police waits to arrest suspects from the flying squad unit. 

END.

Kasese budget suffers donor blow

By John B. Thawite

The Kasese district budget for the financial year ending has suffered a major blow arising from reduced donor funding.

According to the district vice chairperson, Elly Magwara, the district had by end of April realised only 890.655m/= out of the expected Shs2,031,655,000  to from Unicef, putting the district budget performance at 41%.

“At the mid-term evaluation at the end of December 2016, adjustments were made on donor support from Shs Shs2,031b to 890.655m/=  due to the poor performance from Unicef where disbursements had been affected due to the global economic recession,” Magwara noted.

Magwara, who also doubles as secretary for finance, planning and administration, wason Friday presenting the 2017/2018 financial year budget estimates, worth Shs57, 345,894,051 during the Council sitting held at the district multipurpose hall.  

The district had estimated to spend up from Shs53,449,348,000 in the year ending, he said..

But he said the district had continued to budget for Unicef support despite poor performance during the year ending “because the organisation has indicated that they will support the district again.”

Revenue sources

Magwara said the district expected to raise the Shs57,345,894,051 from local revenue (shs1.916,370,000), Central Government (53,097,868,551) and Shs2,331,655,500 from donors, accounting for 3.4%, 92..% and 4.1% respectively.

If the 57,345,894,051/= for service delivery were to be distributed among the residents, each person would have only Shs81,686 to spend on services in the entire 2017/2018 financial year.

Expenditure 

He said salaries, including pension and gratuity, are to consume a total of Shs36,631,221,921 or 64% while  11.4bn of the revenue will be spent on recurrent activities to support decentralisation and key service delivery projects.

Shs 4.3bn is to go to development projects especially health, education, roads and production while donor about Shs2.331bn is to go into donor development projects.

He challenged the district leaders to engage the community for additional revenue.

Past achievements 

Outlining a catalogue of achievements, which included class room blocks, roads, the district chairman, Godfrey Sibendire Bigogo, he said district had also undertaken the construction of other projects including mini-Irrigation schemes to mitigate the unpredictable weather patterns.

“People owning land along roads should grow trees to avert the increasingly negative climatic changes in the district,” Bigogo urged.

District Budget at glance

Administration: 6,013,154,675, Finance: 386,873,000., Statutory bodies: 871,280,000, Production and Marketing: 827,546,439, Health: 9,727,617,317,  Education – 29,387,461,506, Roads and engineering:2,663,235,865, Water: 793,237858, Natural resources: 683,649,859, Community-Based Services: 2,434,511,401,  Planning Unit: 753,908,388, Internal Audit: 76,873,000, Transfers to lower local governments: 2,720,671,744.

END