A Sub-County Speaker Opens Up on Government Services at Baraza in Kakooge Sub-County.
On March 25th, 2024, Hon. Lutaaya Moses, a 57-year-old sub-county councilor representing Kyambogo Parish and Speaker of Kakooge Sub-County, shared his transformative journey at a civic education baraza held at Batuusa Trading Center in Nakasongola District. The event, organized by CODI under the SCENE project, aimed to bridge the gap between leaders and citizens by creating awareness of constitutional rights and encouraging feedback on government services.
Before engaging in this initiative, Hon. Lutaaya had never convened a community meeting since his election in 2021. “I used to think that my role was limited to attending formal meetings with fellow leaders,” he admitted. The community members, unaware of the services planned and executed by the sub-county, lacked the opportunity to engage their leader or voice their concerns. This governance challenge was significant, as it hindered effective communication between the electorate and their representative.
The SCENE project addressed this gap through parish-level barazas, which serve as platforms for citizens and leaders to interact. To ensure the baraza’s success, CODI employed creative strategies, including mobilizing participants via community radios and integrating entertainment through cultural dances and theatrical drama groups. The meeting objectives included educating citizens about their rights, electoral processes, and the importance of civic participation. It also sought to enhance leaders’ responsiveness and provide updates on government initiatives, such as the renewal of national IDs and service delivery at the local level.
The baraza marked a turning point for Hon. Lutaaya. Reflecting on the event, he shared, “I have always thought that after elections, there is no need to come back to people and listen to their ideas. This meeting opened my eyes. I realized that interacting directly with my people is not only necessary but also inspiring. I gained the courage to explain the services we’ve implemented and those we plan to deliver.”
During the meeting, Hon. Lutaaya highlighted key achievements in the community, including the renovation of a health center, the construction of two boreholes, and plans to build a seed secondary school. Inspired by the positive reception, he pledged to regularly hold community meetings to provide updates and gather feedback.
The baraza also empowered citizens, creating an avenue for them to voice concerns about pressing issues such as favoritism in distributing resources and challenges with the Parish Development Model funds. “We learned that when citizens are given space to engage with their leaders, they can raise pertinent issues and demand accountability,” said a SCENE project representative.
This initiative not only strengthened the relationship between Hon. Lutaaya and his constituents but also birthed a culture of transparency and civic engagement in Kakooge Sub-County. The baraza has set a foundation for inclusive governance and empowered the community to take an active role in shaping their future.
