I’m Alex Asaba aged 26, a journalist working at Daily Monitor Publication. I’m a reporter based at Fort Portal office, Western Uganda. The seven years of my work experience in Fort Portal, Kabarole district, I’ve worked, covered events and done several interviews with PLATFORM for the NEEDY (PLANE) on issues of children and women’s rights, land disputes, domestic violence and malaria prevention among other campaigns.
PLANE is in the communities focusing on issues affecting the rural populace. I will never forget their campaign in the fight against malaria where they were sensitizing the rural communities and schools through drama performance (shows). These pulled crowds and to my experience, I witnessed people saying, “We thank BAHEMUKA drama of PLANE for teaching us to use the mosquito nets. Government had given us mosquito nets but we were not sensitized on how to utilize them”.
I will always work with PLANE because they tackle issues of vulnerable communities including women and children whose rights are violated.
I’m Richard Rwabuhinga , the District chairperson Kabarole, Western Uganda. This is my third term working as district chairperson. I’m also the president of Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA).
As district head, I greatly applaud PLATFORM for the NEEDY for partnering with the district in areas of Gender Based Violence, Health and Sanitation and HIV/AIDS.
In 2011, HIV/AIDS prevalence was high in the district standing at 11.3% which was scaring and alarming but I recommend PLANE for the laudable initiative of BAHEMUKA radio drama which has helped in creating awareness on HIV/AIDS, malaria prevention practices and Domestic Violence. The drama sensitization campaigns in communities have really helped in the reduction of HIV/AIDS prevalence which now stands at 5.3%, although it’s still high among the youth and married couples. I recommend for partnerships to ensure all rural communities are reached and combed.
I’m Dr. Richard Mugahi Adyeeri the Assistant Commissioner Ministry of Health in charge of Reproductive Health.
Before I joined the ministry, I worked with Kabarole district as District Health Officer (DHO). I really appreciate PLATFORM for the NEEDY (PLANE) for being on forefront in the fight against malaria. Late 2017, PLANE got funding from PACE-Uganda to create awareness on malaria prevention in communities and schools.
The campaign helped in the reduction of malaria cases in the rural communities. I recall before we embarked on community awareness using BAHEMUKA drama on radio and outreaches, the prevalence was high. At a health centre III, they could record 120 malaria cases a week but after the campaign, it reduced to between 10-20 cases which was a big improvement.
Through their radio drama BAHEMUKA on Voice of Tooro fm, they have helped sensitize our people on other health related issues like family planning, Domestic Violence, Children and Women Rights abuse, home sanitation, personal hygiene and HIV/AIDS.
I’m Joel Rutesengereza aged 18 and a senior 5 student at Mpanga Senior Secondary School. I am doing Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Mathematics( PCB/M) I was born to Grace Kajumba a poor single mother of four in Nyakagongo village, East Division, Fort Portal City.
Had it not been PLATFORM for the NEEDY my life would be miserable. I would not be in school.
I recall when I scored 9 aggregates in Primary Seven (P.7) and I was admitted at Nyakasura School in S.1. However, I didn’t finish the first term; I was sent away because of failure to pay school fees. My mother struggled at get for me a place at Fort Portal secondary day school but the situation was not different. I was sent away and had not even seen any report card to know my performance. The administrators withheld them.
My life and hope were restored when we approached PLATFORM for the NEEDY office in Boma to seek for assistance. We learnt about them when we tuned on Family Clinic Radio Program on VOT FM. They enrolled me on their Orphans Education Program and I was taken to Covenant Bethel Secondary School Entebbe Wakiso district in boarding section. But unfortunately, when they ran short of funds, they changed the school and brought me to Mpanga Secondary School in Fort Portal town where am studying now in S.4. My performance is Excellent. I want to be a Doctor after my senior Six. I thank the Almighty God and pray that He helps me succeed in my studies. I pray to God that he intervenes in PLANE’s programs. PLANE buys me clothes, uniforms, shoes, books, pens, lunch and pays for my tuition. I am now a jolly boy. I will never forget it!!
I’m Rose Mary Tusiime 16 years. Both my parents reside in Muhangi, Nyabuharwa sub county, Kyenjojo district.
I was picked by PLANE when my poor parents with nine children failed to send me to secondary school after completing primary Seven.
I was brought to Fort Portal and started schooling at Kabarole Hillside secondary school. I’m now in S.3. Had it not been the intervention of PLANE, I would have got married but I thank God I’m now in school. I’m given tuition, clothes, scholastic materials and accommodation. In future i want to be a nurse.
I’m Margaret Kabajwara, the female Youth councilor Kabarole district. I’m now pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication at Uganda Pentecostal University (UPU) Mucwa- Fort Portal town.
I’ve liked PLANE’s programs of promoting Sexual Reproductive health Rights in both primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions. The program has promoted awareness and continued sensitization among the youth who need such services to avoid /prevent unwanted pregnancies and early marries. I’m optimistic that if such programs go in rural areas, cases of the teenage pregnancies and school dropout will reduce.
I’ve also liked tuning in for their radio drama on VOT FM that looks at issues of GBV, children’s rights and environment protection. I call upon leaders in this region to work with PLANE in promoting gender related issues.
I’m Kaganda Saidat Abwooli, a female councilor representing elderly, West division, Fort Portal City, Kabarole district. I’m a beneficiary of PLANE’s radio program of “Family Clinic” on VOT every Monday from 10:00-1:00am. A woman was chased from her land and took refuge at one of the churches in Kamwenge district. She approached me and took her to PLANE’s office Boma seeking for intervention. We were hosted in their Family Clinic radio program where listeners and experts offered guidance. We were referred to Legal Aid Clinic their partners and the case was settled and she regained her land. The Family Clinic program has helped reduce cases of domestic violence and child neglect and it has taught people to learn their responsibilities in marriage and work place to avoid conflicts.