RWECO MEMBERS TAKE LEAD IN THE RWENZORI CIVIL SOCIETY ANNUAL FAIR DEBATE – By Kahunde Erina, Focal Person IWDP.

Civil societies in the Rwenzori region normally hold a civil society fair after every 02 years to share their experiences and lessons learnt with others through exhibitions, debates, music dance and drama among other. This year the civil society fair took place at Kyenjojo S.S play ground in Kyenjojo district from 23rd- 26th September 2010, where different organizations participated in exhibitions, debates, music and drama. Rwenzori Consortium for Civic Competence (RWECO) a consortium made up of organizations dealing in Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance issues namely; Integrated Women Development Program (IWDP), Karambi Action for Life Improvement (KALI), Good Hope Foundation for Rural Development (GHFRD) and Rwenzori Information Centers Network (RICNET) participated in the civil society fair in a debate under the theme: “Are Ugandans ready for 2011 general elections” which was led by the host Integrated Women Development Program where participants discussed about the possibility of the 2011 elections being fair, free and peaceful looking at what had happened during the primary elections of NRM flag bearers in the entire country. Participants expressed a lot of fear that the electoral commission may not achieve the intended out come of the elections since in the NRM flag bearer elections, there was a lot of rigging, violence and threats from opponents. Participants called government for a more strong system in the electoral commission to cub down the raised issues.

The 03 days annual fair event was officially closed by the Minister for Investment and Planning; Hon Astone Kajara the current MP Mwenge South who appreciated the work of civil society in the region especially reducing the rate of corruption through shoddy works. He also encouraged participants to be ready for the 2011 elections and called for vigilance and confidence so that quality leaders could be voted into the various offices for quality service delivery. He discouraged candidates who have planned to buy people’s votes in exchange of petty items like salt, sugar and alcohol among others.