By Nathan Eyagu 

Soroti City - Residents of Kigandani in Soroti City East have raised the alarm over what they describe as persistent gaps in public service delivery, citing insecurity, inadequate medicines, poor roads, sanitation challenges and limited access to government programmes, as pressure mounts on local leaders to address the challenges affecting the rapidly growing community.

The concerns were raised during a community engagement organised by Community Power Voices Uganda in partnership with Uganda Cares, bringing together local council leaders, religious and opinion leaders, youth, elders, women representatives and other community stakeholders.

The engagement was the second held in the area following an earlier meeting where community concerns were documented and presented to relevant duty bearers and policymakers.

Stephen Olebe, Chairperson of Community Power Voices, said the latest engagement provided an opportunity for residents to give feedback on health, infrastructure, education, security and other challenges affecting their communities.

Olebe said the organisation would present the concerns to leaders at the division and city levels and, where necessary, take them to Parliament.

“We shall take this feedback to the division level, move to the city offices and even Parliament to ensure that the cry of these taxpayers is given attention through good service delivery,” Olebe said.

Insecurity emerged as one of the key concerns raised during the meeting, with local leaders identifying Omaria Road, Obwangor Road and other routes as areas where residents reportedly feel unsafe, particularly at night.

Ousi Isaac, LC1 Chairperson of Kengere West Cell and a community paralegal, said the security situation was concerning given the population being served by the available security personnel.

He said the nearest police station has four uniformed officers and called for greater collaboration between residents and security agencies.

Isaac also urged residents to participate in community-based efforts to address insecurity, including the possible formation of a local task force.

Apedu Andrew, LC2 Chairperson of Kengere Ward and a member of the security committee, also said residents had raised concerns over increasing insecurity.

He called for increased security presence and support for community vigilance initiatives.

Residents also raised concerns over the availability of medicines at Eastern Division Health Centre III.

Community representatives said patients are sometimes referred to private facilities when particular medicines or services are unavailable.

Local leaders, however, explained that the health centre receives medicines, but the quantities and types supplied may not meet the needs of the growing population.

They also cited inadequate staffing as another challenge affecting the facility.

Isaac called for increased community sensitisation so residents can better understand the services and medicines expected at a Health Centre III, while also urging government to strengthen staffing and medicine supplies.

Poor sanitation was another major concern, with residents raising the absence of latrines, open defecation and poor garbage disposal.

Local leaders said the challenge is particularly difficult in an area occupied by more than 100 households where a land dispute is reportedly before court.

They explained that the legal dispute has made it difficult to establish permanent sanitation facilities and other infrastructure in the affected area.

Apedu said the growing population was also putting pressure on waste management and revealed that local leaders had proposed having households and businesses use garbage bins.

He called for increased public awareness of the polluter-pays policy and better management of waste in public spaces.

Residents also raised concerns over access to Parish Development Model funds.

Local leaders argued that the UGX100 million allocation to a parish is insufficient given the number of households in Kigandani.

They said the area has more than 2,000 households, meaning many families are unable to benefit from the programme at the same time.

The leaders called for increased funding to enable more households to access the revolving funds.

Poor roads and inadequate drainage were also cited among the challenges affecting the area.

Omaria Road towards Aliabu Road was mentioned as one of the routes requiring attention, with local leaders saying residents have continued to call for improvements.

They attributed some of the challenges to limited road equipment within the city, arguing that resources allocated for road works can also be spent on hiring equipment.

The leaders called for investment in road equipment and integrated road infrastructure, including drainage and security lighting.

Local leaders also raised concerns over school dropouts and the financial difficulties facing vulnerable households.

Apedu said many families, particularly single-parent households, struggle to meet school-related expenses.

He also pointed to staffing challenges in some government schools, saying some workers are reportedly not on the government payroll, creating additional pressure on schools and parents.

The leaders called for closer cooperation between government, teachers and parents to ensure children remain in school.

Mobile HIV services planned

Meanwhile, Community Power Voices, working with Uganda Cares, plans to establish mobile HIV services in the area.

Olebe said the initiative will provide HIV testing, counselling and linkage to treatment, alongside other preventive services.

He said bringing services closer to the community would encourage residents to seek testing and access appropriate care.

John Akabwai, Coordinator of Community Power Voices Uganda Cares in Soroti, urged residents to work closely with the organisation by sharing their health concerns and other community challenges.

Olebe said addressing the challenges raised in Kigandani would require cooperation between residents, local leaders, civil society organisations and government authorities.

The organisers said the concerns documented during the engagement will be compiled and presented to relevant duty bearers and policymakers for further consideration.