Katakwi locals urged to embrace civic education

Civil society actors in Katakwi district are calling on the locals to embrace civil education campaigns.

The statement follows reports that some residents shun civic education campaigns on democracy, multiparty system, and constitutional rights among others organized by Amuria District Development Agency (ADDA).

The program which was launched in August last year in the sub-counties of Toroma, Magoro and Kapujan, has been marred by low turn up thus raising concern among civic educators.

The Amuria District civic educator for Toroma County, Joel Opus, says people should embrace the importance of civic education.

According to Opus, civic education equips locals with diverse knowledge about government programs making it easy for them to give their views on what projects they want to be given first priority.

He warned that public participation will have no meaning unless citizens are empowered through civic education on its importance.

It's against this background that he urged the community of Katakwi to embrace devolution saying it was the best thing that has ever happened to the country.

However some of the local residents clarified that some of civic educators given to them by NGOs use allowances for their personal gains.

They added that this demoralizes members of the public from attending such meetings, adding that civic educators should be transparent rather than apportioning blame.