RAC’s media campaign for the past years has mostly been made up of talk shows, jingles and announcements on radio stations across the Rwenzori region. All these were done in the name of civic empowerment to resist and fight against corruption. In 2012 however, a different strategy was adopted not to substitute but rather; to supplement the ordinary radio programs. Short drama skits were introduced and played daily on local FM stations. These skits were not only entertaining but also educative – something that was widely appreciated by our target audience – the local community. The responses received at the end of every episode were a clear indicator that the public had not only enjoyed the drama but most importantly, they had grasped the simplified message passed disseminated. In fact, many people have since demanded for more of these skits and better still, the rate at which corruption tendencies are addressed (through reporting the culprits or denouncing the corrupt) within the community has greatly improved. This can be evidenced in our data base that showed an increment of cases reported to RAC from a total of 301 in 2011 to 404 in 2012.

In another development, RAC initiated a new approach of reaching out to the community – Community Outreach programs. These outreaches were premised on the supposition that “if they won’t come for it, you take it to them… This initiative was adopted in a bid to enhance wider information sharing and face-to-face encounters with the target community. The outreaches were carried out in busy places like trading centers and markets. They were widely attended by the local community members and leaders. This provided a platform for interface between the grassroots and their leaders, as well as the RAC staff/monitors. 

Various issues were raised by the participants, demanding for response and action from the respective stakeholders. Issues reported ranged from misappropriation of funds by some leaders, delayed justice in the courts of law, bribery within various public institutions like police, poor service delivery in the health and education sector among others. All the issues reported were recorded and are being followed up by RAC for action.

The outreaches have further led to improved relationships/confidence building between the communities and the RAC monitors/secretariat. Because of the trust built, many people can now run to RAC for advice/intervention in corruption tendencies encountered within their communities.