How Building Capacity of Local Leaders is Driving Change in Uganda
Posted on: 2023-09-13 00:00:00
In one inspiring story that demonstrates the impact of our project on local government political leaders from Wakiso and Mbarara districts, two former Councillors were successfully elected as Members of the National Assembly in the 2021 general elections.
Hon. Betty Naluyima (Woman MP, Wakiso District) and Hon. Basil Bataringaya (MP Kashari North Constituency, Mbarara District) are two politicians who attribute their success in Parliament to the capacity-building training they received from ACODE while serving as Councillors in their respective District Councils. Their stories illustrate the importance of training and continuous learning for elected officials, especially in a country where minimal resources are allocated towards the training and induction of new local leaders by the Ministry of Local Government.
Hon. Naluyima's journey from a District Council Member to a high-performing Member of Parliament has been shaped by her experiences with the ACODE Local Government Councils Scorecard Initiative (LGCSCI). Despite the challenges faced in allocating resources towards the training and induction of Councillors by the Ministry of Local Government, Hon. Naluyima credits her success to the capacity-building training and assessments she received from ACODE while serving in the Wakiso District Council.
Read MoreEmpowering Local Communities Boosts Service Delivery and Accountability in Uganda
Posted on: 2023-09-13 00:00:00
In an era where transparency and accountability in public finance management had mainly focused on the supply side, ACODE championed a transformative approach to building the demand side of accountability. Recognizing the critical role of citizen participation in fostering effective governance, ACODE designed strategies that empowered communities to actively engage their leaders and demand efficiency in the delivery of public goods and services.
With the introduction of Civic Engagement Meetings (CEMs) and Citizen Engagement Action Plans (CEAPs) methodologies in local communities, citizens have been empowered to strengthen the demand-side of accountability, especially at the local level. These approaches were designed to enhance citizens' capacity to effectively participate in public affairs that affect their livelihoods. By providing communities with the necessary knowledge and skills, these approaches have helped citizens to actively participate in decision-making processes and hold their leaders accountable.
For decades, one of the major contributing factors to weaknesses in public service delivery in Uganda had been attributed to limited citizen engagement in public affairs. ACODE identified the need to address this gap by developing citizen-driven demand for service delivery and accountability, enabling communities to utilize the available tools for engagement and hold duty-bearers accountable.
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