Von Januar 2009 bis Juni 2010 führte die Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Uganda in Zusammenarbeit mit der Uganda Media Development Foundation (UMDF) ein Projekt unter dem Titel “Strengthening Civil Society, Media and Local Councils’ Capacity to Promote Political Pluralism, Democratic Participation and Representation at Local Government Level in Uganda” durch, welches durch die EU im Rahmen des Instruments for Demokratie und Menschenrechte (EIDHR) gefördert wurde.

Demokratie und Pluralismus an der Graswurzel: Uganda auf dem Prüfstand
Innovatives Assessment in sieben ugandischen Distrikten>>

News/Activities:

KAS and UMDF to launch report on the state of political pluralism and democracy at local government level in Uganda (engl.)
Launching the Report on 7 Districts in Uganda>>

EU Project: Public dialogues and networking meetings concluded in the regions (engl.)
>>

Towards the Assessment of Pluralism and Democracy in the Districts: Consultations of Local Stakeholders (engl.)
Series of Consultation Workshops Kicks Off in Gulu and Arua >>

Local Councillors urged to fulfil expected role in a pluralistic and democratic setting (engl.)
KAS-Workshop in Kasese >>

KAS Workshop Series on Political Pluralism, Democratic Participation and Representation Continues in Mbale and Soroti (engl.)
Succesful Trainings for CSO Representatives and Local Councillors Held in Eastern Uganda >>

Training workshops for CSO, media and councillors successfully held in Masaka (engl.)
Target groups trained in the promotion of political pluralism, democratic participation and representation at local government level >>

Political Pluralism, Democratic Participation and Representation at Local Government Level in Uganda (engl.)
Minister for Internal Affairs launches KAS-Handbook on Key Concepts for Civil Society, Media and Local Councils >>

Background:

The transition to multiparty politics in 2005, after twenty years of governance under the movement system marked a significant milestone in Uganda’s pursuit towards deepening democracy and setting frameworks for realising more participatory governance. Multiparty democracy in Uganda is anticipated to consolidate previous gains such as the adoption of the Decentralisation Policy in 1998 which empowered local governments as centres of political, legislative and administrative authority and epitomised people centred governance in Uganda. There are, however, several problems that still need to be addressed if multiparty governance shall be successful in Uganda. KAS and UMDF intend through this project to empower civil society actors, including the media, as well as political leaders at the local government level, to appreciate the relevance of pluralism, democratic participation and representation as tangible evidence of democratic governance that reflect the spirit of the Uganda constitution. This project therefore seeks to strengthen the capacity of selected civil society organisations (CSOs) and district councillors, as well as media representatives, in promoting and assessing the state of political pluralism, democratic participation and representation at the local government level. The following specific issues will be addressed:
(i) Understanding by both civil society actors and political leaders of their roles and responsibilities and application of the concepts of political pluralism, democratic participation and representation at the local government level;
(ii) Cooperation and synergy among civil society actors working on the promotion of political pluralism, democratic participation and representation and the lack of defined parameters for CSOs to assess the state of these aspects;
(iii) Understanding of context and depth in political reporting by the media, which results in inadequate coverage (in terms of quality and quantity) of the significance of political pluralism, democratic participation and representation to the democratic process.

Project Description:

The projects runs from 1st January 2009 until June 30th 2010 and will be implemented in seven districts, namely Arua, Gulu, Kasese, Masaka, Mbale, Mbarara, and Soroti.

The overall objectives to which this project shall contribute are:
a) Assisting civil society to develop greater cohesion and capacity in working on political pluralism, democratic participation and representation; and
b) Promoting responsiveness and accountability of political leaders.

The specific objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of selected civil society groups and district councillors, as well as media representatives, in promoting and monitoring the state of political pluralism, democratic participation and representation at the local government level. This will be achieved through training the selected 100 CSO managers, key staff and trainers, 140 district councillors and 175 journalists from the 7 districts of operation.

The project has four main activities which include:

1. Development, publication and launch of a handbook on the concepts of political pluralism, democratic participation and representation
KAS and UMDF have contracted an expert who has conducted desk studies and field research in the districts of Gulu and Mbarara. On the basis of findings from the research, a draft handbook has been developed and was finally published in May 2009. The handbook contains definitions and descriptions of the concepts and will be distributed for use and as reference material to the target groups.

2. Training Workshops for civil society, media and district councillors
Three training curricula have been developed from the handbook. By use of these curricula, training workshops are held for Civil Society, Media and Councillors in the districts. The trainings focus on the concepts of political pluralism, democratic participation and representation at the local government level.

3. Assessing and reporting about the State of Political Pluralism and Democracy in the Districts
With expert assistance, an index will be developed for use in assessing the state of political pluralism and democracy in the seven districts. The assessments will be conducted by research teams constituted of representatives of participating organisations selected from those to have undergone training under the project. The teams write and present district reports to be discussed locally within the districts. The seven districts reports will be merged into one report that shall be published and launched at the national level. Assessment activities will run from January 2010 to May 2010.

4. Establishing a network for civil Society, media and Local councillors to exchange best practices in promoting political pluralism, democratic participation and representation at the local government level
A networking platform will be established for participating institutions (including Civil Society, Media and Councillors) together with other organisations engaged in democracy promotion to share information and best practices in their work. Networking will be in the form of holding meetings and email communication through a group mail.