Foreword

Good Governance and Accountability are principles whose application is essential to a country achieving genuine democracy and development. Good Governance brings along respect of human rights, the rule of law, effective people’s participation in development, as well as transparent and accountable processes and institutions.

Thus, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is committed to promoting democracy and good governance as the only sustainable way of addressing development challenges anywhere in the world.

In the same line, KAS not only recognises, but highly applauds the fact that democracy, good governance and accountability are priorities clearly stipulated in Uganda’s National Development Plan. Nevertheless, for the fact that the multiparty system is generally new, several challenges can be expected. Realising true democracy, good governance and accountability will require higher levels of

citizen participation, improved civic education, and promoting more awareness and appreciation of democratic principals by the leaders (and citizens) especially at the local level.

It is on this premise that the project: “Action for Strengthening Good Governance and Accountability” has been designed by KAS and our partner – Action for Development (ACFODE). The interventions proposed within this action are aimed at deepening the understanding and appreciation of the principals of democratic governance among leaders and local citizens as well as establishing mechanisms

for increased citizen participation in the governance process. In this regard, a set of mechanisms will be employed including the production of a civic education toolkit which this guide is part of.

On the basis of conducting civic education in Uganda for over three decades, KAS realises the limitations in the availability of reference materials on the concepts of good governance and accountability, particularly those developed within the Ugandan (local government) context. This guide therefore is designed to serve as a simplified tool for use by civic educators and elected leaders in understanding the concepts of democracy, good governance and accountability. Within its content the concept of democracy is clearly defined and explained. It sets out the elements of a

democratic state and society. And it also points out the course democracy has taken in Uganda, including a brief historical background and the Ugandan political system as it is today. Similarly, the concepts of good governance and accountability are

presented in a much simplified way.

The author Dr. George Okiror is an accomplished Political Scientist. His knowledge on the Ugandan political system has been tapped to produce this guide. I am confident this tool will prove invaluable in enhancing the capacity of civil society and other actors to promote democratic governance and accountability particularly at

local level and to conduct grassroots civic education.

Dr. Angelika Klein, Project Director