The first of a series of training workshops for local councillors and civil society actors has started in Masaka district. Being implemented under the EU supported project the activities will take place in 11 districts across the four major regions of Uganda.

The 11 districts of project implementation include Masaka, Kiboga, Arua, Lira, Pader, Palisa, Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Kabale, Kisoro and Mbarara. In Masaka, the training workshop for district councillors started on January 16th and ended on 18th at Golf Lane Hotel. All members of the district council including LC V Chairman, Mr. Joseph Kalungi were in attendance. Renowned political scientist and Makerere University don, Prof. Yasin Olum facilitated at the workshop. KAS and ACFODE were applauded for the timely intervention considering that local government leaders had never been inducted on their roles and responsibilities seven months since assuming office following the general elections of 2011. The trainings under the KAS-ACFODE project are expected to play an essential role in increasing local leaders’ awareness of their roles and responsibilities.

Following the councillors’ workshop the training of civil society (CSO) trainers on democracy and accountability concepts as well as equipping them with skills and materials to conduct grassroots civic education started on January 18th and will last 3 days until January 21st. At the end of the workshop, 18 CSO actors will be qualified as trainers and shall later on be supported with materials and financial logistics to conduct civic education activities at the grassroots level within the district.

The training activities are a component of the project: “Action for Strengthening Good Governance and Accountability in Uganda” implemented by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and Action for Development (ACFODE) with funding from the European Union. The 24 months project has registered some significant milestones since the start of implementation in July 2011. Among the achievements include the publication of a civic education toolkit that has been translated in several local languages spoken across Uganda. The toolkit contains simplified information, education and communication materials that can be used to educate local communities on democracy, good governance and accountability. Within the framework of the project civil society trainers in the 11 districts will be supported to apply the civic education toolkit in conducting grassroots civic education.

The next round of training activities shall take place in Kiboga district between January 30th to February 4th 2012.