Conflict Transformation, Peace and Cross-border Resource Sharing The project focused on the Ateker people Ethnolinguistic Background: The Ateker people, also known as the Itung’a-speaking Nilotic group (formerly referred to as Nilo-Hamites), trace their historical roots to the Nile Valley in Egypt and a region between the Blue and White Niles in present-day Sudan. Geographic Distribution: They currently inhabit the borderlands (a conflict-prone zone) spanning four East African nations: Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. This region experiences frequent cattle rustling, lawlessness, and generalized insecurity. AFLI’s Intervention and Its Impact: Promoting Unity and Identity: AFLI successfully fostered a shared understanding of the Ateker people’s historical background and cultural identity across the four countries. This initiative aimed to mitigate violence and promote peace, security, and development in the region. “Tobongu Lore” Collaboration: The Ateker people (armed pastoralists) collaborated with their respective local governments and established a framework called “tobongu lore,” which translates to “Come back home.” This initiative aimed to establish a collaborative approach to addressing regional challenges. Enduring Legacy: Even after the conclusion of AFLI’s project, the Ateker people and their leaders from all four countries continue to hold annual meetings in Lodwar, Kenya, to discuss cultural preservation, peacebuilding efforts, and facilitate cross-border development initiatives. Cross-Border Development: Presidential Engagement: This collaborative spirit culminated in the signing of a Joint Cross-Border Development Framework for the Karamoja and Turkana regions in 2019. This agreement, facilitated by the UNDP and witnessed by various development partners, signifies the commitment of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to fostering regional development.
Parliamentary Performance Scorecard and Civic Engagement Project
Assessment of Parliament as an institution and Members of Parliament (MPs) is based on verifiable data that is derived from key public documents generated by the House. Among others, these documents include the Plenary Hansards, Committee Reports, Rules of Procedure and or letters of communication as documents of instruction to and from different officers or individuals in Parliament. The Parliamentary Performance Scorecard (which is referred to in the document as “the Scorecard”) is therefore a public audit tool that is based on evidence-driven data and an independently generated research. The design and focus of the Scorecard are premised on the fact that citizens as voters of MPs have a right to know if their representatives are debating, passing laws, overseeing the executive and appropriating resources in their favour or in the public interest. It is a tool that offers information for civic engagement, acts as a power platform to generate dialogue between MPs and the citizenry, a yardstick for tracking progress of a given five-year period of Parliament and an opportunity for a public record of findings and recommendations in the operations of Parliament. Such historical records can be used for policy analysis, academic teaching and research, knowledge accumulation and lessons for citizens and future leaders. Therefore, the value of the Scorecard exceeds its immediate benefit of just scoring Parliament as a governance institution or individual MPs. OBJECTIVE OF PARLIAMENTARY SCORECARD The Scorecard is a tool used to provide Ugandans with critical information about the performance of the institution of the Parliament of Uganda and their respective MPs on an annual basis. By placing in the hands of citizens evidenced based information, the Scorecard empowers citizens to monitor performance of their elected representatives on a regular basis. It enables citizens to remain active in holding their elected leaders publicly accountable as well as empower them to make informed choices at election time. It is based on the idea that it is possible for a people to work within the framework representative form of democracy and retain an active participation with authority to exercise demands for accountable and responsive leadership in between the electoral cycles. Specifically:
Mentoring and Students Internship
Mentoring and Students Internship The African Leadership Institute (AFLI) continues to strengthen its commitment to nurturing young talent by expanding its internship program. AFLI has built on its extensive hosting experience with notable institutions such as Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono, Kyambogo University in Kampala, the International University of East Africa in Kampala, and the School for International Training (SIT) in the USA. In a significant step forward, AFLI’s expansion program recently included two students from the International Work program – Global Studies at the School of Education and Communication, Jönköping University in Sweden. These students participated in the internship program from October to December 2023, marking a new milestone in AFLI’s international collaboration efforts. AFLI’s partnerships with these esteemed universities reflect its dedication to providing practical, real-world experience to students from diverse educational backgrounds. The institute’s focus on leadership and professional development equips interns with the skills necessary to thrive in their future careers. By welcoming students from Jönköping University, AFLI underscores its commitment to fostering global educational connections. This initiative not only enriches the students’ learning experiences but also contributes to a broader cultural exchange, enhancing the academic environment for all involved. As AFLI continues to expand its internship program, it remains dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders through hands-on experience, mentorship, and international collaboration. This growth not only benefits the students but also strengthens AFLI’s role as a pivotal player in global education and leadership development.
Improving Pastoral Communities’ Engagement in Decision Making
Youth Entrepreneurial Skilling in White Meat Value Chain
King David District farmer service center (FSC) Moroto, is established under the Gudie Leisure farm (GLF) partnership MoU with Moroto District Local Government supported by GOAL. King David FSC now serves as a skilling and support center for both youth champions (YACs) and Youth on Apprentices (YAAs) in Moroto district on white meat Value chain and Horticulture. The FSC is providing inputs to support the Youth Agripreneur champions (YACs) who have completed incubation program at GLF and other Youth Agripreneur Apprentices (YAAs) who have joined the expanded Parish Entrepreneurial Learners Associations (PELAs). The FSC also serves as a coordination office currently open daily and being run by 6 YACs attached and working with the FSC on voluntary basis as facilitated by the GDA. Each node is being represented among the 6 volunteer YACs.
Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Services Among Refugees and Host Communities in Yumbe
Attaining and sustaining HIV epidemic control in refugee and host communities in Yumbe district of Uganda through optimization of high impact interventions to achieve UNAIDS 95:95:95 targets A Cross-border initiative for expanded access and increased uptake of comprehensive and integrated HIV/ AIDs services, among the south Sudanese refugees and Host Communities in Yumbe District of West Nile region. It aims at contributing to improvement of quality of life of persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Its key deliverables are: accelerated and easy access to prevention, care and treatment; increased demand and usage of HIV/AIDs services by different categories of targeted persons; reduced stigma and discrimination; ICT enabled tools deployed for multi-flow of real time information to increase follow-up, adherence confidentiality and improved coordination; improved home based, community and health facility based care and treatment; strengthened linkages and active referral system and a robust monitoring and evaluation system.
Mentoring and Students Internship
The African Leadership Institute (AFLI) continues to strengthen its commitment to nurturing young talent by expanding its internship program. AFLI has built on its extensive hosting experience with notable institutions such as Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono, Kyambogo University in Kampala, the International University of East Africa in Kampala, and the School for International Training (SIT) in the USA. In a significant step forward, AFLI’s expansion program recently included two students from the International Work program – Global Studies at the School of Education and Communication, Jönköping University in Sweden. These students participated in the internship program from October to December 2023, marking a new milestone in AFLI’s international collaboration efforts. AFLI’s partnerships with these esteemed universities reflect its dedication to providing practical, real-world experience to students from diverse educational backgrounds. The institute’s focus on leadership and professional development equips interns with the skills necessary to thrive in their future careers. By welcoming students from Jönköping University, AFLI underscores its commitment to fostering global educational connections. This initiative not only enriches the students’ learning experiences but also contributes to a broader cultural exchange, enhancing the academic environment for all involved. As AFLI continues to expand its internship program, it remains dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders through hands-on experience, mentorship, and international collaboration. This growth not only benefits the students but also strengthens AFLI’s role as a pivotal player in global education and leadership development.
Gov’t to Procure Delivery Beds Following MP Namugga’s Advocacy
In response to an urgent appeal by Gorreth Namugga, the Mawogola South Constituency MP, the Ministry of Health is taking immediate action to address the lack of delivery beds at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital. Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, confirmed plans to procure five new delivery beds for the hospital, which currently has none, forcing mothers to give birth on the floor. This intervention follows Namugga’s request to personally fund a bed for the hospital. Dr. Atwine acknowledged in her letter dated June 12, 2024, that this issue is not isolated to Entebbe Hospital but affects other facilities as well. The Ministry had already signed a contract on May 30, 2023, to procure medical equipment, including delivery beds, for several hospitals facing similar shortages. She assured that the new beds would be delivered to Entebbe Hospital soon. Namugga’s initial request highlighted the dire situation during a Committee meeting on May 28, 2024. The Public Accounts Committee learned that Entebbe Hospital, operating without a single delivery bed, was improvising with a surgical recovery bed to deliver an average of 20 children daily. This shortfall is particularly alarming given that a referral hospital should have at least four delivery beds. Namugga emphasized the importance of addressing this issue to improve maternal and child health and reduce mortality rates. Dr. Atwine also urged Namugga to support efforts to secure a higher budget for Entebbe Hospital, which has been underfunded since its upgrade to a regional referral hospital in 2018/19. The hospital currently receives the budget of a general hospital and operates with only 15.5% of the required staff, exacerbating its operational challenges. Namugga appreciated Dr. Atwine’s prompt response and requested information on other upgraded health facilities that still lack adequate budgets and staffing. She stressed that improving Uganda’s healthcare system is crucial for the nation’s well-being, stating, “A nation can only be deemed good if it has healthy people.” In a subsequent meeting in May 2024, MPs also raised concerns about space shortages at Entebbe Hospital, where expired medicines were being stored alongside active medicines, highlighting the pressing need for better infrastructure and resources. Source: Parliament Watch
Speaker, LOP Ssenyonyi Criticize Government on Wetland Evictions
Barely a week after the National Environment Authority (NEMA) began cracking down on settlements in wetlands, Parliament raised concerns about the process’s execution, particularly in the Lubigi wetland. Among’s Concerns During Wednesday morning’s plenary session, Speaker Anita Among questioned why NEMA allowed people to settle in wetlands only to evict them violently years later. She criticized the apparent negligence of NEMA in failing to prevent initial settlements. “Much as we are not supposed to interfere in the role of NEMA, by the time someone begins to construct and NEMA does not know, then there is a problem,” said Speaker Among. She also highlighted the selective nature of evictions in the Lubigi wetland, pointing out that a police station and a fuel station were spared while long-term residents were evicted. Among urged the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Joel Ssenyonyi, to direct the Committee on Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) to investigate the conduct of NEMA officials during the evictions. Selective Evictions and Accountability Among questioned the inconsistency in NEMA’s actions, noting the presence of commercial structures like malls in the wetland area that were not demolished. “LOP, as head of COSASE, I want you to tell the Committee to interact with NEMA and know what happened,” she ruled. Incident with Ssenyonyi The Speaker condemned the police’s violent treatment of LoP Ssenyonyi during his official visit to the affected areas in Lubigi, Ganda, and Kawala. Ssenyonyi was assessing the impact of the evictions on residents accused of encroaching on the wetlands. “I watched three days back, [and] I actually tried to call LoP but I think he was busy. Opposition has to do an oversight role. LoP had gone to do his role on Hoima road, his team was tear-gassed. We have malls that are being built in the wetlands and someone goes to check, he is tear-gassed. I want to hear from the Government because it is uncalled for,” said Among. NUP’s Response and Support for Victims The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), led by spokesperson Ssenyonyi and Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, visited the wetland to interact with victims. They accused the government agency of ignoring the concerns of the affected residents. Rubongoya highlighted the plight of Ruth Namuddu, an elderly widow whose house and rentals were demolished. NUP has since launched online fundraising to support her. LOP’s Parliamentary Address In Parliament, Ssenyonyi explained that his visit was prompted by petitions from residents seeking safety amidst violent evictions. He criticized NEMA’s double standards, noting that privileged individuals and businesses had their structures spared. “I didn’t want to speak with ignorance, so I went on a fact-finding mission together with MPs from the area. It is unfortunate that we were met with tear gas and live ammunition. We did not go to fight. People settle in an area for years. I met old people, a man who said he has been there for over 40 years,” said Ssenyonyi. He questioned why the government, which NEMA serves, collected taxes from businesses in the wetland while knowing these areas should be protected. He demanded a comprehensive plan for managing all wetlands in the Kampala metropolitan area to clarify who is permitted to settle in these regions. Source: Parliament Watch
MPs Summon Attorney General Over Delayed KCCA Advertising Ordinance
Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) has summoned Attorney General Kiwanuka Kiryowa to explain delays in approving ordinances that would enable the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to impose taxes on advertising billboards around the city. The summons follow concerns raised in the December 2023 Auditor General’s report, which criticized KCCA for failing to implement an ordinance for outdoor advertising, resulting in significant revenue losses. Caleb Mugisha, KCCA’s Director of Legal Services, informed the Committee that despite KCCA’s efforts to begin collecting this revenue, obstacles at the Attorney General’s office have prevented the ordinances from taking effect. Mugisha detailed the timeline, noting that the outdoor advertising ordinance was passed by the Council on July 13, 2023, sent to the Minister of Kampala on July 18, 2023, and forwarded to the Attorney General on September 12, 2023, for scrutiny and clearance. “Despite follow-ups, including a meeting on November 14, 2023, with the Directorate of Legal Affairs and multiple subsequent visits and phone calls, the ordinance remains unapproved,” Mugisha explained. Ntungamo Municipality MP Yona Musinguzi called for collective action to resolve the issue, blaming the government for the delay. “Rampant posters are all over the city. If the Attorney General isn’t helping, we need a concerted voice because the city is littered with unregulated advertisements,” Musinguzi stated. Nathan Itungo, the MP for Kashari South Constituency proposed a meeting with the Attorney General, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. “There are many screens on the streets at night, and their owners are unknown. We need to invite the Attorney General to resolve this issue urgently,” Itungo said. MP Mpindi Bumali, the Persons With Disability Representative supported the proposal, stating, “We need to help KCCA by inviting the Attorney General. Without proper regulation, KCCA cannot effectively manage advertising.” Vice Chairperson of COSASE, and Nakaseke Central Constituency MP Allan Mayanja instructed the Committee clerk to invite the Attorney General and requested KCCA to provide evidence of their communications with the Attorney General’s office. In July 2023, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa issued an ultimatum to KCCA to enact the outdoor advertising ordinance by the end of the month, criticizing the Authority for allowing advertisers to profit without contributing to city development. KCCA has faced legal challenges from the National Outdoor Advertising & Contractors Association Ltd, which sought to quash KCCA’s decision to impose advertising rates, deeming them illegal. In April 2022, the High Court ruled in favor of the advertisers, mandating a refund of unlawfully collected fees since 2011. Despite the ruling, KCCA has struggled to implement the 2019 outdoor advertising ordinance, missing out on significant revenue since April 2020. During the meeting, Musinguzi also suggested resuming revenue collection from trucks and public service vehicles loading and offloading in the city, a practice previously managed by the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA). “We need to explore many sources of revenue. These vehicles contribute to road damage, and collecting fees from them could fund road repairs,” Musinguzi argued. Source: Parliament Watch