MPs on the public accounts committee on commissions, statutory authorities, and state enterprises (PAC-COSASE) have resolved to investigate recruitment irregularities in top positions at Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). Concerns over the lack of national character in the senior positions at the tax body came to the limelight on Friday during the committee’s investigation of the operations of URA following a red flag raised by John Muwanga, the auditor general in his report for the FY 2021/2022. During the meeting, the legislators led by their chairperson Joel Ssenyonyi revealed that the public has alarmed the committee on allegations of corruption, irregular recruitment, promotions, and cases of nepotism within URA. In an earlier meeting with the committee on Thursday, URA commissioner general John Musinguzi Rujoki was tasked to provide a comprehensive list of the over 3,000 staff members employed by the authority. It was during the assessment of this list that the lawmakers raised eyebrows. Ssenyonyi observed that according to the list furnished to the committee, out of the eight senior and highest-ranking officials at URA, six of them hailed from the western region of Uganda only, an outright regional imbalance in the country’s employment. “Six out of the 8 are actually from one region of the country and it is a concern that some members are raising because we must make sure we keep our country together. Things like these become problematic. That is not a good thing. I don’t know what your comment is, mr commissioner general, it is not a representation of Uganda and it is a concern. I know sometimes people will say yes we picked competent and qualified people and that kind of thing, but it is important we keep this country together,” said Ssenyonyi. In response, Musunguzi acknowledged the recruitment discrepancies but quickly attributed it to hidden historical factors, noting that the committee could investigate the matter further to satisfy their curiosity. “Let’s not look on the outside, looks can be deceptive. Let’s interrogate these issues deeply and we’ll understand either the historical perspective or the importance of how we end up here. Just looking at the names and where they come from, yes it doesn’t paint a national character, but there are reasons for this,” said Musinguzi. Nwoya District Woman MP, Judith Achan, and her counterpart, Muwada Nkunyinji of Kyadondo County East faulted URA for outright nepotism and lack of representation of the Muslims in the tax body’s top management respectively. The committee resolved to summon the URA board of directors including the minister of Finance for a meeting scheduled for next week to address concerns of discrepancies in recruitment and promotions. The top positions are in the commissioner general’s office, legal services & board affairs department, customs department, domestic taxes department, tax investigations department, corporate services department, information technology & innovation department, and internal audit department. URA is a government revenue collection agency established by the parliament of Uganda. It is responsible for enforcing, assessing, collecting, and accounting for the various taxes imposed in Uganda, and it prides itself on patriotism, integrity, and professionalism as the core of its mandate. Source : https://observer.ug/news/headlines/78526-commissioner-general-musinguzi-tells-mps-to-probe-reasons-not-nepotism-at-ura
Rukungiri leaders ask Besigye to reconsider retirement
What you need to know: The leaders openly asked Dr. Besigye to consider returning to an active role in politics. They said that his absence from the political arena has created a noticeable void in all political parties. Rukungiri district leaders belonging to the Forum for Democratic Change party (FDC) have appealed to Dr. Kiiza Besigye, urging him to reconsider his decision to retire from politics and run for political office again. They believe that his leadership is essential in resolving the current political impasse and lack of direction within political parties on a national level. During a Born Again Crusade held at Bagahwe Trading Centre in Bugangari sub-county, Rukungiri district 0n July 15, the leaders, including former Rukungiri Municipality MP Mr Roland Mugume Kaginda, Rukungiri district FDC Chairperson Mr Virginia Kyarugahe, former Woman MP Ms. Betty Bamukwasa Muzanira, and former Rujumbura county MP MR Fred Tumuheirwe Turyamuhweza, among others, openly asked Dr. Besigye to consider returning to an active role in politics.
HIV/AIDS Services Among Refugees and Host Communities
The Africa Leadership Institute (AFLI) is executing a comprehensive five-year HIV/AIDS services project in Yumbe District, Uganda. Titled “Attaining and Sustaining HIV Epidemic Control in Refugee and Host Communities,” the initiative aims to achieve the UNAIDS 95:95:95 targets through optimized high-impact interventions. Project Scope and Duration: Timeline: April 1, 2021, to October 2024 Phased Implementation: Initial phase: Six-month intervals Subsequent phases: One year each for the remaining four years Funding and Collaboration: Funding: Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Administration: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Channel: Infectious Disease Institute (IDI) of Makerere University Project Focus: Alignment with National Strategy: Anchored in the national community strategy Goal: Fast-track achievement of the 95:95:95 targets Approach: Effective linkages between facility-based and community-based HIV services Collaborative Framework: Strong partnerships between healthcare facilities and community structures
Thinktank and Policy Advisory Support to Operation Wealth Creation.
AFLI-OWC strategic thinktank advisory support at the Office of the President – APEX Platform, is succeeding in facilitating the utilization of evidence-based, and action-oriented policy recommendations to provide the Executive office, decisions that improve effective implementation of Government of Uganda programs. It promotes good governance solutions to a wide range of the country’s development challenges. Through this goal, AFLI and OWC hope that Government will succeed in attaining better livelihoods and quality of life, with a shared responsibility between the communities and their leaders. Increased community trust, facilitates better decision-making and fosters collaboration thereby ultimately amplifying the AFLI’s impact in creating sustainable progress. Under the Africa Leadership Institute (AFLI) partnership with OWC, AFLI’s Executive Director (E.D)supported by other professional staff and board members, acts as a Principal Advisor to General (Rt.) Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh) who holds the esteemed position of Senior Presidential Advisor for Defense and National Security, while concurrently serving as the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). This partnership aligns with the Ugandan government’s ongoing reforms and restructuring initiatives. In his capacity as OWC-Chief Coordinator, Gen Saleh plays a crucial role within the APEX coordination mechanism, a central body driving Uganda’s economic transformation. The collaboration aims to equip the Executive Office with the necessary technical support advisory services to effectively manage the government apparatus. Through the provision of think tank services, policy analysis, and evidence-based research, AFLI supports the OWC-Chief Coordinator in identifying areas requiring improvement and presenting potential corrective actions to the President and the APEX leadership. Cross Border Pastoralists Resource Sharing Agreement The synthesis report provides a background and situation analysis of… Read More June 15, 2024 Synthesis Report on Karamoja Regional Strategic Development Plan In March 2023, H.E President Museveni restated to Gen Salim… Read More June 10, 2024 Executive Order 03 of 2023 On the ‘Balaalo’ – Migrant cattle keepers, and Anti-cattle Rustling efforts in Northern and North-Eastern Uganda. The arrival of the “Balaalo” – southern migrant cattle farmers… Read More June 10, 2024 Report On The Joint Security Mission By Kenya And Uganda The Joint Security Mission between Uganda and Kenya was initiated… Read More June 10, 2024 Load More
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. https://aflinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/President-Uhuru-Museveni-witness-signing-of-Turkana-Pokot-Karamoja-pact.mp4
Parliamentary Performance Monitoring and Civic Engagement.
The Parliamentary Performance Scorecard and Civic Engagement Project (PAPSCE) aimed to strengthen Uganda’s democratization process by fostering active and informed citizenry capable of demanding accountable and responsive leadership. This objective was pursued through the following key strategies: Generation of data: PAPSCE produced evidence-based assessments of the performance of Members of Parliament (MPs) and the institution of Parliament itself. This data served as a foundation for informed civic engagement. Enhanced civic engagement: The project facilitated constructive interactions between citizens and their elected representatives, fostering a deeper understanding of the legislators’ roles and their performance. Capacity building: PAPSCE equipped partner organizations with the necessary skills and resources to effectively utilize the scorecard findings and sustain the benefits of civic engagement beyond the project’s donor-funded phase. Project Alignment: PAPSCE’s objectives directly aligned with AFLI’s longstanding vision of cultivating a stable, democratic, and prosperous society built upon sound public policies championed by capable and accountable leadership. Impact and Achievements: Enhanced government accountability: PAPSCE demonstrably contributed to improved government accountability towards citizens in various aspects, including electoral processes, diversification of political engagement, strengthened citizen participation in decision-making, and increased access to information. Parliamentary recognition of civil society: The project fostered a more collaborative environment, prompting parliament to acknowledge the value added by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the legislative domain. This included an increased willingness to engage in public scrutiny. Operationalizing constitutional principles: PAPSCE’s bold initiative of regularly assessing Parliament and disseminating reports to the public directly supported the constitutional right to access information, further strengthened by the Access to Information Act. Specific Outcomes: Improved parliamentary practices: The scorecard served as a catalyst for Parliament to track attendance of committees and plenary sessions by MPs, monitor responses to questions and directives from the Executive, and enhance the productivity of committees through the efforts of the institution’s Monitoring and Evaluation Department. Adoption of best practices: Inspired by PAPSCE’s approach of recording and transcribing committee proceedings, Parliament implemented this practice for documentation purposes, particularly within accountability committees.
Why Bukedea poll probe troubles Speaker Among
What you need to know: Poll-related violence and vote theft have become a part of Uganda’s election fabric under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, but President Museveni recently introduced a new dimension when he wrote a letter describing how flabbergasted he was by the extent to which things deteriorated during the by-election to replace Bukedea District’s chairperson. Derrick Kiyonga writes that this could be a veiled dig at Speaker Anita Among, who is seen as a powerbroker across Teso Sub-region. On June 27, Mr Mike Mukula, the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) vice chairperson for eastern Uganda fired off a tweet, bragging how he had received Sam Oita and Stephen Omagor into the ruling party. Mr Oita, who belonged to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, had contested in the Bukedea by-election in which the NRM’s Mary Akol is said to have benefitted from unprecedented violence and shocking electoral thuggery perpetrated by henchmen in the police and other security organs. Mr Omagor, who had also wanted to run for the seat following the death of Moses Olemukan last year, did not make it to the ballot.
Inter-Agency Co-ordination and Advocacy meeting
AFLI in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Department of Geological Survey and Mines held an inter-agency coordination and advocacy meetings with state actors, mining investors and CLAs/CDTs to dialogue the resolution of emergent insecurity and human rights incidences, environment and mineral resource management issues on 27th June 2023 at Yellowstone Hotel in Moroto. This meeting was a platform for presenting the emerging human rights and resource governance advocacy messages raised by the indigenous pastoral communities around mineral resource governance and benefits sharing. The meeting targeted Communal Land Associations (CLA’s) and Community Development Trusts (CDTs) members, representatives from mining investor companies, artisanal miners, government officials, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) representatives. Present in the meeting were Moroto District Local Government officials, the Commissioner Ministry of Energy and Mineral development, Representatives from the Office of the Regional Inspector of mines. Also present were CSO’s like Karamoja Development Forum, Dynamic Agro Pastoralist Development Organization (DADO). Also present were Executives of Communal Land Associations from Rupa and Loyoro. Mining companies like Sunbelt, Lomilo and Sons, Jinja Marble, local Artisanal mining license holders were also present. One of the main purposes of the meeting was to bring stakeholders in the mining sector together to sensitize them on the new Mining and Minerals Act 2022 in order to have a common understanding on the mining industry. Other objectives included to provide an opportunity to the stakeholders in the mining sector to interact and know each other, to promote harmony, coordination and good working relations with various stakeholders in the mining sector among others. During the dialogue, there was a general consensus on the need for the existing investors to positively impact the community through employment of the locals in the mining companies and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to translate the Mineral Act 2022 to the local Language for the natives to be able read and interpret.
Assessment of Parliament as an institution and Members of Parliament
The Scorecard was a tool used to provide critical information about the performance of Parliament and MPs on an annual basis The Parliamentary Performance Scorecard and Civic Engagement Project The Parliamentary Performance Scorecard and Civic Engagement Project (PAPSCE) aimed to enhance the democratization process in Uganda through facilitating “Active and Informed citizenry to demand for accountable and responsive leadership”. This was achieved through: The Project objectives were derived from AFLI’s earlier vision of “a stable, democratic and prosperous community rooted on appropriate public policies championed by an effective and accountable leadership”. The Project contributed to improving government accountability towards citizens including electoral processes, diversifying political engagement, improving participatory decision making, strengthening citizens’ engagement for government accountability and improving access to information. It impacted on behaviour of Parliament to recognize the value addition role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the legislative sector and willingness to open up Parliament to public scrutiny. This took AFLI’s bold step to assess Parliament periodically and making reports available to the Public in operationalization of the Constitution which makes access to information a right and the Access to Information Act which operationalizes the Constitution. The Scorecard influenced Parliament to track attendance of committees and the plenary by MPs, response to questions and directives by the Executive and taking stock of productivity of committees of Parliament by the Monitoring and Evaluation Department of Parliament. Furthermore, learning from recording and transcribing proceedings of committees of Parliament, Parliament adopted the same for purpose of documenting accountability committees of parliament. AFLI through this project supported the development of eight (8) teaching modules on parliamentary studies at Uganda Management Institute (UMI), which will be critical in strengthening capacity building for MPs, parliamentary staff and members of the public who are interested in enhancing their knowledge of parliamentary work.
Promotion of lasting peace, human security and socio-economicdevelopment
Encouraging a common understanding of the historical roots and identity of Ateker people to reduce violence and attain peace, security and development Ateker Cross Border Leadership Initiative for Peace, Security & Development in Uganda, Kenya, Sudan & Ethiopia: The project was linked to the ‘Ateker’ people who are the Itung’a speaking group of Nilotes (formerly referred to as Nilo-Hamites) whose cradle is historically traced in the Egyptian Nile valley and to a land between the two rivers of the Blue Nile and White Nile of present-day Sudan. They currently inhabit the borderland areas (the most conflict-prone zone-3) straddling across four countries of Kenya, Uganda, Sudan and Ethiopia) in the Eastern and Horn of Africa region. On the whole, the region experiences recurrent widespread cattle rustling, lawlessness, criminality, banditry and generalized insecurity. The objective of the AFLI project implemented under the auspices of the United Nations-International Conference on the Great Lakes region (ICGLR), in collaboration with the ministries of foreign affairs of Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia, was to contribute to the formulation of a comprehensive and practical framework for collaboration and promotion of lasting peace, human security and socio-economic development among the Ateker communities and their immediate neighbours. The Project was funded under the EU Instrument for stability (IFS). Through the intervention, AFLI succeeded in promoting a common understanding of the historical roots and identity of Ateker people in the four countries in order to reduce violence and attain peace, security and development. The Ateker people (armed pastoralists) with their local governments and grazing community networks were able to establish a collaboration framework called “tobongu’ lore”- “Come back home”. Long after the end of AFLI’s project, the Ateker people and their leaders from all the four countries, have continued to meet annually in Lodwar in Turkana – Kenya to discuss the promotion of their culture, peace and joint efforts to facilitate, cross border development. This collaboration has further resulted into President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, signing a Joint cross-border Development Framework for Karamoja and Turkana in 2019 facilitated by UNDP and witnessed by several Development Partners.