Strategic Focus 2010 - 15

 

 

Strategic objective 1:             Improved Transparency and accountability in Uganda‘s Health sector

 

 

 

The need to improve the health of Ugandans is urgent. Mortality and morbidity remain high with health indicators showing the need for urgent action. The National Development Plan reiterates Uganda’s commitment to improving the quality of life of the poor by providing essential services and building human capital through provision of primary health care, water and sanitation, primary education and preserving the environment. This intention is well articulated in policy papers of the health sector. However, the National Integrity Survey (2008) shows that the health sector ranks among the highest in the absence of good governance and accountability thus undermining Uganda’s ability to attain the noble intentions set out in the national health policy and the health sector strategic plan (HSSP)II 2005. This is in part due to lack of a supportive legal and policy environment. Experience also shows that many policies and legal provisions in respect to corruption fully enforced despite their existence.    

 

 

 

Transparency International Uganda will contribute towards the attainment of the HSSP through the promotion of transparency, integrity and accountability in the health sector. In northern Uganda the focus will be on the Peace Recovery and Development Programme (PRDP). The following strategies will be used.

 

 

 

Strategy 1:      Improved policy and legal environment for good governance in the health sector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transparency International Uganda will work with stakeholders to improve the legal and policy environment by implementing the following strategies/key actions.

 

 

 

Key Actions

 

 

 

• Conduct research and tracking studies to inform advocacy for reforms and action
• Carry out bribery index focusing on the health sector
• Disseminate results of internally and externally generated research
• Organize policy dialogues on good governance with policy makers and duty bearers in the health sector
• Conduct policy reviews to support advocacy for reforms in the health sector
• Commission position papers on improving governance in the health sector
• Organise Annual Anti Corruption Awards for best practice
• Disseminate policies and legislations on health
• Establish and strengthen networks and partnerships for improved governance in the health sector
• Build the capacity of partners and civil society organizations to effectively promote good governance in the health sector
• Supporting CSOs to mainstream transparency and  accountability issues in their work
• Experience and knowledge sharing
• Campaigning (anti corruption week etc)
• Documentation of good practices for replication and scaling up

 

Strategy 2:      Community based structures for transparency and accountability in the health sector established/strengthened

 

 

 

The poor are most affected when there is lack of good governance and accountability. The loss of funds intended for basic health services affect communities’ access and affordability. The Commission of Inquiry into the mismanagement and corruption in Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TBfound that funds intended for services did not reach intended communities. Despite the high risk for corruption and loss of resources to improve access and quality health services there are no effective community structures and mechanisms to safe guard public resources from theft through corruption.

 

 

 

Through targeted action, Transparency International Uganda will mobilize and empower communities to take practical steps to eliminate corruption in the health sector.

 

 

 

Key Actions

 

 

 

• Establish and strengthen community voluntary accountability committees
• Introduce and promote citizen score card on health services in health centres
• Sensitise communities on corruption on its impact on health service delivery
• Print and disseminate IEC on transparency and accountability
• Publish and disseminate guidelines for promoting accountability and transparency in the health sector
• Carry out training of mass media in reporting against corruption for results
• Support the development and implementation of Pacts between communities and local governments/ service providers
• Strengthen the capacity of health unit management committees

 

Strategic Objective 2: Improved transparency and accountability in the Education sector

 

 

 

The introduction of Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education Programmes in Uganda has led to increased access to primary and secondary education in Uganda. Following the establishment of UPE, enrolment in primary schools has increased from 2.1 million in 1997 to 7.7 million in 2005[1] million. The number of classrooms has also increased from 28,000 in 1997 to 75,228 in 2005 while the teacher-pupil ratio has reduced from 100:1 in 1997 to 54:1 in 2005[2] and new policies have been introduced to improve efficiency[3]^.           The Education Act, 2008 seeks to improve the performance of the sector by making primary education and highlighting the role of the different stakeholders in promoting education.

 

 

 

The National Budget allocation to the education sector has progressively increased over the years. In Financial Year2006/07 Shs.708.4 billion were allocated to the sector representing 18.3% of Uganda Government expenditure, compared to Shs.635.6 billion in the financial year2005/06 However, this has not translated into improvement as evidenced by high drop out rates, low completion rates and low achievement. The National Integrity Survey (2008) of the Inspectorate of Government established that education is one of the sectors affected by corruption and lack of integrity.

 

 

 

Transparency International Uganda will work with stakeholders to promote transparency and accountability by addressing upstream policy and down stream community issues that affect the sector.

 

 

 

Strategy 1: Improved efficiency and effectiveness in the utilization of financialand none financial resources in the education sector

 

 

 

Transparency International Uganda will promote accountability in the education sector on the basis of the Education Government Act, procurement and disposal of public assets act as well as other laws and policies that govern transparency, accountability in the education sector in Uganda.

 

 

 

 

 

Key Actions

 

 

 

• Carry out tracking studies on the utilization of resources in the education sector
• Develop and implement advocacy campaigns based on tracking studies
• Commission position papers on improving governance in the education sector
• Disseminate policies and guidelines for strengthening accountability and transparency in the education sector
• Establish and strengthen networks and partnerships for improved governance in the education sector
• Campaigning (anti corruption week etc)
• Documentation of good practices in the education sector for replication and scaling up

 

 

 

 

 

Strategy 2:      Structures for promoting transparency and accountability in the education sector at community levels strengthened

 

 

 

A recent study by Transparency International Uganda, “Leakages amidst Scarcity: An assessment report on the Governance and utilization of primary education resources in Uganda” found that there is absence of accountability structures at community level, yet where such committees existed, corruption was limited. The study also found high teacher absenteeism, lack of supervision, loss of funds as well as lack of avenues for promoting accountability and transparency in schools. Transparency International Uganda will strengthen accountability structures as a means to improve the governance in the education sub sector.

 

Key Actions

 

 

 

• Disseminate findings of tracking studies and the guidelines for school management committees
• Sensitise school management committees on their roles and responsibilities and equip them to effectively play these roles
• Sensitise communities on corruption and its impact on education service delivery
• Print and disseminate advocacy materials and abridged version of UPE guidelines especially with regard to fees and accountability mechanism
• Sensitize parents, pupils and the general community on the importance of education and their roles in maintaining children to school
• Capacity building for the school governing bodies and the communities and facilitate continuous interaction between school governing bodies and other stakeholders
• Conduct Anti-corruption school quiz and essay writing contests targeting school pupils to express their experiences with corruption in everyday school life and their perceptions and strategies to fight corruption
• Produce a documentary on school enrolment, retention, teaching and learning process and parents/community involvement highlighting issues of transparency and accountability in the education sector
• Community mobilization through theatre for development (use music to identifying corruption risks in the education sector, dance and drama)

 

 

 

Strategic Objective 3: Improved transparency, integrity and accountability in water supply and sanitation sector

 

 

 

Water is a resource without substitute and is vital for the population’s health, food security, energy and our ecosystem. Rural and peri-urban areas use protected springs, hand pump, equipped shallow wells or boreholes as water sources. The decentralization in Uganda holds potential threats for accountability and integrity in the water sector. In situations where community or civil society participation are not well streamlined, there is the risk of local water management structures being dominated by powerful local interests and thus hijacked by the corrupt. While the civil society is growing in Uganda, it is yet to effectively monitor the funds going to the water sector.TIU will use strategies that promote civil society participation and elimination of administrative or petty corruption and other forms of corruption in the sector.

 

 

 

Strategy 1: Improve governance in the water sector

 

 

 

Despite the high risk of corruption in the water sector, many people do not understand these risks, the impact and how best to address them for improved governance and accountability in the sector. In view of this TIU will undertake the following actions to improve governance in the water sector.

 

 

 

 

 

Key Actions

 

• Carry out tracking studies to identify leakages and develop risk maps to support advocacy for reforms in the governance of the sector
• Advocate for strengthening legal and regulatory oversight
• Introduce integrity pacts in the water sector
• Create awareness among communities on the impact of corruption
• Promote transparency, integrity and accountability among private water suppliers
• Establish networks to promote accountability across East African Community member states
• Build capacity of communities to monitor the quality of service delivery in the sector.
• Use of citizens’ platforms aimed at increasing interaction between communities and leaders.
• Capacity building of community water users/management committees

 

 

 

Strategic Objective 4:           Improved transparency and accountability in the private sector

 

 

 

Corruption has the demand and supply side. The private sector in Uganda and the world over is normally on the supply side whereby private sector businesses pay bribes in order to influence decisions in their favour. In Uganda, 72% of the national budget goes for the procurement of goods, services and works from the private sector to enable government run and provide services to its people. The private sector has been cited in the form of paying bribes for public contracts, counterfeiting, and other forms of corruption

 

In 2008 Uganda was ranked 126^th in Transparency International Corruption Index, an indication of high risk for corruption in public services and private sector. The National Integrity Survey identifies private sector as a willing player in the corruption scheme. Corruption increases the cost of business and services, compromises quality of services and impacts negatively on the lives of the people. Transparency International Uganda will use the following strategies to combat corruption in the private sector.

 

 

 

Strategy 1: Increase public awareness of laws, policies and the importance of combating corruption in the private sector.

 

 

 

 

 

Most private sector players lack information on laws and policies relating to governance as well as procedures for doing business with government. In addition, the private sector has quite often been reported as willing payers on bribes without evaluating their actions’ impact on their businesses and the business environment in general.

 

 

 

Key Actions

 

 

 

 

 

• Carry out studies on the nature and impact of corruption on businesses
• Advocate for legal and policy reforms to address corruption in the private sector
• Implement sensitization campaigns on radio and television
• Print and disseminate messages on corruption in the private-public activities
• Identify and sensitize informal and formal businesses on corruption
• Organise Annual Integrity Awards for best practice

 

 

 

Strategy 2:      Improve business practices and principles for combating corruption in public-private activities

 

 

 

 

 

Many small, medium and large businesses in Uganda face, almost on a daily basis, pressures to pay in order to do business with government. Unfortunately, they are in a weak position to resist such pressures.

 

 

 

 

 

Key Actions

 

• Support private sector organizations to develop and implement ethical codes of practice
• Support the development and implementation of integrity pacts in contracting (public procurement) among private sector organisations
• Strengthen business associations like KACITA, Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Uganda Manufacturers Association and Private Sector Foundation to address corruption in their business activities
• Support sharing of good business practices across business entities, professional bodies and associations
• Support professional bodies to develop/review/strengthen ethical codes of conduct aimed at deterring members from engaging in corruption practices and build internal mechanism to monitor and deal with errant members

 

 

 

Strategic Objective 5: Good governance and democracy improved

 

 

 

The Global corruption barometer reports for 2008 and 2009 identify political institutions as the most corrupt in the public perception. Undue influence on political processes results to unequal development, capacities and access to rights among citizens when political institutions and parties and processes that should ideally safeguard the interests of the disadvantaged citizens become targets for manipulation to create and perpetuate unfair advantage leading to political corruption which undermines development and the struggle to over come poverty.

 

 

 

Democracy and good governance is severely undermined by political corruption which in most cases leads to state capture exhibited by governments of the day representing private not public interests affecting service delivery especially to the poor who solely depend on public service for survival. As multi party democracy is progressively taking root in Uganda following the amendment of the electoral law and holding of the first multiparty elections in February 2006 there is a need to address the issue of political party and election financing to enhance good governance and deepen democracy in this emerging democracy.

 

 

 

Strategy 1: Establish an effective benchmark for political party and election finance transparency in Uganda.

 

 

 

Transparency in Political Parties and election financing is critical in the democratization processes as well as ensuring good governance. Money in politics in general and Political Parties and election financing if not well addressed may pose some risks such as; uneven playing field giving some actors undue advantage over others which affects competition, those who donate funds controlling the politicians they funds seeking for rewards like tenders and favorable policies to cater for their private interests, use of public funds to fund partisan/personal campaigns bleeding political corruption and state capture.

 

 

 

Key Actions

 

 

 

• Hold meetings bringing together state and non state actor and other stakeholders to identify and agree on a minimum set of indicators for political finance transparency at party and national level
• Workshops and meetings to bring together anticorruption, elections and political parties’ oversight bodies to advocate for adoption of the NURU tool as a benchmark for party finance regulatory frame work.
• Carry out monitoring of the electoral process and issue reports on the exercise
• Production and dissemination of IEC materials on political party and election financing as provided by the relevant laws in the land

 

• Organize and facilitate public debates among parties and general public to mainstream anti corruption in election actors.
• Facilitate the development of political parties/ elections code of conduct.

 

 

 

Strategy 2: Reduce risk of state capture through citizen demand for political finance transparency

 

 

 

Empowerment of citizens to carry out their Constitutional mandate/ obligation of safeguarding public resources by ensuring that money is not used to bias the outcome of elections. The public should therefore be at forefront of any reform to reverse trend where money is wrongly used by some politicians to buy their way into public offices and in return serve their personal interests.

 

 

 

Key Actions

 

 

 

• Public education on the effects of corruption in political parties and election financing through media campaign i.e. radio and TV Programmes.
• Production of political finance transparency index
• Carry out evidence based advocacy and involve citizens in the monitoring of political finance transparency
• Citizen engagement of political parties and state actors e.g. electoral commission, anticorruption agencies and legislature to sustain the demand for transparency and accountable political system in the country
• Engagement of the media to build political support for reform in political party and election financing
• Organize public forums to reflect on new developments and map out way forward

 

Strategy 3: Increase transparency, accountability and integrity of Uganda’s electoral processes

 

 

 

Transparency, accountability and integrity in electoral processes are important for promoting good governance and a mechanism for the population to determine its leadership. Unfortunately, Uganda’s electoral history has been characterized by inappropriate use of state resources ranging from vehicles to finances and public officers including armed forces openly taking sides in campaigns. In addition, vote rigging, bribery and vote buying have been proved by courts of law to be so common as to undermine the development of a democratic society. The resultant effects of these unfortunate practices have been disputes, armed conflicts and systematic corruption and abuse of state power and authority all of which undermine the legitimacy of governments.

 

 

 

Transparency International Uganda will collaborate with other organizations to contribute to the development of a democratic culture through a multipronged approach that focuses on

 

 

 

Key Actions

 

 

 

• Monitor voter registration processes through computer analyses to establish authenticity of the national voter register
• Conduct people-to-list test to inform processes of weeding out ghost voters and polling stations
• Carry out list-to-people tests to contribute to efforts to have a national register free from ghost voters
• Monitor the campaign process to ensure that incidences that undermine democratic processes are minimized (e.g. vote buying, gender violence, intimidation, violence)
• Observe national elections and produce report and comments on the elections in line with international and regional standards and instruments
• Publish and disseminate reports on the electoral process
• Hold elected leaders accountable through monitoring and evaluation of progress towards implementing campaign manifestos and promises

 

 

 

Strategic Objective 6: Transparency and accountability in the extractive industry enhanced

 

 

 

The mining industry in Uganda is relatively small but growing. Government recognizes the existence of several commercially important mineral deposits and undertook comprehensive exploration surveys of non oil minerals in with positive results being released in 2009. The main minerals include gold, gypsum, cement, iron ore, kaolin, raw steel, tin, tungsten, tantalite and vermiculite among others.

 

 

 

The recent discovery of oil in Uganda is a blessing in that the country stands to boost its struggle to reduce poverty through increased revenues and subsequently investment in the economic and social infrastructure and other key projects for economic growth and development. The oil deposits discovered so far put the country at a potential of producing one billion barrels yet exploration in other areas is under way.

 

 

 

The discovery of oil has come with high expectation and excitement among the people. However, inadequate flow of information in the sector has resulted into speculation and misinformation and may be a future source of civil unrest and instability. Similarly lack of information about the legal framework, opportunities, obligations or responsibilities to participate in the industry increases possibility for the mismanagement of the oil and mineral resources.

 

 

 

Transparency International network has over the years developed experience in promoting transparency and accountability in the extractive industry. In February 2009 Transparency International carried out a desk review of transparency in the oil sector in Uganda and came up with a set of recommendations for action by Transparency International Uganda and other actors. The findings and recommendations were discussed at a one day workshop and key follow up actions were generated. During the implementation of this strategic plan TIU will implement actions that will promote transparency and accountability in the oil sector.

 

 

 

 

 

Strategy 1:      Increase Demand for Transparency and Accountability in the Extractive Industry.

 

 

 

Citizen participation in promoting transparency and accountability is a constitutional duty. Article 17(I) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda charges the citizens with the duty and responsibility to combat corruption and misuse or wastage of public property while subsection (IV) of the same article charges the citizens to protect and preserve public property. Section 5.1.3 of Uganda’s National Oil and Gas policy recognizes the need for openness and access to information as fundamental rights and as a prerequisite for transparency and accountability.

 

 

 

Despite these provisions, citizens, civil society organizations and other stakeholders are unable to effectively perform this function due to lack of information, capacity and confidence to do so. It’s from such background that Transparency International Uganda Chapter intends to intervene and bridge that gap through;

 

 

 

Key actions

 

 

 

• Build capacity of CBO to mobilize citizens to demand transparency and accountability in the sector
• Track and monitor new development new development in the sector
• Establish a blog where to upload information on the sector for easy dissemination and accessibility
• Production of quarterly bulletin about new developments in the sector to increase knowledge on the sector
• Conduct media campaign to create awareness among the citizenry to carry out their oversight role in promoting accountability and transparency
• Establish/ strengthen voluntary accountability committees

 

 

 

Strategy 2: Advocate for Improved Policy and Legal Frame Work to Support Transparency and Accountability in the Extractive Industry

 

 

 

The guiding principles for the National Oil and Gas Policy for Uganda include; using finite resources to create lasting benefits to society, efficient resource management transparency and accountability, competitiveness and productivity, protection of the environment and conservation of biodiversity, spirit of co-operation and capacity and institution building. These are very good principles that when followed there will be maximum benefit from revenues generated from the extractive industry. However, much of the provisions of the policy are not known to the key stakeholders and the citizenry, making it difficult for them to participate in one way or the other. In addition, lack of transparency has by necessity left gaps that may require to be filled with input from all stakeholders.

 

 

 

 

 

TIU therefore will:

 

 

 

Key Actions

 

 

 

• Carry out policy review /research to identify gaps and advocate for policy change
• Translate existing policies and laws in local languages for easy understanding of the stakeholders
• Organize policy forums and round tables to discuss with policy makers, academicians, duty bearers thematic issues in the sector and make recommendations to the policy makers
• Facilitate introduction of extractive industry transparency initiative (EITI) in Uganda
• Participate and promote “publish what you pay” (PWYP) in Uganda through the PWYP Uganda chapter
• Share experiences and best practices on transparency in the extractive industry.

 

Strategic Objective 7:           TIU is sustainable, efficient and effective in promoting good governance, integrity and accountability

 

 

 

Transparency International Uganda has over the years grown into an active organization in the promotion of good governance and integrity in Uganda. However, the scale and nature of corruption needs a strong organization with abilities and means to effectively contribute to good governance. During the implementation of the strategic plan the following will be undertaken to improve the capacity of TIU to deliver on this strategic plan.

 

 

 

Strategy 1: improve Management and Governance Systems

 

 

 

Transparency International Uganda will strengthen its governance and management structure and systems to be able to effectively implement priorities in the strategic plan in relation to combating corruption and its effects.