Project Description
In the wake of Uganda’s journey towards constitutional democracy emerged a surge of optimism grounded in the principles of separation of powers, public accountability, and citizen-centred governance. Despite this, Uganda continues to face persistent accountability and governance challenges. In response to this, UNNGOF is implementing the ‘Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement and Public Accountability (SCEPA)’ Project – a four-year initiative designed to rekindle the spirit of active citizenship, foster accountability and strengthen civil society. By empowering citizens, and addressing the unique needs of marginalized groups, the project aspires to create an engaged, resilient, and informed citizenry. This proposal outlines a comprehensive strategy that fortifies both the demand and supply side of accountability.
The project targets three intervention areas i.e. accountability, civic engagement, and rights. It seeks to empower citizens with knowledge about their civic rights and establish a robust civic organizational infrastructure to demand accountability. By creating spaces for regular citizen interaction with duty-bearers and strengthening government accountability mechanisms, the initiative nurtures a democratic culture and accountability.
UNNGOF’s approach is to empower citizens and strengthening civic organisations to engage and hold government accountable on the demand side and strengthening the capacity of government institutions to be more responsive to citizens’ aspirations, on the supply side. UNNGOF is working closely with 14 CSO Democracy Hubs, Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), District Local Governments and the Media.
This project contributes to the achievement of SDGs 1 (poverty), 3 (health), 4 (education), 5 (gender), 10 (inequality) and 16 (peace, justice and institutions) and to the implementation of the NDP III national programmes on human capital development, governance and security, public service transformation, community mobilization and mindset change.
Project Goal, Objectives and Expected Results
The project’s overall goal is to contribute towards an organized and engaged citizenry actively holding public institutions accountable. The project has three specific inter-related outcomes:
- Youth, women and other marginalized groups empowered and organized to meaningfully shape outcomes of decision-making processes
- Strengthened engagement between state and non-state actors on legal and policy and institutional frameworks to advance civic engagements
- Strong, healthy and well-coordinated CSOs able to influence governance and accountability processes
With empowered citizens actively engaging government on accountability, and responsive public institutions, as well as strong, healthy, and well-coordinated CSOs the Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement and Public Accountability (SCEPA) project will contribute to an organised and engaged citizenry actively holding public institutions accountable.