Civil society in Uganda: Operations, challenges and
recommendationsRicardo John Munyegera,
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. phil. Carmen Schmidt 11th December 2014
Zivilgesellschaft in der EU/ Comparing Civil Societies
The Hybrid Political System vs. Civil society
Civil Society – history Rejuvenation of Civil Society Resurgence of Civic Activism –post 2006 Civil society challenges Threats facing the Civil Society in Uganda Achievements of the Civil Society Key Recommendations Questions Sources
Presentation overview
First, CS is a specific type of social action.
Second, CS as an area or sphere connected to, but separate from, economy, state, and the private sphere.
Third, CS as the core of a draft or project that still has some utopian features.“CSOs connection to the west! Regulated in Uganda as
they're not regulated in Netherlands”!
Civil society definitions
At start!
By 1918, the civil society had started – T-Unions.
1. CSOs from 1920 – 1962. 2. CSOs between 1963 – 1966 & 1967 – 1985. 3. The pre-1986 period: the years of turmoil 4. Post 1986: Proliferation of NGOs in service
delivery, i.e., Civic associations in Governance like NGOs, labor movements, professional associations.
Other influential civic collectivities like the Traditional /cultural institutions, religious organizations.
Civil Society – History
The post-independence days of turmoil leading to 1986.
Museveni & the National Resistance Movement –NRM.
Restoration of a semblance of rule of law. Setting up of institutions of governance and the
new constitution. Periodic elections and greater citizen participation. Liberalization of the media and respect for media
freedoms.
Rejuvenation of Civil Society
Some of the CSOsACCU Anti Corruption Coalition of UgandaACFODE Action for DevelopmentADF Allied Democratic FrontCSO(s) Civil Society Organization(s)CBO(s) Community Based Organization(s)DENIVA Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary AssociationsDFID Department for International DevelopmentFHRI Foundation for Human Rights InitiativeFIDA Federation of Women Lawyers in UgandaFOWODE Forum for Women in DemocracyFUE Federation of Uganda EmployersHIPC Highly-Indebted Poor Countries InitiativeHURINET Human Rights NetworkIGG Inspector General of GovernmentUWESO Uganda Women’s Effort to Save OrphansMFPED Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic DevelopmentNOTU National Organization of Trade UnionsTASO The AIDS Support OrganizationNUDIPU National Union of People With Disabilities in UgandaPEAP Poverty Eradication Action PlanPMA Plan for the Modernization of AgricultureNGO(s) Non-Governmental Organization(s)SAPs Structural Adjustment ProgrammesSWAPs Sector -Wide ApproachesTFM The Free MovementUDN Uganda Debt NetworkUJCC Uganda Joint Christian CouncilUMSC Uganda Muslim Supreme CouncilUWONET Uganda Women’s Network
Why did a resurgence of activism occur?Need to fill gaps created by an unresponsive political elite.A change in strategy on the international development actors. Political process monitoring & advocacy; e.g. citizen manifesto –the
political scorecards –ACODE & the youth manifesto. Electoral process monitoring & advocacy; the campaign for
electoral reforms –CCEDU & election monitoring. Budget process monitoring and social accountability initiatives Civic Education – government neglect & civil societies takeover. Human Rights advocacy – LGBTs, Human Rights watch etc. Anti-Corruption Initiatives – Black Monday movement. Economic challenges – Walk to work demonstrations.
The Resurgence of Civic Activism – post 2006
“many people have been arrested, jailed, sentenced and mass media outlets banned. Within this chaotic scenario; the civil society has
managed to register considerable success through the years”.
Legal restrictions: The NGO Act & the role of the NGO board & Public Order & Management Bill (POMB), 2009
Hostile government rhetoric towards NGOs.The police and security agencies – disruption & arrests.Other Challenges facing Civil Society in Uganda;
Donor focus on NGOs at the expense of civic associations & rise of “professional activists”.
Lack of strong connection with elitist NGOs & grassroots.Dependency on external aid Inadequate intra and international synergies –lack of
coordination, duplication of efforts, competing agendas.
Threats Facing CSOs
Civic education – many go to villages. Successful court cases won – LGBTs, child
sacrifice. Educational reforms - Salary increment. Police and judicial reforms – rule of law. Provided alternative politicians – many are
MPs now. Social bills challenged up-to-date – marriage
and POMB.
Achievements of CSOs
Democratic & electoral reforms – parties & EC. Environmental laws and reforms passed & NEMA
formed – Mabira forest saved! Corruption & bribery checked as citizens are
sensitized. Health reforms – salary increment & AIDS fight. Increased women participation in politics. Mass media support & mobilization. 80% by-
elections won.
Continuation - 1
Maintain grassroots engagement of citizens. Develop constructive linkages with traditional civic
associations. Build and strengthen national and international
coalitions to defend CSO space. Maintain constructive engagement with the
government to dispel perception that civil society is preoccupied with a regime-change agenda.
Explore avenues of local mobilization of resources through membership structures to enhance independence and perceptions of independence.
Recommendations for CSOs
a) What would be the best ways of CSOs targeting economic challenges instead of duplicating there activities on democracy and human rights?
b) Many CSOs have a short lifespan; what would be the best strategy in there long term survival?
Questions
Many thanks for your time.
http://www.ned.org/events/civil-society-and-the-quest-for-democracy-in-uganda-threats-and-opportunities
http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org/programs/aj/police/papers/presentations/role_of_civil_society_in_police_reform_in_uganda.pdf
http://www.refugeelawproject.org/files/briefing_papers/Soroti_consultative_report.pdf http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/uganda0812ForUpload.pdf http://www.aspeninstitute.org/sites/default/files/content/docs/pubs/Civil_Society_Advocacy_in_Ugan
da.pdf http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajia/article/viewFile/57218/45606 http://www.intrac.org/blog.php/31/eight-challenges-for-civil-society-in-2013 www.saiia.org.za/.../168-civil-society-participation-in-uganda-s-aprm-pr... http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/05/19/uganda-walk-to-work-protests-in-photos/ http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/04/201142831330647345.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6548107.stm http://ibnlive.in.com/news/uganda-rioters-target-indians/38504-2-7.html http://news.ugo.co.ug/teachers-see-coming/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1385759/Ugandan-police-spray-protesters-PINK-paint-Kampala.html
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Civil-society-wants-law-on-right-to-health/-/688334/2548162/-/12ikj4m/-/index.html
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Land-conflicts-affecting-war-recovery---NGO/-/688334/2548092/-/1323k89/-/index.html
J. Oloka-Onyango in Civil Society , Democratization and Foreign Donors in Contemporary Uganda. M. Mamdani, Imperialism and Fascism in Uganda. Bazaara Nyangabyaki & John Jean Barya, Civil Society and Governance in Uganda. Bazaara Nyangabyaki’ Contemporary Civil Society and the Democratization Process in Uganda .
Sources