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MS Uganda Annual Report 2007

SUMMARY

Social-political context
Uganda’s 2007 economic growth rates increased to 7.6% compared to 5.1 last year due to good performance of construction, transport, commodities, wholesale and retail sectors. The agricultural sector proved to be one of the slowest growing sectors. Employing 80% of Ugandans, this sector will further suffer from the termination of the expanded NAADS programme. Poverty reduced from 36% of the population living below the poverty line of 1 USD a day in 2005 to 31% in 2006, but rapid population growth (3.57%) slowed this improvement. Due to conflict, the North registered the smallest poverty reduction and is twice as poor as the rest of Uganda.

Decentralisation remains a key government policy, crucial for implementing other important policies e.g. UPE and agricultural modernisation. Achievements included the Decentralisation Policy Strategic Framework (DPSF), the Local Government Sector Investment Plan (LGSIP) and improved local government revenue sources. Comprehensive civic education for decentralisation will be drawn up. Challenges include flouting of tendering, massive UPE inefficiencies and over-reliance of local government on central government funding.

The East African Community (EAC) has a 3-year-old Customs Union and with entry of Burundi and Rwanda, 5 members. The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) may enable EU industries to outcompete EAC’s, worsening unemployment and poverty.

Uganda hosted the bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on 23rd – 25th of November reiterated the Commonwealth’s fundamental values (e.g. democracy, good governance). It re-profiled Uganda and stimulated some sectors, but also had negative effects e.g. cut ministry budgets.

The MSiS Partnership against poverty emphasises democracy to eradicate poverty. In 2007, MS Uganda gave priority to drawing up the 2008-11 Country Programme Strategy (CSP) shaped by the new MS Democracy Focus, and fully involved stakeholders (e.g. partners and development workers (DWs)). The Country Programme Strategy 2008-11 is consistent with the Government of Uganda’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan.

Impact of MS programme
MS Uganda’s partner portfolio in 2007 consisted of 33 civil society organisations and 3 governmental partners in Uganda and Southern Sudan. To strengthening their capacity and make an impact within the frame of MS Uganda’s Policy Paper 2001-11, the partners where assisted by 4 Program Officers, 17 Development Workers and the administration unit of the Country Office.

The 2001-2007 MS Uganda Policy Paper had two interlinked development objectives; 1: Capacity building for partners in advocacy and community development initiatives to reduce poverty and 2: Strengthening the capacity of CSOs to practise and demand good governance in their communities.

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