If Citizens Want Change, They Must Be That Change

Emma Jones

3 June 2011

opinion

Ugandan politics and government accountability is a prominent point of daily discussion with many debating the shortcomings and success of national and local government political leadership. However, what everyone tends to overlook and under analyse is their own constructive contribution towards the governance of Uganda on a national and local level that can make a tangible difference in effecting the changes people discuss so vehemently.

Having visited 12 Local Government Councils in a month, the lack of accountability and capacity in governance is infectious. This incapacity chasm has engulfed the electorate, the local councillors and the central government to a point where the policy of decentralisation is now re-centralising. Numerous factors have contributed to this and whilst fingers are pointed, the reasons for failure rest largely with the population.

Every Ugandan is a parliamentarian, a councillor or a citizen and the policy of democratic decentralisation relies on everyone to play an active, vocal and supportive part in demanding their rights. Demanding rights also brings with it an obligation to fulfil your responsibilities. The failure of decentralisation and effective service delivery is shared by each individual living in Uganda and no single institution, individual or organ of government are wholly to blame.

The primary problem within the current system is the lack of knowledge possessed by those who need to understand the system most. By knowing rights and the system through which service delivery is provided, Ugandans can begin successfully demanding what they deserve – a high standard of healthcare, education and clean water, amongst other things. Knowledge is power and knowing your legal rights puts the authority of Uganda into the hands of the people, thanks to the policy of decentralisation. Currently, this is not happening as the technical arm of local governance battles with the political arm and the electorate assumes that councillors only attend burials and hand out money.

Clarity in understanding the roles and responsibilities of the people expected to contribute to and uphold the policy of governance and service delivery is minimal. There are larger issues that will take time and resources to solve for the successful running of government like the current budget architecture of the central government which does not support the financial autonomy of Local Government Councils.

The budget paper 2011-2015 shows that 81 per cent of the total budget will remain with the central government and only 19 per cent will be transferred to the local government. However, several systematic shortcomings can be improved without finances: problems such as councillor timekeeping, effective documentation and reading the Local Government Council Act are not automatically improved through an injection of cash. The responsibility for these job requirements lie with each individual councillor – it is vital too that the electorate are aware of what to expect from their councillors.

The habitual ignorance of the political system restrains the full potential and ability that the electorate and councillors possess to influence the Central Government. However, ignorance is reversible if individuals take the initiative to educate themselves and contribute powerfully and intellectually to the running of Uganda. The uncomfortable reality is, if you want to see the change, you have to be the change- time to step up and be a force for both your “rights” and your “responsibilities”.

Emma Jones works with ACODE

AllAfrica – All the Time