Assessment of the Hybrid Political connotations in Uganda and its relationship Civil Society by checking the history, there rejuvenation, the resurgence of Civic Activism –post 2006, and the Civil society challenges in the country. There is also analyzing also the threats facing the Civil Society in Uganda, the sprinkled achievements of these Civil Society organizations as well as adding more key recommendations in a form of solutions.

1. Ricardo John Munyegera,
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. phil. Carmen Schmidt
11th December 2014
Zivilgesellschaft in der EU/ Comparing Civil Societies

2.  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

3.  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”!

5.  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.

6.  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.

7. ACCU Anti Corruption Coalition of Uganda
ACFODE Action for Development
ADF Allied Democratic Front
CSO(s) Civil Society Organization(s)
CBO(s) Community Based Organization(s)
DENIVA Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Associations
DFID Department for International Development
FHRI Foundation for Human Rights Initiative
FIDA Federation of Women Lawyers in Uganda
FOWODE Forum for Women in Democracy
FUE Federation of Uganda Employers
HIPC Highly-Indebted Poor Countries Initiative
HURINET Human Rights Network
IGG Inspector General of Government
UWESO Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans
MFPED Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
NOTU National Organization of Trade Unions
TASO The AIDS Support Organization
NUDIPU National Union of People With Disabilities in Uganda
PEAP Poverty Eradication Action Plan
PMA Plan for the Modernization of Agriculture
NGO(s) Non-Governmental Organization(s)
SAPs Structural Adjustment Programmes
SWAPs Sector -Wide Approaches
TFM The Free Movement
UDN Uganda Debt Network
UJCC Uganda Joint Christian Council
UMSC Uganda Muslim Supreme Council
UWONET Uganda Women’s Network

8.  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.

12. “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”.

13.  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.

14.  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.

15.  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.

16.  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.

17. 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?
Many thanks for your time.

18.  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
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 J. Oloka-Onyango in Civil Society , Democratization and Foreign Donors in Contemporary Uganda.
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 Bazaara Nyangabyaki & John Jean Barya, Civil Society and Governance in Uganda.
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