This article is based on an analysis of responses from government officials during one of the District Integrity Promotion Forums in Karamoja, where the issue of limited government officials’ participation in meetings in Kampala was raised.
One government official stated, “You NGOs invite us for meetings, and you tell us to use public means.” In the same meeting, another official asked, “How do you expect us to jump on a bus late in the evening to come and attend your meetings in Kampala?” A third official concluded, “Some of us government officials are not allowed to use public means while on official duty.”
As the Department for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis at the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition (KACC), we argue that, to avoid blame games between government officials and NGOs, there is a need to review transport refunds to increase government officials’ participation in civil society and NGO meetings.
Matteo Caravani, in his article “The Failing Aid Complex in Uganda’s Northeast,” argues that there is a blame game among different actors in Karamoja (Caravani, 2024). Grounded in Caravani’s work, we, as alternative analysis practitioners, observe that some people involved in project and programme implementation do not adequately investigate or understand why their interventions fail to achieve their intended results.
This is why we emphasise the need for proper facilitation of government officials from Karamoja attending NGO meetings in Kampala. We need these officials to respond to the issues raised and contribute to finding solutions to the problems affecting the region.
Some people, particularly NGO workers, may become emotional about this issue. However, as the Department for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis at KACC, our focus is on reducing blame games among donors, government and NGOs while improving development outcomes in Karamoja.
In conclusion, we call upon donors funding NGOs to review their budgets and provide adequate transport facilitation for government officials travelling from Karamoja to attend meetings in Kampala. If donor objectives are to be achieved in the Karamoja Sub-region, the participation of government officials must be adequately facilitated. Otherwise, limited participation may continue to undermine collaboration, accountability and the achievement of intended project results.
Ayub Mukisa, PhD, writes from the Department for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis at the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition (KACC).
The post Dr.Ayub Mukisa: Investing in Participation: Why Donors and Development Partners Should Review Transport Refunds for Karamoja Officials appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.