EU PROJECT DISTRICT TRAINING ACTIVITIES KICK OFF

The first of a series of training workshops for local councillors and civil society actors will take place in Masaka district between 16th-21st January 2012. The training workshops being implemented under the EU supported project, “Action for Strengthening Good Governance and Accountability in Uganda” will take place in 11 districts across the four major regions of Uganda. The 11 districts of project implementation include Masaka, Kiboga, Arua, Lira, Pader, Palisa, Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Kabale, Kisoro and Mbarara.

In Masaka, the training workshop for district councillors started on January 16th, at Golf Lane Hotel. All members of the district council including LC V Chairman, Mr. Joseph Kalungi were in attendance and renowned political scientist and Makerere University Prof. Yasin Olum facilitated the workshop. At the opening, KAS and ACFODE were applauded for their timely intervention especially considering the fact that local government leaders have not been inducted on their roles and responsibilities despite having spent seven months in office following the general elections of 2011. The trainings under the KAS-ACFODE project are therefore expected to play an essential role in increasing local leaders’ awareness of their roles and responsibilities.

Following the councillors’ workshop, the training of CSO trainers on democracy and accountability concepts as well as equipping them with skills and materials to conduct grassroots civic education will be held from January 18th – 21st 2012.

The above training activities are a component of the project: “Action for Strengthening Good Governance and Accountability in Uganda” implemented by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and Action for Development (ACFODE) with funding from the European Union. The 24 months project has registered some significant milestones since the start of implementation in July 2011. Among the achievements include the publication of a civic education toolkit that has been translated in several local languages spoken across Uganda. The toolkit contains simplified information, education and communication materials that can be used to educate local communities on democracy, good governance and accountability. Within the framework of the project civil society trainers in the 11 districts will be supported to apply the civic education toolkit in conducting grassroots civic education.

Submitted By Sheila Kinaheirwe

Project Officer

ACFODE