Strengthen democratic values, protection of Human Rights and civic space 2023-2028 

Uganda is renowned for its large, diverse, and active civil society, which to some extent is able to engage with the government on relevant issues. However, there are still need for substantial engagement with organisations working on democracy, anti-corruption, and human rights as well as organisations working in support of marginalised groups.

Denmark supports engagements between state and non-state actors geared towards strengthening accountability, enhancing civic engagement, and promoting and protecting of human rights. This is aligned with Denmark’s Strategy for Development Cooperation “The World We Share (2021)”- in which democracy and human rights are at the centre of Danish development cooperation.

Implementation

Under the Uganda Bilateral Development Programme 2023-2028, Denmark will partner mainly with civil society organisations and support activities at national as well as local levels, recognising the contribution of relevant government structures at both levels as well as the legislative framework for local development. Denmark is working country wide but particular interest will be on the West Nile and Karamoja regions to address the specific challenges they are facing. The engagements, all within accountability; civic engagement and human rights, are jointly supported by other development partners (Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden).

Strengthening Accountability

Uganda has a largely conducive legal, policy and institutional framework in place for the promotion of accountability in utilisation of public resources. However, implementation is lagging behind, with some government institutions increasingly challenged in delivering on their respective mandates, as well as high levels of corruption, and limited accountability as reported by the Auditor General. Denmark will continue constructive engagement with both state and non-state parties on promoting accountability and democratic values.

The interventions aim to enhance civil society organisations’ (CSO) capacities to play a constructive role in the demand for justice, accountability, fight against corruption, and for inclusion of youth, women, people with disabilities and marginalised groups in decision-making processes. The expected outcome of the interventions is strengthened capacity and higher awareness of duty bearers’ to deliver on citizens’ needs, and aspirations, in an accountable and transparent manner, and of CSOs to engage actively in holding government to account.

Civic Engagement

Civic engagement is an important element in democratic governance and protection of human rights and civic space. It is also a goal in itself in terms of establishing an informed, active and critical citizenry based on principles of gender equality, human rights for all Ugandans and “Leaving No One Behind”. This includes focus on civil society’s interaction with duty bearers, initiatives to protect civic space, strengthening of the national-local dialogue, and promotion of gender equality and youth engagement.

Efforts to enhance civic engagement focus on access to information, citizens’ empowerment and local level demand for accountability. It is a means for rights holders to interact in structured initiatives with duty bearers and requires awareness and knowledge of rights and democratic processes, as well as agency to interact and react. Civil society in Uganda plays a crucial role in supporting citizens to voice their concerns, demand rights and participate actively in decision-making and thereby in strengthening civic engagement. The expected outcome is a stronger participation of citizens and CSOs, including youth and women, in decision-making processes and monitoring of government compliance in delivery of agreed public services.  Indicators of success include increased engagement of CSOs, with focus on youth and women, in civic engagement, accountability, protection of human rights and access to justice.

Promoting and protection of Human Rights

Uganda has made progress in some aspects of  respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights including in areas of gender equality, access to information and specific legal and institutional frameworks that enable rights observance. However, more interventions are required to strengthen the observance of human rights for all Ugandans, especially in relation to access to justice, rule of law, access to information, freedom of expression and assembly, as well as gender equality, economic and climate justice and environment.

The expected outcome under the Human Rights area is enhanced protection of rights by relevant government institutions and strengthened citizen capacity to demand their rights. Indicators of success include government institutions capable of delivering on their mandate to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and increased access to justice for women, girls and marginalised groups.

Instruments supporting the objective

Grants will be primarily provided to CSOs (including media organizations, labour market organizations, faith based organizations etc.) who work alone or in consortia or partnership with other CSOs, private sector, government or other relevant actors. This will mainly be based on open calls for proposals or on a strategic relevance.