By Mulengera Reporters
The Inspectorate of Government has partnered with nine Civil Society Organizations to support the implementation of the Transparency, Accountability, and Anti-Corruption component in the implementation of the ‘Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP).
The government received a grant from the World Bank to implement the DRDIP. It aims to improve access to social services, expand economic opportunities and enhance environmental management for host and forcibly displaced households in the targeted areas of Uganda.
According to Annet Twine the Director of Project Risk Monitoring and Control the CSOs will implement the ‘community responsibility to enhance transparency and accountability (CRETA) activity.
This involves training communities to monitor government projects, document findings from the monitoring activities, and also report corruption cases to the relevant authorities.
The CSOs include Koboko Civil Society Organization, Kitgum NGO Forum, Moyo District NGO Forum, Community Development Network in Yumbe District and Arua NGO Forum.
The others are Adjumani NGO Forum, Karambi Action for Life Improvement Kamwenge District, and Western Ankole Civil Society Forum in Isingiro District.
During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Mbarara City, the Deputy Inspector General of Government, Dr Patrician Achan Okiria expressed confidence that the partnership with the CSOs will yield success.
She explained that the inspectorate has registered key successes in increased ownership of government projects, accountability of project funds, and improvements in the quality of outputs of the projects and service delivery.
Apollo Kakonge Lee, the Executive Director of Western Ankole Civil society forum expressed disappointment with the office of the Inspectorate of Government for delaying taking action on complaints.
Angela Byangwa, the Executive Director of the Rwenzori Anti-Corruption Coalition, decried intimidation from public officials implicated in corruption scandals, which demoralizes the community monitors. Byangwa added that there is still low participation from the community members in the budgeting process which is crucial in monitoring-URN (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [whatsapp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
