WHAT
WE DO
NAFODU GETS
A GRANT FROM HAELLA FOUNDATION.
NAFODU
has volunteers who work for the advancement of human rights
in their communities in south western Uganda. NAFODU requested support
from Haella Foundation that could be used to train 60 NAFODU volunteers
in human Rights, education, monitoring and Advocacy. After the
training, the trained volunteers will form a network of NAFODU human
rights monitors. Relying on technical assistance from NAFODU, the
volunteers will monitor, document and report on any human and civic
rights violations that occur in their communities.
NAFODU will compile
this information into its annual human rights report that will include
selected interviews with victims and an analysis of the patterns of
human rights abuses in southwestern Uganda. The report will be made
available to the general public and will be distributed to relevant
government, nongovernmental and international agencies.
ELECTION
MONITORING
Uganda’s
Electoral Process
Uganda’s electoral process has, since 1991, remained a highly contested
sector of governance. In the recent past, an increasing number of
elections have resulted in disputes and petitions. Elections have
continually fallen short of meeting the basic standards of being free
and fair.
The
Ugandan electoral system has been responsible for several problems
including:-
•
Invalidating votes due to lack of voter education
• Erosion of the vital concept of majority rule
• High prevalence of electoral malpractices rigging, manipulation
• Lack of guarantee for women’s representation
• Bribing voters
NAFODU’S
Role in monitoring elections
NAFODU works to enhance citizens’ unhindered participation in the
electoral process by ensuring that all the players abide by the
provisions of democratic electoral laws and regulation, thereby
reducing incidences of electoral fraud and malpractices. NAFODU engages
in activities like
• Voters’
Registration Mobilization Campaign
• Election Monitors mobilization and training
• Media Programs (Electronic and Print)
• Production of Information, Education and Communication Materials
PROVIDING
CIVIC EDUCATION
NAFODU
promotes an increased awareness among citizens about their
civic responsibilities in order to make leaders more responsive and
accountable
NAFODU’S Role in providing Civic Education
NAFODU increases civic awareness and citizen’s participation in
governance through
• Training
workshops & seminars
• Community activities like meetings, drama and visits
• Media programs (electronic & print)
• Production of information, education and communication materials
(IEC)
• Developing strengths & talents of NAFODU members to carry on
our mission through the years.
LOBBYING AND
ADVOCACY
Advocacy
and Lobbying is a cross-cutting activity in all of
NAFODU’s programs. All programs in Civic education, Conflict Prevention
and Management, Corruption Awareness, Election Monitoring, Human
Rights, and Multi-party strengthening are carried along an element of
advocating and lobbying for attitudinal & cultural change.
Press
updates, conferences and statements, aim to engage the public and
ensure citizens informed participation on governance
MEDIATING ELECTORAL DISPUTES AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE
NAFODU aims to change people’s attitudes and emotions that often fuel
political tensions
and reduce electoral disputes and political violence through its
program of conflict prevention and management.
Activities
include
• Networking
with partners involved in the democratization process
• Inter-party roundtable discussions and liaison meetings
• Nurturing debate & the growth of political parties
• Production and dissemination of information materials on conflict
prevention and management
• Build core competencies in our staff by increasing the number of
trained mediators and conflict management teams at district level.
PROMOTING
AND PROTECTING OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Uganda
still lags behind in terms of observance of civil and
political rights. NAFODU is committed to restoring democracy &
ensuring that human rights are respected.
Activities
include
• Networking
with citizen organizations involved in promoting and protecting human
rights
• Community Sensitization/educational campaigns
• Discussions and meetings for policy makers and the public to debate
and explore policy options
Dissemination of information education and communication materials
• Press updates, conferences and statements to supplement
• Human rights training workshops
STRENGTHENING
OUR MULTIPARTY SYSTEM
The
last
multiparty elections in Uganda were held in1980. Since 1986 the Ugandan
political landscape was dominated by the National Resistance Movement
(NRM). The July 2005 Ugandan referendum brought back multi-party
politics leading to 2006 general elections.
Political parties and the multi-party system in Uganda still remain
relatively undeveloped. There is need to empower and strengthen
political parties to play their proper role in a multiparty democracy.
NAFODU is strengthening the multiparty system in Uganda through
activities like
• Roundtable
discussions for political parties
• Training workshops/seminars
• Dissemination of information education and communication materials
related to political party roles, functions and governance
• Capacity enhancement activities to expose NAFODU members to
political party development training skills
NAFODU
multiparty strengthening program enhances the role of and
functioning of multiparty political systems in Uganda through training
political party leaders, inter party dialogue and strengthening
political parties to articulate their views to the citizens
TEACHING
CORRUPTION AWARENESS& PREVENTION
State
of Corruption in Uganda
Corruption has become so rampant that it affects all sectors of society
including the judiciary and has had devastating consequences.
Corruption has undermined democratic institutions, aggravated the
economic crisis, discouraged investment, led to human rights violations
and worsened the poverty situation in Uganda.
Various forms of corruption manifest themselves like
• Political Corruption e.g.
abuse of public resources during election campaigns.
•
Grand Corruption e.g. misappropriation of public funds
•
Petty corruption mostly affecting the Uganda Police Force, the
courts, the immigration department, Uganda Revenue Authority, Passports
Office to mention a few.
NAFODU’S
role in fighting corruption in Uganda
NAFODU is playing a more pro-active role in the fight against
corruption at all levels, but especially electoral corruption. NAFODU
is involved in activities aimed at raising awareness and preventing
corruption like
•
Community sensitization/educational campaigns
•
Networking with citizen organizations involved in preventing corruption
Media programs (electronic& print) supplementing its
anti-corruption advocacy activities
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