Sweden gives Uganda sh11 billion for civic education

The Swedish government through its embassy in Uganda has set aside a total of sh11.85 billion to kick start the Connecting Voices of Citizens to protect Civic Space in Uganda.

The funds will help in the setting up of offices to carry out its work for the next four years.

The program is aimed at connecting and strengthening the voices of citizens and change agents in prompting an open and democratic Uganda.

While launching the program at Golf course hotel in Kampala, the Swedish Ambassador to Uganda, Urban Anderson explained that the program is part of the Swedish government's goals of creating an avenue through which people can ably present their concerns to the public.

The program is informed by analysis of the operating context of civil society and change agents which shows the need for an increased civic and democratic space for increased transparency, accountability, respect for human rights and improved social service delivery.

The program was co-created by the Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (HiVOS) and some partners in Uganda, to bring together a consortium of actors comprising for civil society organizations, media, and government agencies, among others.

Officiating at the launch, the permanent secretary in the ministry of Internal Affairs, Stephen Kagoda said that information from government institutions has failed to reach intended beneficiaries due to poor communications channels.

Some of the information that finds its way out reaches the intended beneficiaries when it's distorted and this prevents institutions from delivering services, added Kagoda.

"All over the place there is always lots of information but some times that information doesn't reach the intended beneficiary, by the time it reaches its distorted," said Kagoda.

Kagoda also advised that for the program to achieve the intended objective, it's necessary to look out for channels through which the community can receive information and internalize it so as to demand accountability from the authorities.