Acholi to be sensitized on the National Citizens Manifesto.

By Lilian Namataka 

Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development, ACORD, is to sensitize the people of Acholi Sub region on the Citizens National Manifesto.

The drive is aimed at arming the people with information that will enable them hold their leaders accountable to the people they represent at the various leadership levels.

The EU funded sensitization project under Oxfam Novib is to last a year, and it is kicking off officially next week.

This follows research that shows that majority of the people have no idea what the Citizens National manifesto is or its contents, and what it means to them as Ugandans.

It has also emerged that majority of Ugandans have no idea that it is their  right to hold their leaders accountable by making a follow-up on promises made during campaigns, to see that they are fulfilled.

Bernard Loum, the focal person for Citizens Elections Watch for northern Uganda that is implementing the project says:  

"Majority of the people think and believe that once a leader is elected and assumes office, for instance as an LC5 chairperson, he is now untouchable and only refer to him as Chairman, or Honorable in case of an MP. So, they think it is a sign of disrespect for the people to demand that the leaders work on the pledges they made during campaigns."

The National Citizens’ manifesto is a document that was drafted by the citizens of Uganda IN 2010 representing the voices of over 60,000 Ugandans, from selected sub-counties and parishes. 

The document, which is endorsed by all politicians, also highlights development concerns the average Ugandan faces day-by-day, a citizen vision of the Uganda they desire, key national values and interests and demands in the economy, society, politics and policy. 

Some of the things that the citizens highlighted in the Citizens’ manifesto are:  demand for free and quality services for all Ugandans, a corruption-free, peaceful and secure Uganda, demand for justice in northern Uganda, preservation of the dignity of every Ugandan.

"Once the people are sensitized on this document, and on their rights, they will be able to fully demand that their leaders provide the necessary services, as an obligation and not as a favour," Loum explains.

To carry out this project, ACORD is to work with 30 community-based organisations (CBOs) selected from all the districts in Acholi sub-region.

Among the CBOs selected include Youth Strengthening Strategy /youth movers, Community Advocacy for Rural Development, Amuru youth group, Children of the World Foundation, Loyoro Otim Kikomi, FORDE Uganda, and Dwoka Paco Women’s Group.

The CBOs are to use communication platforms like community dialogues, dramas, printing T-shirts with desired messages, holding radio talk shows, among others.

The Gulu district language board is also to translate the National Citizens Manifesto into the local Luo language to enable the local communities better understand its contents.