An assessment of the role and effectiveness of Barazas in decision making processes
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER)
Abstract
As part of its effort to strengthen accountability in public service delivery
and improve on the performance monitoring of the Local Governments, the
government of Uganda introduced Barazas1, following a presidential directive.2
The Barazas, which are managed by the Office of the Prime Minister and supported
by the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) at the district and lower
levels, are also known as community information forums. They are accountability
platforms through which local leaders and civil servants are required to inform the
communities about government policies and programmes and thereby account for
their performance, whilst also seeking for the views of the people. This initiative
commenced in 2009 and has since been faced by praises and criticisms in both
approach and effectiveness.
In that light, the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER), undertook
to assess the organization, popularity and effectiveness of Barazas and thereby
launched a short study. The study was undertaken as part of the broader Social
Accountability and Community Participation project and it involved the
observation of four Barazas in the districts Adjumani3, Gulu4 , Amolatar5 and
Bundibugyo. The Baraza creates a platform for technical officers to provide
information about the status of service delivery to the citizens and in turn paving
way for citizens to participate in the development cycle by monitoring the usage of
public funds and other resources. In addition, it is a platform that is used to collect
information from citizens; this is done by providing an opportunity to citizens to
raise issues in concerning service delivery in their respective areas.