Community Responsibility to Enhance Transparency and Accountability
Introduction
NDNGOF got funding from 2018 to date from Inspectorate of Government (IG)to train and follow-up on Community Monitoring Groups (CMGs). This is in line with monitoring all government programmes/projects in the Greater Nebbi
The involvement and engagement of communities in the implementation of Government programmes is key in ensuring effective and efficient service delivery. This, according to the Inspectorate of Government (IG) was the main finding in the Impact Evaluation Report of the Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption (TAAC)sub component of the Second Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF2). The engagement of the communities was done in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who were involved in the training to empower the communities to monitor government projects where Nebbi District NGO Forum was part.
The success of citizen engagement under NUSAF2, informed the design of Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption (STAAC) under NUSAF3. This led to the design of Community Responsibility for Transparency and Accountability (CRETA) activity where more 720 members of the communities in the project areas were trained on Social Accountabilty. The members trained were called Community Monitoring Groups (CMGs) who actively participated in monitoring government programmes in the districts of Nebbi, Zombo and Pakwach.
The goal of the project is to promote Social Accountability
The overall objective of the CRETA activity
“To build the capacity of community monitoring groups (CMGs), to enhance community responsibility, transparency and accountability in the implementation of the NUSAF III sub-projects and other government programmes”
In 2019/2020, 720 Community Monitors were trained across the three districts of Nebbi, Zombo and Pakwach with funding from the Inspectorate of Government (IG) which was aimed at enhancing community vigilance in monitoring government projects.
In Nebbi District alone the training covered sub- counties of Nyaravur, Atego, Ndhew, Nebbi and Nebbi Municipality. In Pakwach sub county, the project was implemented in the sub counties of Alwii, Panyimur, Wadelai and Pakwach while in Zombo district, it was implemented in Athuma and Alangi sub counties. The Community Monitors were able to follow up on different projects like NUSAF III, Uganda Women Empowerment Programme (UWEP), Schools, Health Centers and constructions and there has been remarkable improvement in the implementation of government projects.