United Nations
Development Programme

Plot 24 Prince Charles Drive, Kololo

P.O Box 7184

Kampala, Uganda

Tel: (256) 414-233440/1/2/5

Fax: (256) 414-344801

Email: registry.ug@undp.org

Background

Uganda entered into multi-party political dispensation in 2006. The Parliament of Uganda has a Parliamentary Strategic Investment and Development Plan (PSIDP) that sets out the development priorities of the Parliament and identifies a strategic vision for the Parliament. The Parliament is currently in the process of putting in place a new PSIDP which keeps in view the transition to multi-party political dispensation and the need to prioritize the critical interventions.

The current PSIDP focuses on enhancing the knowledge and expertise of MPs and staff to operate effectively in a multiparty environment; improving the Parliament’s legislative, administrative, and infrastructural support services to enable members to legislate and perform oversight functions more effectively; strengthening the Parliament’s representative capacity through external partnerships and linkages; and increasing Parliament’s engagement in peace building, conflict management, and resolution.

Development objectives

Complementing the PSIDP, UNDP support specifically aims at building the capacity of Parliamentarians to enable them to legislate pro-poor policies and strategies in a bid to achieve the MDGs. Its support is also focused on strengthening the institution of Parliament as a pillar in the democratization process through capacity building programmes for Members of Parliament (MPs).

Provision of equipment will enable Parliament to achieve its constitutional mandate. UNDP support also aims at enhancing the abilities of the accountability of committees of Parliament for effective service delivery; creating an enabling environment for peace and the resettlement, reintegration, and socio-economic recovery of conflict affected populations; and building synergies with other institutions on cross cutting issues.

Key activities & expected results

The project is a capacity and institutional development project with specific activities to support the Parliamentary Commission, MPs, and Parliamentary Service staff. Key activities of the project are:

• conducting an intensive orientation for the members of the 8th Parliament into the precincts of Parliament, structures of Parliament, and Parliamentary service and functions, within the context of multi-party political dispensation
• extensive induction seminar for the MPs
• conducting institutional assessment to identify the capacity and institutional deficiencies for effective operation of Select Accountability Committees
• advocating for the formation of Parliamentary fora on MDGs and conflict prevention and recovery
• tailor made staff training programmes for service staff, especially on business operations in multi-party dispensation
• improving institutional linkages of the Parliament with the different levels of Government, especially at the local level

UNDP's support is focused on strengthening the Parliament as an institution that facilitates the democratization process in the country and develops pro-poor reform policies that help achieve the MDG targets.

The support is also focused to increase the culture of transparency and accountability in the country by improving the working of the Select Accountability Committees of the Parliament.

Implementation phase

The project is currently focused on conducting the institutional assessment of the working of the Select Accountability Committees of Parliament, along with specific training sessions for the MPs and service staff.

UNDP Trac Resources: USD 200,000