ELECTION MONITORING AND VOTER EDUCATION
Uganda’s electoral process has, since 1991, remained a highly contested sector of governance. In the recent past, an increasing number of elections have resulted in disputes and petitions. Elections have continually fallen short of meeting the basic standards of being free and fair. The Ugandan electoral system has been responsible for several problems including:-
-Invalidating votes due to lack of voter education
-Erosion of the vital concept of majority rule
-High prevalence of electoral malpractices rigging, manipulation
-Lack of guarantee for women’s representation
-Bribing voters
PROVIDING CIVIC EDUCATION
NAFODU promotes an increased awareness among citizens about their civic responsibilities in order to make leaders more responsive and accountable. NAFODU increases civic awareness and citizen’s participation in governance through:-
-Training, workshops & seminars
-Community activities like meetings, drama and visits
-Media Programs (Electronic and Print)
-Production of Information, Education and Communication Materials
-Developing strengths & talents of NAFODU members to carry on our mission through the years.
NAFODU’S Role in monitoring elections
NAFODU works to enhance citizens’ unhindered participation in the electoral process by ensuring that all the players abide by the provisions of democratic electoral laws and regulation, thereby reducing incidences of electoral fraud and malpractices. NAFODU engages in activities like;
-Voters’ Registration Mobilization Campaign
-Election Monitors mobilization and training
-Media Programs (Electronic and Print)
-Production of Information, Education and Communication Materials.
LOBBYING AND ADVOCACY
Advocacy and Lobbying is a cross-cutting activity in all of NAFODU’s programs. All programs in Civic education, Conflict Prevention and Management, Corruption Awareness, Election Monitoring, Human Rights, and Multi-party strengthening are carried along an element of advocating and lobbying for attitudinal & cultural change. Press updates, conferences and statements, aim to engage the public and ensure citizens informed participation on governance.
MEDIATING CONFLICTS
NAFODU aims to change people’s attitudes and emotions that often fuel Social, Economic and political tensions and reduce conflicts and violence through its program of conflict prevention and management. Activities include;
-Networking with partners involved in the democratization process
-Inter-party round table discussions and liaison meetings
-Nurturing debate & the growth of political parties
-Production and dissemination of information materials on conflict prevention and management
-Build core competencies in our staff by increasing the number of trained mediators and conflict management teams at district level.
PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS
Uganda still lags behind in terms of observance of civil and political rights. NAFODU is committed to restoring democracy & ensuring that human rights are respected. Activities include;
-Networking with citizen organizations involved in promoting and protecting human rights
-Community Sensitization/educational campaigns
-Discussions and meetings for policy makers and the public to debate and explore policy options
-Dissemination of information education and communication materials
-Press updates, conferences and statements to supplement
-Human rights training workshops.
STRENGTHENING OUR MULTIPARTY SYSTEM
The July 2005 Ugandan referendum brought back multi-party politics leading to 2006 general elections. The 2011 General elections were also organized under Multiparty Dispensation. Political parties and the multi-party system in Uganda still remain relatively undeveloped. There is need to empower and strengthen political parties to play their proper role in a multiparty democracy.NAFODU is strengthening the multiparty system in Uganda through activities like;
-Roundtable discussions for political parties
-Training workshops/seminars
-Dissemination of information education and communication materials related to political party roles, functions and governance
-Capacity enhancement activities to expose NAFODU members to political party development training skills.
NAFODU multiparty strengthening program enhances the role of and functioning of multiparty political systems in Uganda through training political party leaders, inter party dialogue and strengthening political parties to articulate their views to the citizens.
CORRUPTION AWARENESS& PREVENTION
Corruption has become so rampant that it affects all sectors of society including the judiciary and has had devastating consequences. Corruption has undermined democratic institutions, aggravated the economic crisis, discouraged investment, led to human rights violations and worsened the poverty situation in Uganda.Various forms of corruption manifest themselves like;
-Political Corruption e.g. abuse of public resources during election campaigns.
-Grand Corruption e.g. misappropriation of public funds
-Petty corruption mostly affecting the Uganda Police Force, the courts, the immigration department, Uganda Revenue Authority, Passports Office to mention a few.
NAFODU is playing a more pro-active role in the fight against corruption at all levels, but especially electoral corruption. NAFODU is involved in activities aimed at raising awareness and preventing corruption like;
-Community sensitization/educational campaigns
-Networking with citizen organizations involved in preventing corruption
-Media programs (electronic& print) supplementing its anti-corruption advocacy activities.