[{"bbox": [96, 178, 1135, 393], "category": "Text", "text": "Efforts to improve the quality of information disseminated to citizens by government and media are also constrained by a lack of analytical capacity, inability to leverage technology and \"silo\" working, among others. Substantial interventions need to take place to adapt and localise the platforms to the regional level and reduce the time between reporting and follow-up actions, be it an investigation, sanction or recovery of funds. With regards to IT literacy in the core agencies, the 2018 JLOS report acknowledged the lapse in capacity and the disparity amongst lawyers, investigators, prosecution and judges in computer literacy and access to digital services, in particular in the most remote areas.⁸ Necessary regulations also need to be put in place to ensure adequate data and whistle-blower protection, as well as to ensure inclusion of populations that are routinely digitally excluded."}, {"bbox": [96, 419, 966, 448], "category": "Section-header", "text": "*Barriers to citizen empowerment and community engagement in good governance mechanisms*"}, {"bbox": [96, 475, 1135, 675], "category": "Text", "text": "Meaningful citizen participation in decision-making and democratic processes remains constrained by systemic barriers and capacity challenges. Uganda has a rather vibrant civil society engaged in both service delivery and advocacy. CSOs can face difficulties when addressing human rights issues, institutional corruption and vested interests, however they play a key role in raising public awareness and informing citizens on their rights and responsibilities through civic education, including on gender issues. The closure of the EU-funded DGF in June 2023 is a challenge for CSOs, state agencies and media-sector organisations, and who now look for alternative means to maintain functioning capacities and mechanisms for collaboration."}, {"bbox": [96, 702, 1135, 874], "category": "Text", "text": "Over two thousand Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are registered with the National Bureau of NGOs and operate across all regions of the country and in all development sectors. While some have good technical and operational capacity to deliver in their area of specialisation, the sector also faces challenges of accountability and transparency, a heavy regulatory burden from multiple government agencies and difficulty security core and long-term funding. NGOs working in the governance, accountability and human rights areas also face bank account freezes, office raids and suspensions from the regulator."}, {"bbox": [96, 901, 1135, 1045], "category": "Text", "text": "At a community level, grassroots organisations perform a critical function in local monitoring and advocacy for good governance, civic education and service delivery. Unlike NGOs operating nationally or regionally, grassroots organisations are largely informal, yet they face similar risks and constraints. While monitoring takes place, skills for community monitoring, documentation and reporting are often inadequate and there is a need to improve digital means of linking local reporting to follow-up at national level."}, {"bbox": [96, 1071, 1135, 1215], "category": "Text", "text": "While Uganda's political landscape has been dominated by the National Resistance Movement party for several decades, a range of political parties are also active across the country. While some of the more well-established parties have good internal structures and policies, many parties struggle to secure the necessary resources to conduct effective outreach, ensure strong internal party democracy and advance youth and women political leaders. Opposition parties also face pressure, intimidation and obstruction of their work."}, {"bbox": [96, 1242, 1135, 1524], "category": "Text", "text": "The lack of access to quality information weakens public debate and citizen engagement at local and national level. With low levels of internet access, most citizens rely on news sources (eg local radio stations) which may not have the resources to provide well-sourced news and information that facilitate community action on human rights, governance and accountability. The media play an important role in disclosing information on human rights abuses, corruption cases and empowering citizens to hold leaders accountable. At times, media workers are subject to arrest or other sanctions. This results in a degree of self-censorship and in more limited capacities to act as watchdogs. Politicised media ownership and declining revenues in the media sector also hamper the sector's independence and professionalism. The media landscape has, however, maintained some form of resilience, and committed and professional journalists remain critical stakeholders for access to quality information at both local and national level."}, {"bbox": [85, 1596, 1144, 1645], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁸ The Justice, Law and Order Sector, Republic of Uganda, \"The JLOS ICT landscape: challenges, opportunities and emerging issues\", 2018."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1681, 1144, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 8 of 25"}]