In a world where trust between citizens and governments often remains fragile, community-driven development models are essential. One such model, implemented by Human Rights and Democracy Link Africa (RIDE-AFRICA) in Kyenjojo District, Uganda, with support from Twaweza East Africa, demonstrates the power of citizen engagement, local problem-solving, and responsive governance. This project, which ran from September 2022, has already delivered tangible results, offering valuable lessons for government programs like Uganda’s Parish Development Model (PDM).
Background: Kyenjojo District
Kyenjojo, a newly established district in western Uganda, was carved out of Kabarole in 2000, with Kyegegwa District forming in 2009. The district has a population of around 502,700 people (according to the National Bureau of Statistics, 2020) and faces a range of challenges in accessing essential services. Among the most pressing issues is the lack of adequate healthcare facilities, which remains a critical concern for many residents.
The Project: “Demonstrating Citizens’ Agency and Responsiveness to Build Trust”
The goal of RIDE-AFRICA’s project was to bridge the gap between local communities and government institutions, which often suffer from mutual mistrust. The project aimed to foster an environment where citizens actively engaged in governance, and local challenges were addressed collaboratively. Its objectives were:
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: Encourage communities and local leaders to jointly solve problems and escalate issues to higher government levels when needed.
- Empowerment of Youth and Women: Enhance the analytical and negotiation skills of youth and women in dealing with local government and analyzing community challenges.
- Transparency and Accountability: Ensure that budget and expenditure reports were shared with the community, with active citizen feedback, particularly from women and youth.
RIDE-AFRICA targeted six sub-counties in Kyenjojo: Bufunjo, Bugaaki, Kanyegarimire, Nyabuharwa, Nyantungo, and Rugombe Town Council. The project selected two villages from each sub-county, engaging over 4,123 community members. Collaborating with local leadership, self-help groups, and religious and cultural leaders, the project trained participants in participatory action research (PAR) and the Assessment, Analysis, and Action Planning (AAA) approach.
Training and Empowering Change Agents
The community members underwent tailored workshops, where they were trained in participatory action research. This empowered them to identify their challenges and collaborate on solutions. They also learned how to prioritize issues using ranking tools, focusing on the most urgent needs. The “triple A” approach (Accuracy, Appropriateness, and Actionability) helped ensure that solutions were not only realistic but also sustainable. RIDE-AFRICA’s success in training communities highlights the importance of equipping citizens with the tools to engage effectively with local governments, laying the groundwork for programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM).
A Tangible Outcome: Solving the Health Crisis in Kanyegarimire Sub-County
One of the most notable achievements of the project was addressing the lack of a Health Centre III in Kanyegarimire Sub-County. This issue had been a persistent concern for years, but through community dialogue and the training received, the locals and leaders worked together to address the problem. The community raised funds to purchase land for the health facility, and the district government committed to including its construction in the 2025/2026 budget. By the end of 2024, half of the land cost had been raised, with the full amount expected by April 2025.
This collaborative effort between citizens and the local government, and the proactive step of raising funds for land, demonstrates the potential of community-driven initiatives when citizens are empowered and local governments respond effectively.
Other Notable Successes
Leaders and community members of Kasambya village, Bufunjo Sub-county, Kyenjojo District, in a meeting to identify critical development challenges for prioritization, aiming to drive response efforts and engage local government and other stakeholders.
Other significant outcomes of the project included the extension of clean piped water to Rwabaganda village, serving over 379,000 people who previously lacked access to clean water, and the expansion of hydroelectric power to Kyabagonza village. These successes further illustrate the importance of empowering communities to identify, prioritize, and solve their own problems, with the support of responsive local governments.
Lessons Learned: Replicating Success in Government Programs
The Kyenjojo project offers valuable lessons that can inform Uganda’s Parish Development Model (PDM):
- Community Empowerment is Key: Training citizens, especially women and youth, in participatory action research and prioritization techniques significantly enhances the effectiveness of government programs. These skills enable communities to identify their needs and collaboratively create tailored solutions that are both sustainable and locally relevant.
- Collaboration between Citizens and Local Leaders: Effective problem-solving requires collaboration between community members and local leaders. Working together, they can identify solutions that address the community’s needs while ensuring that government programs align with local priorities.
- Transparency and Accountability: Sharing budget and expenditure reports with communities fosters transparency and accountability in government programs. Active citizen feedback, particularly from marginalized groups like women and youth, ensures that government initiatives remain responsive and effective.
- Sustainability through Local Ownership: When communities take ownership of initiatives, such as raising funds for land or contributing to the implementation of solutions, they are more likely to sustain these efforts in the long term, as seen in Kanyegarimire.
Conclusion
The RIDE-AFRICA project in Kyenjojo demonstrates the potential of community-driven development models to transform governance. By fostering collaboration between citizens and local governments, empowering marginalized groups, and promoting transparency and accountability, such models can strengthen governance structures. The lessons learned from this project provide invaluable insights into creating a more inclusive and effective approach to local development. As Uganda continues to implement the Parish Development Model, these lessons can help shape a more responsive and sustainable model for future development. With continued support for citizen engagement and responsive governance, communities will be empowered to thrive and build a better future.