CASE STUDIES
Strengthening Civil Society and Public Authorities to Promote Transparency and Accountability in Uganda
Jeff Kass, Johannes Tonn, Irene S. Kwaga (ULS)
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) is the National Bar Association of Uganda and is uniquely positioned to advance anti-corruption efforts in Uganda. Its statutory objectives state, ‘[…]to protect and assist the public in Uganda in all matters touching, ancillary or incidental to the law; and to assist the Government and the Courts in all matters affecting legislation and the administration and practice of law in Uganda.’
PTF funded a first ULS anti-corruption project in 2008. ULS started monitoring the proceedings of the anti-corruption court (ACD) and created a Legal Experts Committee (LEC), with members drawn from various official bodies influencing the legislative anti-corruption agenda. The role of ULS as well as its own efforts to strategically position itself within the set of anti-corruption actors has allowed ULS to advocate for good governance and highlight anti-corruption work essential for the country’s progress over time. The PTF grant allowed ULS to provide meaningful outreach to all relevant actors, from the Supreme Court to individual citizens.
The 2010 project ‘Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Uganda’ (PACT) builds on the recommendations and conclusions of the 2008 project.