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Monitoring the implementation of the PRSP: the Uganda experience
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| 1. Introduction |
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This paper discusses the experience of civil society in Uganda in the monitoring of the implementation of the Ugandan PEAP/PRSP. What is important to note here is that the Ugandan PEAP, which is also its PRSP predates the World Bank/IMF PRSP process. This is what makes the Ugandan case unique. The PEAP process in Uganda started as way back as 1995. In this paper, I will give a brief highlight of this process and civil society (CSO) participation, and then progress to CSO Participation in monitoring its implementation.
In 1997, Uganda launched the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), following a two years extensive national consultative process involving a cross section of stakeholders (Central and Local Government, Civil Society, and the private sector. The PEAP provides national priorities for poverty eradication.
When the demand by World Bank and IMF for countries to develop PRSPs came up, it was agreed by the government and donors that Uganda's PEAP would also be its PRSP. However this called for its revision in order for Uganda to benefit from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC).
In December 1999, Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development called a consultative meeting with donors and civil society organizations to discuss the concept paper on "strengthening Uganda's strategic framework: an interim concept paper towards revision of the PEAP". The revision was considered necessary on the grounds that the first phase of the implementation had ended since it was first designed on a three-year basis as an involving framework rather than a set of fixed priorities. It was also due to the fact since the launch in 1997 various consultations and researches had been carried out and findings needed to be incorporated in the PEAP. This new knowledge would then be useful in strengthening the PEAP.
After this consultative meeting, civil society Organizations in Uganda formed a civil society Taskforce to organize consultations for the revision of the PEAP. Uganda Debt Network took the lead of this exercise and hosted the civil society PEAP taskforce that conducted the countrywide consultation of members of the civil society and grassroots communities. This taskforce then led the consultations and extensive involvement of civil society in the revision and formulation of the PEAP (PRSP) from December 1999 to May 2001.
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