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IFES

Uganda

A man votes in the 2005 referendum.

Prior to the June 2000 referendum on political systems in Uganda, IFES participated in a national survey of Ugandan attitudes toward political participation and a host of current issues. In addition to providing Ugandan stakeholders with essential information about the voting public, the survey highlighted the importance of comprehensive, continuous civic education. In late 2002, at the conclusion of the 2001-2002 election cycle, a second survey focused on Ugandans’ attitudes toward the extended election process; events since the 2000 referendum and the 2001 and 2002 elections; the potential return of multiparty politics; and ideas about the future of Ugandan political and economic development. The first survey revealed that Ugandans’ primary concern was political insecurity, while in the 2002 survey respondents rated poverty, health and unemployment as the country’s most important problems. This difference represented a marked shift in the public’s focus from internal conflict to political stability and the economy.  

Uganda won independence from the United Kingdom in 1962, but its development was thwarted until 1985 under two corrupt dictatorships. In the 1990s, the government banned political parties under President Yoweri Museveni. However, as a result of the July 2005 referendum, during which the vast majority of Ugandans voted in favor or a multi-party system, political parties will be allowed to campaign in the 2006 general elections.

IFES first began its work in Uganda in 1994, when it facilitated a post-elections evaluation seminar at the request of the Electoral Commission (EC). IFES returned in 1996 to conduct a long-term observation of the presidential and parliamentary elections and host another post-election evaluation. IFES was then invited in 1999 to support the Monitoring Cluster consortium in the development of a reporting methodology and the implementation of a long-term monitoring program. As part of this project, IFES gathered information from the experiences of the NEMGROUP district coordinators and compiled it in a guidebook for the consortium’s use. 

 

 
Past Projects
Building Uganda's Electoral Infrastructure
In 2004, IFES conducted a comprehensive assessment of the Electoral Commission’s needs. One recommendation that came out of this evaluation was to provide the EC with Basic Election Administration Training (BEAT), consisting of approximately eight specialized modules ranging from Principles of Election Administration to Ethics in Election Administration to Working with the Media. IFES provided this training in three phases, known as BEAT 1, 2 and 3. In fall 2004, IFES commenced BEAT 1 sessions with staff from both the districts and headquarters, and then continued two months later by training Commissioners and department heads through BEAT 2. BEAT 3 began in mid-January 2005, with training at headquarters, and was then taken to the district level with field sessions held in Arua, Mbarara and Mbale to train permanent field staff. Implementation consisted of a Training of Trainers methodology that accredited EC staff members as future BEAT trainers, thus enabling the EC to continue this training for years to come. Through the BEAT sessions, IFES was able to develop a reputation with the EC as a reliable organization they could turn to for assistance with the 2005 referendum and upcoming 2006 presidential and parliamentary elections.
 
In May 2005, IFES established an onsite presence in Kampala and began activities as part of a 14-month technical assistance program to enhance the EC’s capacity to administer the upcoming elections. IFES assisted the EC with preparations for the 2005 referendum and produced materials to publicize the election in three languages that were distributed throughout the country. After the referendum, IFES  assisted the EC with preparations for the February 23, 2006 presidential and parliamentary elections.
 
Activities included:
  • Supporting the EC’s IT Department with Results Tracking;
  • Contributing to the content and production of the Presiding Officer’s Pocket Facts booklet;
  • Assisting the EC with Poll Workers’ Training;
  • Providing input and assisting with the printing of Voter Education Materials;
  • Hosting and facilitating Voter Education Training for Religious Leaders;
  • Assisting with the development of the EC’s Internal Communication Strategy to improve the EC’s relationship with the media and general public; and 
  • Consulting on the packing of elections materials.
More about IFES' elections work »

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For more information, please contact us at africa.programs@ifes.org.

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Uganda News and Materials
March 1, 2006
IFES.org Feature: Field Notebook: Election Day in Kampala, Uganda
February 20, 2006
IFES.org Feature: Ugandans Vote in Landmark Elections
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