Our Achievements
Over the past two decades, UDN has driven meaningful change in Uganda’s policy landscape, empowered thousands of citizens, and built institutions that champion accountability and transparent resource management.
Debt Relief Campaign
Uganda received debt relief under HIPC in 1998 and 100% cancellation of multilateral debt under the MDRI in 2005 — a landmark result of sustained advocacy by UDN and its partners.
Helped demystify complex external debt issues and their economic and social consequences, creating massive awareness on the impact of debt on the ordinary Ugandan citizen.
Uganda Government revised its Debt Strategy in 2006 and 2013 to regulate government borrowing and significantly reduce the country’s debt burden.
Uganda ranked Best in East Africa & 24th worldwide on the Open Budget Index 2015
Pro-Poor National Policy Advocacy
Demystification of macro-economic concepts at national and grassroots levels has created awareness and enhanced community-level consciousness on the effects of socio-economic policies.
Policy makers and implementers have been able to debate and appreciate the importance of participatory planning and implementation of development programmes.
Citizens have developed competence and are making meaningful contributions to the budget process through budget analysis and provision of alternative proposals.
Advocacy work on the budget led to the enactment of the Budget Act 2001, which gives Parliament more powers in the budget process — a direct result of UDN’s sustained engagement.
Advocacy and interactions with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) led to the production of the Citizen’s Guide to the Budget.
UDN contributed to the development of the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) and the National Development Plan (NDP), shaping Uganda’s national development agenda.
Community Empowerment
MoFPED started publishing information about PAF releases in the print media and on notice boards of local governments at District and Sub-County levels — a practice that continues today.
Community monitoring influenced the revision of School Facilities Grant (SFG) regulations to include community participation in monitoring the construction of classrooms.
Government’s decision to introduce ‘barazas’ was largely inspired by the success of UDN’s CBMES model. The CBMES has improved responsiveness, accountability and transparency among service providers across Uganda.
The CBMES has helped build a cadre of leadership with the appropriate values and value system, creating lasting change agents at the community level.
Governance & Anti-Corruption
Government of Uganda designed a National Anti-Corruption Strategy to combat corruption and build ethics and integrity in public office, influenced by UDN’s advocacy.
Parliamentary Commission enacted a law and regulations to govern the disbursement of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) funds, with the CDF eventually scrapped by Government in 2011.
Government agencies including KCCA, Ministry of Health and Amuru District Local Government developed stiff regulations for the use of public vehicles following advocacy pressure.
Government developed Client Charters for various sectors to increase accountability, and amended the PPDA Act to close loopholes within the public procurement law.
Government initiated marking of drugs and medicines with ‘Government of Uganda’ inscription, significantly minimizing theft of drugs from public health facilities.
Capacity Building & Empowerment
UDN has facilitated capacity building and supported communities to monitor public service delivery and engage duty-bearers across 24 districts in all regions of Uganda.
Capacity support has enabled community monitoring groups to grow into registered legal institutions including: Iganga Poverty Monitoring Group into GAP, Bugiri Monitoring Group into COPISED, and Bushenyi Monitoring Group into WACC.
Local and regional institutions including COU TEDDO and MONARLIP improved their performance under UDN partnership, delivering greater impact for communities.
Over SAPP 2012–2016, UDN significantly supported key national institutions and platforms — including CSBAG, IAF and FRA — to deliver on their mandates and advance pro-poor policy agendas.
Building on 20 Years of Progress
UDN continues to advocate for prudent, accountable and transparent management of Uganda’s public resources.