Democracy and governance programming has become an integral component of the USG's support for sustainable development around the world. The USG believes that democratic institutions are key to a well functioning government, and that there are direct links among democratic institutions, good governance and sustainable development. This places democracy and governance programming within the context of an integrated development agenda. Success in other core areas of USG's sustainable development agenda, including PEPFAR, economic growth, health, education, is inextricably linked to democratization and good governance.

Over the last ten years the USG has provided capacity building support to the 6th, 7th, and the current 8th Parliaments of Uganda, local governments, the Electoral Commission, the Law Reform Commission, the Law Development Centre, civil society, political parties, and marginalized groups with the aim to strengthen the devolution and separation of powers, fight corruption, and foster more effective and participatory governance.

Selected achievements to date: Through leveraging USAID's Legislative Support Activity, the 7th Parliament was the first to develop a three Year Strategic HIV/AIDS Plan, which helped guide Parliament, through the HIV /AIDS Parliamentary Committee, to meaningfully contribute to the struggle against HIV/AIDS in Uganda. To improve access to critical HIV/AIDS information needed to assist Parliamentarians in managing a complex national response, an HIV/AIDS Parliamentary Tool Kit was developed and a Resource Center opened by then H. E. Jimmy Kolker, was supported. In addition, the first national forum on Anti-Retroviral treatment was sponsored by the HIV/AIDS Parliamentary Committee. This forum guided the national ART program in rolling out the national strategy and strengthening the involvement of PHAs in mobilization and adherence. Field visits were made to World Bank, Global Fund and PEPFAR supported programs. Key issues such as condom stock-outs and poor resource allocation of limited resources for ART service delivery were identified and addressed. Parliamentarians were also able to address their constituents on issues related to stigma and discrimination.

Through leveraging USAID's Strengthening Decentralization in Uganda Program in FY04 and Fy05, targeted local governments (LGs) had better district development plans (DDPs), budget framework papers, as well as Budgets and Annual Work Plans (specifically from 2005-06). All SDU II LGs presented resource constrained budgets and incorporated the LG HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan within the LG Development Plan (DDP). Prior to this, HIV/AIDS activities have been considered as external donor assistance programs without inclusion in the DDPs. Whereas the majority of SDU supported LGs specifically allocated funds to health activities and drugs related to HIV/AIDS, for the few which did not, these interventions have brought HIV/AIDs activities into focus and for the first time been listed among un-funded priorities. USG/Uganda's new strategy of Governing Justly and Democratically will focus on supporting the GOU's priority areas outlined above including, building capacity to fight corruption; supporting the effective functioning of the newly constituted multi-party political system, working with civil society groups and community based organizations to promote effective democratic governance through support for increased democratic participation at all levels. The USG's proposed Program is premised on the assumption that improving governance and reducing corruption will create conditions necessary for economic growth, poverty reduction and effective sustainable service delivery. Also, successful implementation of anti-corruption activities and improvements in governance may also lead to Uganda's selection as an MCC Compact country, which would provide Uganda with an opportunity to access capital financing which would likely make a significant contribution to Uganda's economic development.

A major challenge to improving governance and fostering economic growth is the perception by Ugandans that corruption is widespread Corruption skews public investment choices away from service delivery towards more lucrative areas, such as large construction and infrastructure projects. Weak procurement systems and poor financial management yield both fraud and unaccounted-for leakages in public budget allocations. The general environment of scarcity in public services creates incentives for providers to demand payments for services that should be free or low cost to the poor. In addition perceptions of rampant corruption contribute to public disillusionment with democracy. It undermines democratic values of accountability, justice and fairness.

Drawing on previous successes, in FY07 (the 8th Parliament of Uganda USG proposes to support the work of accountability committees and issues based caucuses in Parliament focusing on key issues of importance both to the GOU and the US Government, including the conflict in the North, women and children impacted by conflict, corruption, health and HIV/AIDS. In addition, the USG proposes to support caucuses whose constituents are marginalized groups such as the women's caucus, which needs support in moving beyond affirmative action to competing on an equal footing with their male counterparts, together with the people with disabilities, and the children's rights caucuses which work to advance policy and legislative agendas of concern to their constituents. In order for issues based caucuses to affect policy change, their advocacy need to be supported by cabinet and the relevant parliamentary committees. Thus, the USG will provide assistance aimed at strengthening linkages between issues based caucuses, cabinet and the relevant parliamentary committees.

The USG program will develop and/or strengthen linkages between Parliament, local government councils, and civil society including working with community based organizations, and elected local representatives. These linkages will focus on increasing accountability and transparency between national level leaders and their constituents as well as creating increased demand at the local level for accountability. Support will focus around key issues including, promoting peaceful political competition, consensus building, fighting corruption, and HIV/AIDS, and strengthening the influence of marginalized groups.

In addition to its efforts with national, civil society groups and Parliament, USG proposes to work at the grassroots level to raise public awareness of the costs of corruption and to build local capacity to advocate for its reduction. USG programs will bring local communities, local government structures, and civil society groups together to work jointly in combating corruption. The USG views democracy, governance and corruption as cross-cutting issues and so programs will work in coordination with colleagues and partners from across USG's health, HIVAIDS, education, and private sector portfolios to build citizens' and organizations' capacity to advocate for improvements in service delivery. By improving the productivity of public expenditures, tracking and reducing leakage, and enhancing citizen oversight, anticorruption efforts can support the achievement of goals in health, education, social and infrastructure programs.

PEPFAR resources will leverage USAID's democracy and governance activity to specifically support activities, as described above, which focus on effective HIV/AIDS service delivery at the local government and community level, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups including women, children, and people with disabilities. This activity is currently in the design stage. Specific activities will be outlined early next calendar year.