Annual Partner Management Report

Contact person: Mr. Opwonya Tom Partner Address P.O.Box 64, Apac Plot 11, ASDI Building, Republic Street, Apac Town Telephone: +256 790 915 362 / +256752 647 107 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.taacc.org.ug

© The Apac Anti Corruption Coalition June 2016

Table of Contents 1. Basic Project Information ...... 3 2. Executive Summary ...... 4 3. Operating Environment and its impact on the project ...... 5 4. Progress on objectives:...... 6 5. Key Partnership results: ...... 9 6. Other results ...... 10 7. Case Story 01: ...... 15 Case story 02: ...... 16 Case story 03: ...... 19 8. Project link to the SDGs ...... 22 9. Cross-cutting Issues ...... 23 10. Challenges: ...... 24 11. Key Project Learning and recommendations: ...... 24 12. Way Forward: ...... 24 TAACC annual plan broken down by quarter ...... 25

Annual Partner Management Report Page 2 1. Basic Project Information

Profile Name of project Strengthening citizens’ capacity to demand for accountability in public service delivery. Project goal To strengthen local accountability mechanism for effective service delivery to the people of Uganda.

Project Objectives 1. Empowering the citizens from the project target area to access information, monitor and engage duty bearers to provide better services to them.

2. Strengthening the capacity of local activists and anti corruption agencies in the project target area to provide effective oversight roles on public service delivery. Location of the project Apac, Kole and Oyam districts directly targeted. Lira, Dokolo, Amolatar, Alebtong, Otuke and Kiryandongo districts indirectly targeted through overlapping impact (radio, TVs, Print & Electronic media). Geographical coverage Northern Uganda Contract start date 1st October 2013 Contract end date 30th June 2016 Total project lifetime UGX 818,985,604 Budget Planned budget for the UGX. 246,940,016/= reporting period Actual expenditure for UGX. 245,609,461/= the reporting period Contact person Mr. Opwonya Tom

Annual Partner Management Report Page 3 2. Executive Summary The project aims to mobilize and build the capacity of the target communities in Apac, Kole and Oyam districts to understand, monitor, expose and address accountability issues at local level. The emphasis of the project was on strengthening the local capacity of local community, civil society organizations (CSOs), activists and institutions to address accountability deficits that have affected the socio economic development of Uganda in general and the project target area in particular. The project directly targeted the community beneficiaries and structures and, indirectly those who listen to the local FM radio stations, national broadcast & print media that work in partnership with TAACC. During the reporting period (Jul ’15 – Jun ’16), TAACC received a total of 227 cases reported from 206 service delivery points and projects monitored. A total of 108 cases were followed & 30 concluded. TAACC referred 57 cases to other accountability institutions and district authorities while the remaining 32 cases are pending verification and follow up by TAACC and its monitors. TAACC caused the recovery of public funds stolen to the tune of Ugx 1,930,900/= between July 2015 and June 2016. TAACC’s interventions caused local government contractors to redo shoddy work, fraudulent suppliers made to supply what was not supplied. Up to 2,520 spots messages were aired to educate the public, urging the leaders to be accountable. The spot messages gave out information that empowered the target audience to monitor, report, expose and engage leaders to account and demand affective service delivery.

In Kole district, TAACC intervention led to arrest, transfer and rejection of Akalo S.S. Headteacher and School Bursar over mismanagement of school funds.

TAACC’s anti vote buying and vote selling campaign through Forum Theatre and radio programmes caused the arrest of Information Officer Patrick Opio who was found buying voters in Ayabi Parish, Nambieso Sub-County in Apac district to vote the incumbent LC. V Chairperson Bob Okae. The case is before Apac district Grade 1 Magistrate. One of TAACC’s staff led the team that arrested Apac DIO. The matter was reported on the daily Monitor of 23rd Feb. 2016.

TAACC’s activities directly or indirectly addressed cross cutting issues like gender, youth, civic education and land rights to ensure that quality services reach the target vulnerable citizens. TAACC encourages community participation and ownership by providing platforms for the citizens to engage leaders on issues of accountability and corruption. This added value to TAACC’s advocacy efforts since the affected citizens are able to give 1st hand information hence, promoting evidence based advocacy which is critical in TAACC’s work. TAACC’s interventions contributes to the achievements of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, i.e Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. It also contributes specifically to: 16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms, 16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels, 16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels, and

Annual Partner Management Report Page 4 16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.

However, TAACC had Interruptions by the 2016 election activities and the many public holidays that characterised the voting period as well as the Easter holidays and, others which made TAACC staff to over stretch during the other quarter. TAACC implemented the Anti- Vote buying and selling campaign under the Alliance Coalition for Election Finance Monitoring (ACFIM) too. The campaign engaged both the staff and all the 216 IBMs during election period. Leaders implicated by TAACC’s work however tried to politicize the good advocacy because of the tense election and political activities. There were also threats to the extent that some people affected by TAACC’s work tried to use witchcraft to escape.

TAACC has considered the challenges and adjusted to effective documentation to provide the much needed evidence to hold culprits accountable. The strategic partnership with both local and national media houses helped TAACC to amplify its advocacy and spread the risks during the quarter. This helped to persuade the power centers to take corrective actions. TAACC intends to strengthen and build synergy with state actors and non- state actors so that it can push for quick investigation and prosecution of the otherwise many cases that it has exposed so far. This will also promote participation and creation of a critical mass of activists to make corruption a risky business for the perpetrators. Besides, it will help spread the risk and reduce the negative attitudes from the opposing forces.

3. Operating Environment and its impact on the project The target community are still apathetic with some citizens afraid to report corruption to authorities. The work of TAACC involves in one way stepping on the toes of some powerful people who can use their position to fight back. They can react through hatred, persecution, denial of critical information, retribution, and in any way that they find appropriate. TAACC has experienced these kind of “payments” ever since it started advocating for transparency and accountability. Some whistleblowers and state witnesses are intimidated, manipulated and bribed by the corrupt and their agents and they fail to record statements at police or to appear and testify in Courts. Typical case is one Humprhey Ogwang a former Roads Inspector of Apac district wanted by Anti-Corruption Court for causing financial loss and abuse of office who went and pleaded with the witnesses from Nambieso Sub-County (L.C.1 of Abuli-Abula, Angukai and Agweng Villages) to mobilise others to plead to exonerate him in court over the fraud that he committed on Nambieso Agro–Agweng fishing Village with the promised to pay those who will support him some money if they do so. Much as TAACC managed to make the community to resist the offer, some whistleblowers and witnesses succumb to such temptations while others were intimidated to give evidences that they had.

There is also the slow pace of the Public Anti-Corruption Institutions to investigate & prosecute cases unearthed by TAACC. This means that corrective actions are not promptly taken on the cases. For example, out of the 04 case files that were opened this year from Apac district following TAACC’s action, only 01 was sanctioned by the DPP and to date, none has been concluded yet. Even the target community expect TAACC not to stop at exposing the issues, but to investigate fully, arrest, prosecute and punish culprits, something that is outside the mandate of TAACC as a CSO advocacy organisation. When this is not done, they

Annual Partner Management Report Page 5 begin accusing TAACC of being compromised by the corrupt. It is rather difficult to make such people understand the role that TAACC plays as purely advocacy and whistle blowing. TAACC is further challenged by some technicalities in the process of investigating corruption cases e.g. investigations cannot be concluded without an authentic audit reports from the Auditor General, Technical audit, Internal Audit reports, etc. Even most of the police detectives have confessed to TAACC that they lack adequate investigatin skills and the kind of comradeship feeling amongst the civil servants who are always implicated which they said frustrate their investigations as well as interferences with their work. Others are the undue influence by the political leaders and technocrats as well as higher authorities. TAACC is also challenged by the restrictive legal framework in which NGOs e.g. the NGO Amendment Act (2016) that can be selectively applied by any state actor implicated by TAACC’s work. TAACC has also continued to experience deliberate politicization of issues by some politicians. This distorts the meaning of the good intention of the CSOs advocacy work of demanding accountability.

Despite the short falls, TAACC has continued to mobilize and empower the citizens to understand, monitor, expose and address accountability issues right from the local to national level. The use of both the local and the national media houses has enabled the citizens to openly discuss issues of transparency and accountability and, has helped TAACC to expose many corruption cases and has caused the recovery of misappropriated public funds and, or other resources.

4. Progress on objectives: TAACC facilitated 216 Independent Budget Monitors (IBMs) to monitor, report, expose and engage on corruption and poor service delivery during the quarter. A total of 227 cases were reported from 206 service delivery points and projects monitored. TAACC managed to follow 108 cases and to conclude 30 cases. Up to 57 cases were referred to other accountability institutions like IGG and Police as well as to the district authorities. The remaining 32 cases are pending verification and follow up by TAACC and the community monitors.

TAACC had planned for four (04) Public Education through Forum Theater groups, Local Media & IEC materials. A total of 05 public education were conducted through forum theatre group and through the local media out of the planned 04. TAACC designed 5,300 IEC materials during the year (100 wall calendars, 1,000 stickers, 2,000 branded envelopes, 1,100 pens, 300 Christmas cards, & 800 posters) amongst others.

One of the public educations was held at River Toci bridge at Abang Iping Cell, Amwaa Parish, Myene Sub-County . The public education play plot was developed around the Ugx. 1,615,530,938/= awarded to MACDOWEL CO. LTD and how the company failed to construct the bridge. The play ridiculed the leaders who have power to cause the desired change but prefer to keep quiet as if they don’t have the power like those of Oyam district in the River Toci bridge case. The plot of the play then urged the citizens to shun such leaders and presented to them the fact that they have to demand from them. Oyam district leaders who were invited by TAACC to the Forum felt ashamed when the actors depicted them this way especially following the fact that they choose to keep quit over what was affecting their people. Leaders who spoke after the presentation of the Forum Theatre group tried to

Annual Partner Management Report Page 6 exhaustively clear their names from the failure. Some blamed the Ministry for not involving them in the award process of the tender for the bridge construction. The affected community clearly saw the kind of the “… I don’t care attitude…” of the people entrusted with public offices that they have. A community member commented that “….it looks like the people that are meant to help us do not even know their roles…..why do they continue to occupy the offices if they can not help us….” it is good that we are approaching 2016” (election time).

TAACC organized another public education through the use of local music, poems and drama on the 15th November 2015. The action was staged in Apac Town Council and focused on creating public awareness on the proposed amendment on the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. The activity helped TAACC to rally the citizens to reject the proposed amendments on the public finance management Act, 2015. The play also educated the public to shun vote buying and selling in the 2016 general elections of Uganda. TAACC managed to reach over 1,000 people with the message (530 male & 470 female). The campaign was reported on WBS TV News @ 9:00pm on Nov. 18th 2015 with the headline “ Anti-Corruption Activists called upon legislators to reject the proposed amendment of the Public Finance Management Act”. The story can be followed on https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/OzLuQS88Y1I/mqdefault.webp .

The public education held at Aleka Primary School, Aleka Sub-County in Oyam district centered on anti vote buying and anti vote selling campaigns. TAACC denounced vote buying & vote selling because Aleka Sub-County was where one candidate was nicknamed “tutu” a Lango word for Ugx. 1,000/=. Instead of telling the voter what he will do if elected, the candidate just asks people to stand in a line and he gives each person Ugx 1,000/=! Because of bribing people with Ugx. 1,000/=, he earned the name. TAACC used the local artist to come up with the songs to denounce such acts. The Forum Theatre group also presented some moving scenes around vote buying & selling. A lady remarked “ I wanted to cry especially when the drunkards in the play left Vanessa (MP candidate with a good manifesto) and instead voted Kazi Mingi (MP) candidate who had very use less manifesto…” She added, that it’s the men who elect wrong people because of alcohol. The Deputy DISO of Oyam district applauded TAACC for the Anti vote buying and anti vote selling campaign saying that “…you see, TAACC has done very well what our Electoral Commission should have done even early…”. He requested TAACC to give him the CDs of the songs so that he will present the same message to the people of his home in . To TAACC, the presentations helped to stimulate the citizens to assess their elected leaders and to make the people see some sense that vote buying is useless. TAACC’s anti vote buying campaign also cause the arrest of Patrick Opio, Apac district information Officer who was found buying voters to vote the incumbent LC. V Chairperson Bob Okae. The case is before Apac district Grade 1 Magistrate. One of TAACC’s support staff Tim Joel Deo led the team that arrested the DIO. The issue was reported on the Monitor of 23rd February 2016.

In 2015, TAACC held 10 Accountability Radio Talk Shows out of the 8 talk shows that were planned. The extra two (02) radio talk shows included the one that was carried forward from the 4th quarter of year two. While the other extra talk show was offered freely by Radio Divine FM, the official partner of TAACC in the DGF funded project. TAACC developed radio spot jingles and messages and they were aired 12 times per day on Radio Divine FM. The messages helped TAACC to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities to fight corruption so that they get proper services.

Annual Partner Management Report Page 7

TAACC also used the talk shows to mobilize the community for the field programmes like the community rural debates, District Integrity Promotion Forum as well as to educate the public. The radio talk show helped to highlight the issues reported and helped TAACC to get more testimonies on accountability deficits. It also helped to engage the leaders as they were invited to attend and the affected community articulated their problems to them. They used the on the ground evidence, and got the response as strategic leaders were invited to respond to the issues. It also provided opportunity for the listeners to call and ask the leaders issues of accountability that they have experienced. It gave opportunity to the public to whistle blow any accountability issue in the community, naming and shaming the corrupt through the guidance of the programme moderator.

Out of the 09 rural community debates that were planned within the year, eight (08) community rural debates were recorded, edited and aired on both Radio Divine FM (90.6) in Apac Town and the Lira based Radio Waa (89.8 FM). National media houses (WBS, NTV, the Daily Monitor, and The New Vision) blew the issues in their news too. The remaining budget line for the rural debate was reallocated to networking and linkages to attend the regional learning reflection and accountability festival for DGF V&A Partners in .

The community debates that were organized during the year provided the platforms to the duty bearers to respond to the needs of the service users. For example, the debate over the abandoned works at River Toci Bridge in Abang Iping Cell, Amwaa Parish in Myene Sub- County, Oyam district where the district Engineer was tasked to explain what he will do to apprehend MACDOWEL Co. Ltd, whom the Engineer said got the contract at Ugx. 1,615,539,380/=. MACDOWEL Co. Ltd. was contracted to construct River Toci Bridge. He promised to make urgent follow up with the contractor. As a result, the River Toci bridge work resumed on the 8th June 2016 and is expected to be commissioned in September 2016. Furthermore, the airing of the field recorded community rural debate on Akalo S.S organized by TAACC caused the arrest and transfer of the Head teacher Awio Ben Mark and the School Bursar Ngela Tom Robert and their subsequent rejection from the new stations that they were transferred to by the BoG. Also, through the community rural debates activity, TAACC unearthed the silent epidemic in Tarogali Parish where 06 children have been killed and eated by the crocodiles, 06 people wounded & many animals killed. This matter had never reached Apac DLC, Murchision Fall national Park authorities and the central government of Uganda. Yet there are elected leaders right from the Sub County, district and MP level that should have raised the matter to government. Following TAACC’s intervention the affected community got some response as Apac District Local Council sat and allocated boreholes for the affected community of Tarogali Parish - Ibuje Sub-County. Apac distrtict authorities have approached NW&SC to extend piped water facility to serve the affected community since the children are captured and killed as they go to get water for domestic use. The exposure of the case through national media caused the IGP of Uganda to instruct the RPC north kyoga and, the DPC of Apac district to organize another meeting at Tarogali parish with the affected community where they took statements from the survivors.

Four (04) District Integrity Promotional Forum (DIPF) meetings were planned for the year. However 10 DIPF were held in the target districts of Apac, Kole and Oyam districts. TAACC was able to achieve up to 10 DIPF through cutting costs as the matters that were discussed touched the affected people so much that they sacrificed their time and resources so that

Annual Partner Management Report Page 8 the issues are addressed. For instance, apart from causing the transfer of Akalo S.S leaders, the DIPF caused the arrest of the School Bursar and opening of a General Enquiry File no. GEF/02/2016. The School Bursar Tom Robert Angela, Headteacher Awio Ben Mark and 02 teachers (Ojok Moses & Francis Angole) were implicated for mismanaging School funds to the tune of Ugx. 40.000.000/= for a World Bank project and, Ugx 9 million which the School Bursar claimed was conned from him as he leaves a bank in Lira Town. Others are the fact that the fees for Akalo S.S, a GoU aided School was being paid in the account of a private School fraudulently. The DIPF participants heard that the bank slip for the fees payment was headed Akalo S.S. while the account no. was for Akalo Comprehensive School, a private School for one Aligi Johnson, a friend to the Bursar who is also a teaches at Akalo S.S. The DIPF addressed the issues of cash fees collection by the Assistant Bursar and some teachers (Angole Francis, Okeng Peter & Otim Moses). The fees were not even banked and fake receipts were issued. The other critical accountability issues addressed by the DIPF is the fact that the PAYE deducted from the teachers’ incentives totaling Ugx. 12,949,000/= were never remitted to URA by the same School Bursar.

While the Oyam district DIPF addressed the issue of the abandoned work on River Toci bridge. All these were very touchy accountability issues that the affected community needed answers to. The DIPF prompted Oyam district officlas to follow up the River Toci bridge contractor with the Ministry of Local Government which resulted to the resumption of work on the said bridge on 7th June 2016. Hopefully the bridge will be commissioned in Sept. 2016 now.

The Apac district DIPF exposed the mismanagement of the staff payroll amounting to a fraud of Ugx. 54,450,673/= by John Oduru, a Senior Accounts Assistant in charge salaries (IFMIS Champion). The gross fraud that caused the interdiction of John Oduru happened in the months of April, May, Sept, Nov, Dec 2014 & Jan, Feb 2015. TAACC blew up the matter and it caught attention of the local and national leaders. The case can be followed on Daily Monitor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UphEOHhk8uY NTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4lajmi_cSI See:NTV: https://youtu.be/- VCeswffXA8, Daily Monitor: www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/...crocodiles/-/.../- /index.html.

TAACC registered under networking, linkages and reporting on accountability issues a total of 2,746 viewers who visited the website between July 1st 2015 - June 30th 2016 compared to 2,426 viewers who visited the website between July 1st 2014 - June 30th 2015, and 99 viewers who visited the website between 1st Oct. 2013 - 30th June 2014. TAACC had 60 networking and linkages during the year compared to the planned 16 networking and linkages for the period. TAACC achieved the difference of 44 networkings because those who organized the networking were able to meet the cost of most of the networking activities.

5. Key Partnership results:

DGF expected Partnership Planned (July Achieved (July 2015 – Remarks on results that indicators 2015 – June June 2016) variance partners contribute (select what 2016) to applies to you)

Annual Partner Management Report Page 9 3.1 Enhanced 3.1.1 Number of Facilitate 227 cases reported from TAACC didn’t citizen competence cases of misuse Monitoring of 206 service delivery set a target of and confidence to of public Public points & projects. cases to be demand better resources Expenditure and reported. service delivery reported to and Service Delivery 108 cases followed, 30 from local and referred by DGF in public sectors concluded, 57 referred national partners to the to other accountability government relevant institutions. authorities Remaining 32 cases pending verification & follow up.

TAACC caused recovery of public funds (From Jul 2015 – June. 2016) Ugx 1,930,900/= recovered,

TAACC’s actions caused the LG contractors to: Redo work and, Air suppliers to supply,

E.gs: In Alito Sub-County, Anekapiri Market - Witim - Alake Community Access Road, Obutu Parish was done, Alito Sub-County in Kole district at a cost of Ugx 8,280,390/=,

In Aleka Sub-County, Oyam district shoddy work on a 02 stance pit latrine at Ajuri Trading Centre for FY 2014/2015 at 5.700.000/= redone.

6. Other results Planned activity for Achieved % of Achievement Comment the FY15/16 Objective 1: Empowering the citizens from target area to access information, monitor and engage duty

Annual Partner Management Report Page 10 bearers to provide better services to them. Activity 1.1.2 : 10 accountability radio talk shows 125% One (1) radio Holding 8 held & citizens rallied to boldly talk show was accountability radio address issues of accountability that carried talk shows on Radio affect service delivery. forward from Divine FM & the other year develop Radio spots TAACC & partners mobilized & messages & play to empowered stakeholders to engage The good educate listeners. leaders & corrective actions taken to partnership ensure accountability. Participation with radio promoted, credible credible evidence provided by TAACC, risks associated Divine FM with difficult accountability spread, made them to TAACC IBMs & mobilized community offer 01 radio shared 1st hand information with talk show leaders to address accountability. airtime free of charge. TAACC organized radio talk shows enabled the listeners to actively participate & contribute to address accountability issues being addressed by the panelists. TAACC enabled leaders to clarify accountability issues to the community.

The 2,520 educative spot messages aired by TAACC through Divine FM educated & empowered the community, inspired and urged leaders to be accountable. The spots gave information on the evils of corruption on service delivery. TAACC empowered the target audience to monitor, report, expose and engage leaders to address corruption than affect service delivery. Activity 1.1.3 The 05 public education through 125% The extra one Conduct 4 Public / Forum Threatre organized by TAACC (1) was citizen education created public awareness & rallied funded out of through Forum citizens against the proposed the savings Theatre groups, amendament on the Public Finance due to the Local Media & IEC Management Act (2015) & vote over whelming Materials buying & selling that isn’t pro people. demand to

Annual Partner Management Report Page 11 create public TAACC made contributions to rally awareness on citizens to reject the proposals in the the critical Amendments on the Act, 2015, issues of vote hence cobtributions to a bigger advocacy by CSBAG & ACFIM. buying and selling that TAACC’s anti vote buying & vote was so selling campaign through the Forum rampant Theatre & radio programmes during the resulted in the arrest of Apac DIO campaign Patrick Opio for buying votes which period & the is against the laws of Uganda. The empowered community & TAACC proposed support staff arrested Opio in Ayabi amendment of Parish, Nambieso Sub-County, Apac the Public district buying votes for the Finance incumbent LC. V Chairperson Bob Management Okae. The case is before Apac district Act that many Grade 1 Magistrate. The action was people were reported on the Daily Monitor of 23rd Feb. 2016. very interested in. The 5,300 different IEC materials with catching messages in Luo & English supplemented the advocacy which caused the empowerment to the citizens to monitor, report, expose and engage leaders on accountability to ensure effective service delivery. Activity 1.1.4 TAACC organized 09 community rural 112.5% The rural Organize 8 rural debates which created platforms for debates community debates the citizens to engage with the provided leaders so that they account. on governance plateform for issues, recording Some of the changes reported came the and airing for the as a result of the engagements. empowered attention of leaders. citizens to No, this activity was Commitments have been made by engage their adjusted from being the leaders too following the leaders on held monthly i.e. 12 engagements that TAACC will follow accountability to ensure tangible outcomes. to only two per issues. quarter i.e. 8 in a E.g of positive changes following the However, year. engagements organized by TAACC commitments

Annual Partner Management Report Page 12 during the period are: made are yet to be followed The arrest, transfer & even rejection by TAACC to of Akalo S.S. Headteacher Ben Mark final Awio, Bursar Tom Robert Ngela & 3 conclusion. other teachers for mismanaging The extra School funds as reported. talkshow was General Enquiry File no. carried GEF/02/2016 was opened on the forward from said leaders as a result of the year II engagements by TAACC. (2015/2015).

Akalo S.S Bursar Tom Robert Angela, Head teacher Awio Ben Mark & teachers Ojok Moses & Francis Angole were eventually arrested for mismanaging the School funds.

Local & National newspapers of Wed. March 30th 2016, page 6 & Daily Monitor Fri. March 25th 2016 widely reported the actions. The Luo media headline on Akalo S.S following TAACC’s action was “Camucana I Cukule” literally meaning “Corruption in schools” and “RDC calls for probe in to fraud syndicate” respectively.

TAACC caused the stalled work on River Toci Bridge in Myene Sub- County, Oyam district by MACDOWEL CO. Ltd awarded at Ugx. 1,615,530,938/= under CAIIP project fund that included working on a 13 kms Community Access Road meant to take 3 months from 23rd May - 22nd Oct. 2014 where the contractor requested for extension 3 times & failed then abandoned work in March 2015 to resume and MACDOWEL Co. Ltd had to sub contract Halton Ug. Co. to complete the stalled River Toci Bridge as well as rehabilitate the community access

Annual Partner Management Report Page 13 road.

Work on the bridge resumed on 8th June 2016 & is expected to 3 months. Objective 2: Strengthening the capacity of local activists and anti corruption agencies in the target area to provide effective oversight roles on public service delivery. Activity 1.1.5 TAACC organized 10 District 83.3 % TAACC had Facilitate 12 Intergrity Promotional Forum on planned for 12 District Integrity governance issues, recorded & aired but Promotional Forum for the attention of leaders. implemented (DIPF) meetings . only 10 DIPF. The DIPF helped to address the TAACC could accountability issues reported in the not hold 12 main report body. DIPF meetings as planned due increased increased cost / prices of items.

Activity 1.1.6 TAACC had 60 networking activities 375% TAACC planed Networking, from Jul. 2015- June 2016. for 16 linkages & reporting networkings on accountability The networking helped to build but had 44 issues, web site design & hosting – synergy, inform others about what extra 16 net working TAACC has done and get support to networking meetings address accountability issues that activities giving affect service delivery. extra against planned at 275%!

The reason for the variance is that the organisers of the networking events facilitated the networking outside TAACC budget.

Annual Partner Management Report Page 14 Total ratio of 164.2 % Reason for the implementation vs extra 94% vs planned activities planned is as explained already above.

7. Case Story 01: Stalled work on River Toci bridge in Oyam district, Myene Sub-County had to commence! The bridge was meant to connect the people of Minakulu & Myene Sub- County to Pope Paul 11 Hospital in the South and Oyam district headquarters amongst others. Otherwise, the hospital, owned by the Catholic Church is the only hospital in Oyam district that serves patients referred from Minakulu Health Centres II & III. River Tochi bridge is the shortest route to connect the people in the north to the hospital and southwards for services. Oyam district Local Government got support from the Ministry to address the problem of connection through River Toci. The Ministry contracted MACDOWEL Co. Ltd to construct the bridge and rehabilitate a 13 Km road stretch to pass over the bridge at Ugx. 1,615,539,380/=. MACDOWEL Co. Ltd. started the work in March 2015 and it stalled after they had made worst the stretch of River Toci that the locals used to cross in dug out canoes to get to the south at the cost of Ugx. 500/= per person to increase to Ugx. 1,000/= per person. Work on the bridge stalled for 18 months and life became more difficult for the residents of the two Sub Counties. No leader bothered to follow up the road work. The IBMs felt concerned after approaching Oyam district leaders without getting any way forward. TAACC mobilized Oyam district Eng, Road Supervisor, DPC, CAO, L.C.V Chairperson, DISO etc and other key actors. They presented the matter in a DIPF on the 6th Oct. 2015. Following the engagement, the leaders “woke up” and the stalled work on River Toci Bridge had to commence on the 8th June 2016.

MACDOWEL Co. Ltd that had started work on 23rd May 2014 and was supposed to finish work on the 22nd Oct. 2014 kept on requesting for extension three times but failed to complete the work. Following the pressure mounted in the DIPF organized by TAACC, MACDOWEL Co. Ltd that seemed to lack the capacity to do the work was forced to sub contract Halton Co. Uganda Ltd with a qualified Engineer Godfrey Owiny (Tel: 0777403570) to construct the bridge. Work is expected to get completed in three months with effect from 8th June 2016. Thanks to TAACC’s intervention to help the community of the two Sub Counties.

Below: Abang bridge on River Toci abandoned where the community cross in a risky dug out canoes to access services before TAACC intervened. ______

Annual Partner Management Report Page 15 Note that Oyam district leaders did not do anything to make the contractor resume work. The IBMs raised the alarm, TAACC intervened and the voice of the people was heard. Below: The materials for River Toci bridge abandoned at site by the contractor before TAACC intervened to cause the leaders to act ! Some were getting washed away by the river. ______

Work resumed after TAACC intervened. Soon the residents of Minakulu and Myene Sub Counties will be able to access Pope John 11 Hospital in the South with ease including Oyam district headquarter. TAACC made their voice to be heard and work is in progress. ______

Case story 02:

TAACC helped the people of Tarogali Parish in Ibuje Sub County from the crocodiles that used to get their way from Murchision Falls National Park and cause untold suffering ! There was this unheard voice and suffering of the people of Tarogali Parish that TAACC made a compilation of after all the leaders had failed to respond to. Even the Hon. Councilors who represent the area in Apac DLC and the MP for Maruzi Constituensy also failed to raise the matter in the Parliament of Uganda. TAACC decided to call it a silent epidemic as the crocodiles were finishing especially the School children of Tarogali P.7 School located near the stretch of River Nile that passes through Tarogali Parish, Ibuje Sub County in Maruzi County, Apac district. With DGF support, TAACC broke the silence and made the voice of the suffering people heard and watched by Ugandans as the locals testify on the great lost that they have incurred without any action from the leaders. Following TAACC’s intervention, the IGP of Uganda had to call the RPC north Kyoga who in turn quickly joined the DPC of Apac district to provide solution to the problems of the suffering community. Even UWA and the area conservation Management of Murchision Falls National Park were made to attend to the locals of Tarogali parish. UWA had to promise the survivors of killer crocodiles better treatment. The RPC north Kyoga and the DPC Apac had to take statements from the affected

Annual Partner Management Report Page 16 people and the locals who are wounded including those who lost their dear ones have been promised compensation. Otherwise, the crocodiles that get their way from the stretch of Murchision Falls national park had in a short period of time killed and eaten many children, bitten and wounded many people and eaten many animals of the people of Tarogali Parish. Below is the compilation and documentation that TAACC made to save the suffering people.

No Name of Age Class School Name of Date caught Remarks the child father by crocodile. 01 Katale 07 yrs. P.1 Chakali Katente 21st Feb. 2013 Just body P.7 Goddy parts recovered 02 Otim Alex 12 yrs. P.3 Chakali Okii Tom 30th April As above. P.7 2013 03 Adupa 15 yrs. P.5 Chakali Okao 6th July 2014 As above. Ivan P.7 Constantine 04 Okao 14 yrs. P.4 Chakali Late Otim 3rd Feb. 2015 Body not Denis P.7 Stephen recovered at all 05 Nyakirya 08 yrs. P.1 Chakali Wandira 9th Jan. 2016 Body not Jeska P.7 Moses recovered at all 06 Ocen 13 yrs. P.5 Igoti Okidi Francis 22nd Feb. 2016 Body not Dauglas Annex recovered at all Those injured by the crocodiles: 07 Okello 32yrs. Injured on Alex the ribs 08 Ajok 20yrs. Injured on Sharon the ribs 09 Ogolo 17yrs. Injured on Jimmy the hand 10 Adongo 25yrs. Injured on Jacky the hand 11 Olila 30yrs. Injured on Vincent the arm 12 Unspecified numbers of cows have been caught by the crocodiles.

The victims suffered as they get to the river to fetch water for domestic use as they lacked any source of water.

Following the silence by leaders, on 5th May 2016, TAACC mobilized them, the media and UWA. The locals engaged the leaders over the lack of response to their plight despite their long suffering. The matter was reported extensively on the local FM radio stations and national media houses like NTV on 08th May 2016. See: https://youtu.be/-VCeswffXA8, WBS on 9th May 2016, Crocodile Attack, crocodile kill Seven pupils in Apac see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9GFuN09fnw, Daily Monitor reported on Sunday 08th May 2016 on page 07 as “Locals cry to UWA over killer crocodiles” see:

Annual Partner Management Report Page 17 www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/...crocodiles/-/.../-/index.html, the New vision reported on 04th May 2016,….. Luo newspaper Rupiny “Jo Tarogali Amito Cul”, translated as, “ the People of Tarogali are demanding compensation” see edition of Wed. May 24th 2016 page 5. It was a big and sad advocacy that even the clergy had to take interest in, as more than 6 children have been eaten by the crocodiles, another 6 maimed, and many domestic animals eaten and, or wounded in a short period of time with no action as seen below ! ______

Daily Monitor cut report on the crocodile Picture of the body of late Adupa partly mobilized by TAACC , Tarogali – Ibuje, eaten by the crocodile. No leader had Apac district. bothered to address the many such prolems.

TAACC made everybody to get concerned including Local newspaper report over the matter & the the management of Murchison Falls Conservation RPC had to take interest, a cage to protect Area to bring the problem to an end. people has been built now.

Todate, things have changed and a cage to protect children built, the injured promised treatment and Police taken statements from complainants for compensation while Apac district has promised safe water sources to the affected community so that they don’t have to get to the dangerous river. Without TAACC’s intervention, leaders would continue to keep quiet as the people suffer.

Annual Partner Management Report Page 18 Case story 03: Apac, Oyam and Kole district leaders pledged support to TAACC! Following the phase out of DGF 1 funding, TAACC organized a DIPF on Wed. 8th June 2016 in Omodi Hotel, Apac Town Council to showcast its contribution to ensure accountability in the target three districts. The RDCs, DPCs , CAOs and other key district leaders attended. TAACC presented its achievements, challenges and stressed the pending cases that the leaders should help them to address as it gets to DGF 1+ funding arrangement. The leaders from the target districts overwhelmed TAACC with praises. The RDC of Kole district Oyaa Nahori Uwaa remarked “…We have resolved today to fight corruption in Kole district…I am happy I have a new team in Kole now since only 4 old Councilors have beem reelected…I call upon TAACC to help me sensitize the new Hon. Councilors so that they behave like you (TAACC)…” While M/s Jillian Akullo, the RDC of Oyam district said “…, TAACC has helped me to reach the remotest part of Oyam district…I hope that your donor is not leaving you because we still need you….” And the CAO of Oyam district begged TAACC to penetrate the District Councilors as “…some of them join politics thinking that it is a job…” He added that the kind of mind set make the Hon. Councilors begin fighting for contracts instead of playing oversight roles. Apac district RDC John Robert Omuut assured TAACC that the troublesome Engineering Assistant Humphrey Ogwang is now a wanted man by the IGG over the Nambieso – Agweng fishing Village road. He requested that “…anybody who sees him (Eng. Ogwang) should just arrest or alert Police….” The phase out DIPF was reported on the Daily Monitor of Friday June 10th 2016 with the headline “Corrupt officials poisoned me-RDC”. Following a remark made by Apac district RDC on the day.

Above: Group picture with leaders & RDC Jillian Akullo & Nahori Owaa praying for TAACC. ______

Achievements following TAACC’s intervention at Abur P.7, Ayer Sub-County in Kole district. Ever since TAACC intervened on Abur Primary School that had many challenges on the 12th Feb. 2015 (ref, to the report for Jan-March 2015) TAACC Field staff has been keen to track the changes. The School had only 60 desks for 1,171 pupils by then. Following TAACC’s intervention last year, the leaders of Kole district who attended the engagement made promises and have kept their promises. Below are more changes:

1. Kole district DEO promised 75 desks for the School during the engagement organized by TAACC. He immediately provided 36 desks, 02 Office chairs and 02 tables, 2. This year in May 2016, more 36 desks and 02 tables have been added to fulfill the pledge of the 75 desks that was made during the engagement.

Annual Partner Management Report Page 19 3. Kole district has also allocated Ugx. 55.283.000/= to renovate 02 class room blocks at Abur P.7 School. It follows the fact that the field engagement by then discovered that the roof of a block was blown off by wind since 2005 without any action taken. 4. The DEO of Kole district made the contractor of the classroom to redo the floor when he discovered that it had cracks on the floor,

The above developments show the multiplier effect of the engagements by TAACC to make the leaders responsive. Below are the evidences:

The 36 new desks and 2 tables (Right) given to Abur Primary School by Kole district Local government to fulfill the pledge made by DEO during TAACC’s engagement.

. The renovated classroom block in Abur The floor that the DEO of Kole district made Primary School. The multiplier advocacy the contractor to correct. work of TAACC on the leaders.

TAACC caused the arrest, transfer and rejection of Akalo S.S. Headteacher, School Bursar and 2 other teachers over mismanagement of School funds:

Following the field engagement by TAACC on 22nd March 2016 over the mismanagement of School funds of Akalo S.S, that has been reported. Apart from the arrests of the leaders and opening of case file GEF 02/2016, the AGM for the School that had taken 3 years without being held was organized on 20th May 2016. A new Board of Governanor - BoG and, Parents Teachers Association – PTA was elected (Bishop Alfred Acur Okodi of West Lango Diocese replaced Rev. Col William Ongeng as Chairperson BoG, Mr. Ocom Jasper was elected the new PTA Chairperson and other inneffective leaders were dropped. Akalo S.S organized a week of prayers from 27th June-July 3rd 2016 to thank God for TAACC.

Annual Partner Management Report Page 20

Below: Evidence of the change caused by TAACC in the management of Akalo S,S, Kole district !

______

TAACC’s IBMs caused recovery of community funds! The trained and empowered IBMs of TAACC caused the recovery of mismanaged public funds of Ugx. 1,000,000/= in Oyam district. Ugx. 500,000 PTA funds was recovered from one Odyek Nixson, the PTA Chairperson of Okure Primary School in Iceme Sub - County and, Ugx. 500,000/= recovered from one Ogwang Benson, the PTA Chairperson of Awelobutoryo Primary School in Acaba Sub - County. TAACC IBMs also caused the recovery of the stolen water pipe from the LC. 1 of Alyec Cell, and the repair of Alyec bore hole that its maintenance fees collected was mismanaged by the care taker in Kamdini Sub-County, Oyam district. TAACC caused the shoddy construction of a 02 stance pit latrine at Ajuri Trading Centre in Ajul Village in Aleka Sub-County, Oyam district to be broken down by Aleka Sub- County officials then it was corrected.

Empowerment on the citizens enabled them to engage RDC of Oyam district! The group of the citizens empowered by TAACC from Apala Primary School in Adigo Parish, Aber Sub-County in Oyam district led by one Okello Geoffrey invited and engaged RDC M/s Jillian Akullu on the problems that they discovered to be affecting Apala P.7 School on the 03rd May 2016. Among the issues that they engaged the RDC on were: The poor accountability of UPE and PTA funds by the Head teacher Okello Moses and his constant absentism from School together with some teachers. They also engaged the RDC on the negligence of the Head teacher to repair the School broken borehole and grinding mill and,

Annual Partner Management Report Page 21 on the way a teacher called Omara Bismack harasses pupils. They demanded to know why Apala P.7 School does not have female teachers as well. The meeting resolved:

1. That the RDC should follow the DEO of Oyam district and ensure that a female teacher is posted to Apala P.7 School, 2. The RDC instituted a group of 05 community members to audit the School books of accounts. 3. The RDC ordered the SMC to be dissolved and that fresh elections be held for SMC. 4. That the PTA and the borehole maintainance collection audited and found to be mismanaged to the tune of Ugx. 874,700/= for PTA and Ugx. 182,400/= for borehole maintenance be recovered,

The team later recovered Ugx 182,400/= from the borehole O&M and Ugx. 160,000/= from the PTA Chairperson. The RDC commited to meet the DEO and ensure that the Headteacher Okello Moses is transferred from Apala P.7. She ordered that all the teachers must stay in the School during working days to teach children.

8. Project link to the SDGs TAACC’s interventions contributed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. It contributed specifically to: 16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms, 16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels, 16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels, and 16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.

TAACC trained & equipped 216 Independent Budget Monitors (IBMs) with tools to monitor & engage leaders in the districts of Apac, Kole & Oyam to decentralize the monitoring of public budgets and expenditures. TAACC uses the local level monitoring structures to enhance the quality and accountability of public resources and services using information provided by the MOFPED available on budget websites, newspapers, public notice boards etc. The citizen groups traced the flow of public resources for the provision of public goods or services from origin to destination. They thus detected the bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or corruption during the flow of public funds from the center to the service delivery points e.g. schools, health centers, etc. The data is collected, analyzed and disseminated / presented to government officials to help citizens monitor, evaluate, seek accountability to ensure effective public service delivery &, or lobby for positive change. TAACC subsequently disseminated the information through ICT platforms, media, and during public accountability forums. If mismanagement or misuse of public funds is unearthed, then more corrective measures and sanctions are made in the public arena to create popular pressure and momentum for action.

Emphasizing partnership with public accountability agencies and strengthening the multiplier use of the community change agents to become mentoring pillars, enhancing proactive and confident role of demanding rights to quality services as a right and, the use of civic education as building blocks for community empowerment to demand for political

Annual Partner Management Report Page 22 responsiveness and accountability demonstrates how TAACC’s interventions contributed to Goal 16. Partnership with the media to do investigative journalism to expose local accountability issues to the regional and national level to ensure that non actors at lower levels are cohersed to act on issues generated by TAACC.

9. Cross-cutting Issues The cross cuting issues have been continuously considered at both institutional and programme levels by TAACC. At institutional level, TAACC established a strong linkage with organizations and institutions that are concerned with youth, gender and land matters through referals and joint advocacy, for example, Action for Development (ACFODE), Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET). TAACC has been advocating for the posting of female teachers in all primary schools to help in counseling girl children for example TAACC in collaboration with the community advocated for posting of female teacher at Apala “A” primary school, Adigo parish, Aber Sub-County in Oyam district where RDC, Miss Akullu Jillian commited to talk to the DEO to post at least one female teacher. During implementation, TAACC has been putting in consideration favourable time where women are relatively free from domestic work so that they are able to attend field activities. Examples are the DIPF and community rural debate in Tarogali, Ibuje Sub-County in Apac district on 5th May 2016 where the attendance was over 500 (217 female and 283 male).

TAACC has throughout disaggregated its intervention by gender and during implementation, most of the disadvantaged like women, the disable, youth, the elderly, PHAs, and other voiceless and vulnerable people are deliberately targeted. This is further seen in the sex disaggregation of the radio of the callers during the phone in time when TAACC is addressing accountability issues through a radio talk show. However, evidence still shows that fewer women, youths and the vulnerable call to contribute compared to the men. Reason being lack of phones by such category in comparison to the men. But through empowerment, TAACC’s IBMs like Okot – Atowang a blind IBM can now confidently articulate issues better than some able people.

TAACC forged partnerships with youth focused organizations like Recreation for Development and Peace (RDP) and Apac District Youth Network (ADYN) during the period. This strategic partnership enabled TAACC to jointly follow cases of the mismanagement of Youth Livelihood Funds. TAACC developed a radio jingle which is run 12 times a day encouraging youth to report corruption on Youth Levelihood Funds. On 21st June 2016 at Omodi Hotel in Apac Town, RDP together with TAACC engaged Apac district leaders on the issues of Youth Levelihoods Fund, where corruption and bribery had been reported. Mr. Ojuka Fredrick the DISO Apac who represented the RDC Apac ordered Apac district Commercial Officer one Abura Patrick to submit the name of the contractor who had got money for making the sign posts and has not yet complied for 07 months now. The RDC representstive committed to follow the fund mismanagement for Amwonyocao Youth Group in Ami-Aberidwogo, Ibuje Sub-County in Apac district where members got only Ugx. 200,000/= but they are to refund Ugx. 700,000/= each. Ag. RDC ordered the Ag. Sub-County chief of Chegere one Ongu Patrick to write a letter in a weeks time with effect from 21st June 2016 to recover the money from one Apono Gladys Ugx. 600,000/= who was acting as the ACDO of Chegere Sub County. Apono had borrowed the fund in August 2015 from Abwal Youth Animal Traction group in Ongica Parish, Chegere Sub-County, Apac district.

Annual Partner Management Report Page 23 10. Challenges: 1. Interruption by the campaigns and election activities of 2016 general election with the many public holidays that were associated with the process and the Easter holidays which strechted the staff and the joining of active politics by some IBMs, the transitiotion process that included designing concept note and the main proposal for the bridge funding. Others were the renewal of the Certificate of registration of TAACC with the NGO Board of Uganda with the accompanying demands, then the Anti-Vote buying and selling campaign that TAACC was part of under the Alliance Coalition for Election Finance Monitoring (ACFIM). This engaged the staff and all the 216 IBMs so much during the year which led to working over week ends sometimes.

2. The fact that the former Board Chairperson of TAACC Hon. David Ebong was a Candidate in Apac district and his continuous association with TAACC was a challenge to differentiate the friendship with support by those who were not supporting him.

3. Threats and witchcraft by those implicated by TAACC to the extent that a mysterious dove carrying charms got to the office of TAACC on the night of 23rd June 2016 at around 11: 00 pm. The matter was handled by some religious leaders who are friends to TAACC,

4. The trend of the open corruption that was at the start of TAACC’s operation changed face to a less open type yet TAACC’s approach and design was more inclined to open corruption i.e the PET tool.

11. Key Project Learning and recommendations: 1. Given the changing trend of corruption from overt nature to covert form, TAACC needs to restrategise to the best tool like the Community Score Card – CSC and other non aggressive tools. 2. TAACC to sort out the IBMs that have succeeded in the elections and replace them which will go with training and refreshing the old IBMs. 3. TAACC to address the issues of many cases exposed versus the conclusion of the cases through restrategising its engagements with power centres.

12. Way Forward: 1. More synergy building with power centres to cause action from district, regional and national level, 2. Choice of an appropriate tool to address the changing trend of corruption by TAACC and building a strong strategic partnership with the media, target population and power centres (RDC, CAO, CIID, DISO and the office of the IGG) amongst others. 3. Sticking to evidence to champion the advocacy agenda of TAACC and designing a new strategy.

Annual Partner Management Report Page 24 TAACC annual plan broken down by quarter

THE APAC ANTI CORRUPTION COALITION (TAACC)

WORKPLAN FOR DGF PROJECT JULY 2016 - DECEMBER 2017 Project Title: Strengthening citizens’ capacity to monitor report and engage duty bearers for improved service delivery. YEAR ONE (JULY 2016 - JUNE 2017) Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION July August Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March April May June Objective 1. Empower citizens to monitor & report misuse of public resources & poor service delivery in target 3 districts. Activity 1.1 Conduct 3 days’ residential training for 216 IBMs. Activity 1.2 Organize civic education programmes.

Activity 1.3 Facilitate monitoring of Public Expenditure and public Service Delivery. Activity 1.4 Hold annual youth integrity forum.

Objective 2: Strengthen the capacity of duty bearers to constructively engage and provide effective service delivery to the citizens. Activity 2.1 Facilitate 08 Community Score Card (CSC) in social service delivery points. Activity 2.2 Hold quarterly District Integrity Promotion Forum (DIPF) meetings. Activity 2.3 Hold 1 engagement meetings with public accountability institutions. Activity 2. 4 Network linkages and reporting on accountability.

Objective 3. Strengthen the institutional capacity of TAACC to deliver services effectively to the target beneficiaries.

Annual Partner Management Report Page 25 Activity 3.1 Developing a five (5) year strategic plan.

Activity 3.2 Develop an Information management system. Activity 3.3 Organize 1 annual regional synergy workshops.

Annual Partner Management Report Page 26