Browsing by Author "Singiza, Douglas Karekona"

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    Chewing more than one can swallow: the creation of new districts in Uganda
    (University of the Western Cape, 2011) Singiza, Douglas Karekona; de Visser, Jaap
    This article analyses the process of creating districts. It briefly discusses the local government system in Uganda and introduces the phenomenon of the increase in the number of districts. It continues with an analysis of why, in principle, the creation of more districts may be beneficial to Uganda. However, it focuses also on the financial burden that these newly created districts place on the locality and the state in the context of the role of districts in facilitating the realisation of socio-economic rights in Uganda. The article examines the resources needed to sustain a new district and draws conclusions with regard to the impact on the decentralisation programme.
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    Decentralisation in Uganda : a critical review of its role in deepening democracy, facilitating development and accommodating diversity
    (University of the Western Cape, 2014) Singiza, Douglas Karekona; De Visser, Jaap
    Uganda, like many African countries in the 1990s, adopted decentralisation as a state reform measure after many years of civil strife and political conflicts, by transferring powers and functions to district councils. The decision to transfer powers and functions to district councils was, in the main, linked to the quest for democracy and development within the broader context of the nation state. This thesis' broader aim is to examine whether the legal and policy framework of decentralisation produces a system of governance that better serves the greater objectives of local democracy, local development and accommodation of ethnicity. Specifically, the thesis pursues one main aim: to examine whether indeed the existing legal framework ensures the smooth devolution process that is needed for decentralised governance to succeed. In so doing, the study seeks, overall, to offer lessons that are critically important not only for Uganda but any other developing nation that has adopted decentralisation as a state-restructuring strategy. The study uses a desk-top research method by reviewing Uganda's decentralisation legal and policy frameworks. In doing so, the thesis assesses decentralisation's ability to deepen democracy, its role in encouraging development and its ability to accommodate diversity. After reviewing the emerging soft law on decentralisation, the thesis, finds that Uganda's legal framework for decentralisation does not fully enable district councils to foster democracy, facilitate development and accommodate diversity. The thesis argues that the institutions that are created under a decentralised system should be purposefully linked to the overall objective of decentralisation. Giving a historical context of Uganda's decentralisation, the thesis notes that institutional accommodation of ethnic diversity in a decentralised system, particularly so in a multiethnic state, is a vital peace building measure. It is argued the exclusion of ethnicity in Uganda's decentralisation is premised on unjustified fear that ethnicity is potentially a volatile attribute for countries immerging from conflict. It maintains that the unilateral creation of many districts, the adoption of a winner-takes-all electoral system, the absence of special seats for ethnic minorities as well as the vaguely defined district powers and functions do not serve the overall objective of decentralisation. The thesis also finds that district councils are overregulated, with little respect for their autonomy, a phenomenon that is highly nostalgic of a highly centralised state. The thesis therefore calls for immediate reforms of Uganda's decentralisation programme.
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    The unresolved ethnic question in Uganda’s district councils
    (Law, Democracy & Development, 2015) Singiza, Douglas Karekona; de Visser, Jaap
    This article examines the legal and constitutional framework for the election of district councils in Uganda because the design and practice of elections in Uganda has an impact on Uganda’s ability to follow through on the promise of respecting and encouraging diversity through decentralisation. The article concludes that the law and practice surrounding the election of district councils reveal the political exclusion of ethnic minorities. It is argued that this is contrary to the stated policy objectives of decentralisation in Uganda and only serves to further promote the political dominance of the ruling party.