About The Institute for Governance &Social Justice(IGSJ)

Institute for Governance & Social Justice (IGSJ)

1. Background

Institute for Governance & Social Justice (IGSJ) is a network of civil society organizations, individual groups and associations that aims at promoting good governance and balanced development in the local governance in areas of socio-economic and political advancement by directing attention towards bridging the gap between policy making and the common man and between the policy promises and policy actions for better service delivery.

IGSJ as a network does it work by carrying out advocacy on the mode, understanding and acceptability of laws and policies passed at national level to ensure that the voices of grass root voices are captured and included in the policy making promises through direct and active participation and involvement of the populace expected to abide by them vis a vis implementation and compliance.

Since its inception in 2010, IGSJ has embarked on the set of key initiatives focusing on; Capacity building, knowledge building, participatory research, citizen-centric development and policy advocacy. With a combination of training, research and consultancy, it has grounded its work with conceptual rigor and understanding of social reality to command the strategic direction of intervention in the local governance arena.

IGSJ adopts 3broad approaches in its ongoing programs:

First, it intervenes directly in the field primarily in the specific right based issues that broadly promote citizens’ collective voices to make demands on governance institutions to claim their rights, access justice and services, and ensure accountable utilization of public resources in the development programs

Second, IGSJ provides on-demand advisory and consultancy services to a wider variety of clients nationally, regionally and internationally. It utilizes its practical knowledge and professional expertise in various fields to offer participatory and sustainable solutions to improve supply sides of development and democracy.

Third, IGSJ offers training programs in numerous human and social development themes, drawn from its rich experiences in advisory services and extensive research projects being undertaken. Within the framework of learning for social change, these training courses are offered in distance modes, sometimes especially designed for a client and many times in partnership with premier educational and JLOS institutions such as police, the judiciary, directorate of public prosecutions and prisons as well as the local government institutions.

IGSJ focuses on issues of promoting participatory methodologies and engage itself by working with multiple actors in development. It also promotes participatory democratic governance by working closely with elected representatives at all levels, the government and civil society groups.

We further undertake research and capacity building on variety of issues related to strengthening civil society and enhancing participation of marginalized groups and communities in development.

2. Introduction

Uganda has come a long way to register tremendous achievements in areas of socio-economic, cultural, legal, environmental and political transformation especially in enhancing the tenets of good governance and development, however; in the recent past Uganda has experienced retrogressive trends in governance, constitutionalism, rule of law manifested by massive corruption, abuse of human rights, particularly the sexual and gender based violence, electoral malpractices, extreme poverty with a widening gap between the poor and the rich and massive environmental degradation among other. Whereas, the government has been credited for positive reforms in legal regime, institutional and policy frame work, their effectiveness have not yet benefited the common person at the grass root levels. 

In relation to the above, there is seemingly evidence to show that there is a widening gap and missing link that connects the leadership of both at the central and local government levels and the grass root communities in addressing such issues, Therefore, IGSJ intends to bridge the gap by advocating and  sensitizing the grass root populace about the elements of a functioning democracy, governance, constitutionalism and promotion and protection of human rights whereby the leadership at all levels is accountable to its citizens and are aware that they have the rights  and obligations to a better  environment in which they live in for the current and future generations.

Different communities in Uganda are at different levels of development due to factors ranging from illiteracy, poverty and poor governance. This situation is made worse by corruption that has been entrenched in all sectors and government programs. Efforts so far employed to fight the scourge have not yielded much most especially due to ignorance of the masses about their rights, available laws and relevant institutions to approach for consultation when the need arises. It is the same ignorance that some members of the public participate in corruption tendencies such as bribery without knowing that it is illegal and is likely to impinge development of their communities. Most people have been made to believe that they have to pay for the services even when they are entitled to it. Extensive sensitization is paramount.

IGSJ undertakes to form synergies with relevant networks that work towards achieving sustainable democracy, governance and development. It is believed that through participatory policymaking, social policies and actions can be sensitive to local cultures and needs, and the protection of human rights; hence fostering good governance and sustainable development.

Achievable development and good governance strategies cannot be realized in a society that is composed of people who, besides being poor, are uninformed and lack basic skills about the very issues that affect their daily lives. Yet, as the country continues to face new and emerging challenges associated with globalization and arrangements such as global warming, governance issues, HIV/AIDS, climate change among others, a critical mass of populace have got to play a  key role and be involved at all levels.

Public participation and diverse social partnerships are vital for the protection and promotion of human rights as well as good governance and development. This should not be an exclusively government affair. The public has got to be sensitized about issues such as; constitutional rights and obligations; sexual and gender based violence; rule of law; environment abuse; among others. Rights awareness is especially important among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups as well as the State and civil organizations working with them.

IGSJ still believes that public participation contributes to policies which respect civil and political as well as economic, social and cultural rights. Also, policies resulting from participatory processes are likely to be perceived as legitimate by the population. There are many ways of creating avenues for public participation, including ad hoc public hearings, advisory boards or formal consultative bodies.

IGSJ therefore, seeks to ensure that all the people in its area of operation mentioned, regardless of education levels and exposure, fully understand their rights and obligations and are, at all times, able to defend the constitution in the quest for good governance and development entitlements, civil and political rights as well as social-economic rights, among others.

IGSJ also seeks to establish centers to work as for information/ research hubs, public libraries, meetings/training and recreation facilities.

3. Vision:

IGSJ’s vision is of a world where informed, empowered citizens actively participate in the process of deepening democracy with tolerance towards its large numbers and diversity, a just society where human rights and rule of law are respected, human dignity is respected and human development is facilitated to benefit the underprivileged.

IGSJ’s Vision of a desired world is based on values of equity, justice, freedom, peace and solidarity with a philosophy, knowledge is not only power until it’s applied-that takes forward all its actions.

4. Mission

The mission of IGSJ is to work towards the promotion of policies, institutions and capacities that strengthens the voices against marginalization of grass root communities and increase the participation of the marginalized in the society. People’s voices and expressions input into their life chances as it avows principles of dialogue, consultation, consensus, and popular consent in decision making and public policies is a key factor in working towards achieving balanced development in all sectors both private and public.

The idea is ultimately to improve their socio-economic status through democratic governance. IGSJ’s mission is to reach out through such governance to everyone in society and to ease his/her participation in the governance process. The community should be able to hold their leaders accountable for their decisions and actions at all times, hence promoting good governance and balanced development in all the regions of the country.

5. Objectives

(i)    To promote equality, opportunity and the rule of law by advocating for access to Justice, Human Rights, fighting corruption and the Right to Development;

(ii)    To promote public awareness on all government programs/processes and recognition that transparent, responsible, accountable and participatory government, responsive to the needs and aspirations of peoples is the foundation good governance rests;

(iii)   To offer legal services to the needy and the vulnerable including arbitration and mediation in inter- tribal conflicts.

(iv)   To set up research/information centers that will enable the use of evidence based approach to facilitate informed debates/discussion, dialogue on governance and developmental issues.

6. Targeted Groups

These groups include the marginalized especially the women and Orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC), Local Leaders, local communities, youth, women, religious & cultural leaders, media, community based organizations, private sector, Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS), and the students.

Citizens’ rights and responsibilities are nurtured through a balanced engagement between authority and accountability. A harmony between economic and social development for the targeted groups is sought in an eco-friendly manner where local priorities are not sacrificed to global demands, where individual freedom and autonomy is sustained with collective solidarity.

7. Project Areas:

a)   Deepening Local Democratic Governance through Social Accountability

One of the fundamental tenets of democracy is active citizenship- a form of citizenship with rights and obligation not only conferred upon by the democratic government/state but also practiced by the citizens. Democratic governance assumes engaged citizenry which demand transparency and accountability from the governance institutions and the latter reciprocate by responding to such demands. However, despite quite impressive quantitative progress on the electoral democracy in the country, the qualities of democracy and democratic governance are less impressive.

The project aims to:

      I.        Enhance the qualities of democracy in local governance institutions for improving the provision of basic services to the most marginalized communities

    II.        Address the deficits of democratic practices particularly participation, transparency and accountability mechanisms due to which these institutions often to deliver services effectively and equitably. The program further focuses on enhancing organized civic actions and participation through mobilization, capacity building, campaigns and participatory monitoring in ensuring accountability.

Expected outcomes:

      I.        Enhanced capacities of marginalized communities and groups to engage in regular, sustained and constructive dialogues with local governments at all levels through monitoring and demanding quality services

    II.        Enhanced capacities of local governments to institutionalize social accountability mechanisms and to include needs of marginalized communities in planning and decision making.

   III.        Enhanced capacities of local civil society organizations to engage in activities that promote democratic local governance and linkages with practitioners of local governance in Uganda.

  IV.        The national policies and programs on local governance will be informed based on the lessons learned from the program with regards to mechanisms of social accountability practices and participation of marginalized.

b)   Promotion of Access to Justice for the Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (OVC)

8.    Areas for support

IGSJ requires political will and financial support towards the strengthening of the Organization to increase its presence in all the regions of the country to be able to achieve balanced development and to carry out its activities as envisaged in their five year work plan and beyond.

9.    Conclusion

Laws and policies are ultimately intended to benefit all the citizens including the grass root communities which, in most cases, laws and policies are passed without their knowledge and participation but their full complacency is expected.  Let us form a synergy that will promote good governance practices and create society where everyone is involved in making the decisions that affect their lives. Without wide consensus, social reform may not be sustainable.