Participatory action research, strengthening institutional capacity and governance: Confronting the urban challenge in Kampala

Urban governance presents the most daunting and challenging task for sub-Saharan African countries in this century (Rakodi, 1997: 3; Rakodi, 2001; 5; McGill, 1988; 6). Africa is urbanizing faster than any other region. The level of urbanization stands at 39.1%, with annual rates of growth ranging between 8% and 13%. It is estimated that by 2025 half of the African population will be urban. This demographic shift, particularly in the sub-Saharan region, presents major problems for urban management. Although urban management programs of infrastructure development, financial management, economic development, environmental planning, spatial development mechanisms and social services provision continue to be enhanced, there is a mismatch between the program outcomes and need. Due to this shortfall, alternative strategies have been sought but with little documented evidence of successes, failures and lessons because of limited evaluation. The importance of research-informed policy is underscored by the apparent disconnect between actors in the urban field. These actors include city managers, researchers, political leaders and most important, communities. The latter are often disregarded yet they largely influence the development path and shape the fabric of urban space. Even where communities are engaged, they exert less influence than other actors on urban policies and programs. This paper examines how participatory action research is changing the relationships between researchers, communities and city authorities in a search for alternative approaches to address urban poverty and environmental challenges in Kampala – in particular service delivery, solid waste management and flood control. Based on an action-research and development project conducted in Kampala since 2006, there is evidence that communities can be galvanized not only to design solutions to their problems, but also to engage with city authorities through information sharing platforms about their needs and thus bolster outcomes of urban development programs through improved governance

Making communication work for the transformation of agriculture in Uganda A Study of the PMA Communication Campaign : a study of the PMA communication campaign

ABSTRACT Agriculture constitutes the biggest source of income for the majority Uganda s population. But beyond that it constitutes a huge potential for National development through increased GDP and can be a major catalyst for growth and improved quality of life through higher household incomes. Presently, although most Ugandans rely on agricultural production as their chief source of income, most of it is subsistence farming which does not promise much income and only a small proportion of the nation s agricultural production is commercial. In recognition of these possibilities for development through agriculture, the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA) has been developed to provide the leadership to harness the potential. Unlike previous attempts at poverty eradication and National development, the PMA adopts a multi-sector approach meant to bring together different components in a holistic approach to agro-development. This is a noble goal, but the multi-dimensional approach creates new questions and contradictions that need to be dealt with early if the programme is not to suffer. Above all, the need to aggregate a multitude of ideas and interests calls for a very open and participatory approach. Participation should be built into all components of the programme. It is against this background that this study sets out to evaluate the PMA dissemination and sensitisation strategy (communication strategy)that forms the basis of the awareness and sensitisation programme. Basing on theories and models of mass communication, development communication and participatory communication, the study suggest some best practices for the design and implementation of successful communication campaigns. The study surmises that the underperformance of the agricultural sector despite the huge potential is more than a problem of science but one to do with attitude. Tradition, social and economic dimensions must be appreciated and incorporated within the communication strategies. The emphasis here is on a social approach to development support communication (DSC) programmes