THE STATUS OF LOCALLY LED DEVELOPMENT IN UGANDA AND CO-CREATION

As a Leader from the grassroots of Kigezi, this event is more than a milestone—it is a reaffirmation of our collective belief in the power, potential, and leadership of local actors in shaping the development trajectory of our country. Thanks to our partners CAPAIDS and CIVICUS for making this possible.

For decades, development efforts in Uganda and across the Global South have been heavily influenced by external agendas. While these efforts have brought progress, we must also acknowledge the growing recognition that lasting change is most effectively driven from within. Today, we are gathered to champion a shift—from development for local communities to development by and with local communities. As local actors, we have been intentionally, progressively and strategically deconstructing the narrative that CSOs are Anti Government and serve the foreign interests thus taking the initiative to promote and enhance development centred on local knowledge and resources complementing the development efforts by our government under the able leadership of our President His Excellence Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Locally led development is not merely a slogan—it is a transformative approach rooted in trust, accountability, equity, and sustainability. It affirms that communities are not passive beneficiaries but are, in fact, agents of change who possess deep insights, contextual knowledge, and innovative solutions. Uganda is rich in this local wisdom, and our development models must reflect this richness.

Moments like these have a lot to say about the RIPPLE EFFECT that we as local leaders are mandated to create.

We don’t have to take anything for granted because History will judge us BUT which part of History would you want to be judged on?

Nothing comes out of the blue BUT with the right intentions and positive effort disregarding the errors committed along the way will always open doors that no one could otherwise imagine. Are we ready to walk through those doors and who are on the other end of the room and what can they possibly do to support?

With the leadership of CAPAIDS through the LLL, I am happy to note that we participated in the extensive consultations that covered the 07 sub-regions of Uganda and this Position Paper offers a timely and evidence-based examination of where we stand. It highlights our achievements, including growing local capacity, policy reforms, and the increasing vibrancy of community-based organizations. But it also lays bare the persistent challenges: limited access to flexible funding, uneven power dynamics in partnerships, and the need for more inclusive, transparent decision-making processes.

Crucially, the Paper makes a call to action for co-creation—a process where all actors, including government, donors, civil society, and communities, work together from the beginning to design, implement, and evaluate development initiatives. Co-creation is not just collaboration—it is a shift in power, a sharing of responsibility, and a mutual commitment to dignity and results.

As we reflect on this, I want to acknowledge the efforts of all those who contributed to this Position Paper—the researchers, practitioners, community leaders, and policy advocates that com

Eastern and Central Uganda. Your voices have shaped a document that is not just a critique, but a vision—a vision for a Uganda where local leadership is the foundation of national development.

pose the 133 local actors from the 6 sub-regional consultative workshops in the sub regions of West Nile, Acholi and Lango, Karamoja, Eastern and East Central, Western, Southw

Let us, therefore, use this moment not just for reflection, but for renewed resolve. And therefore commit to:

• Increasing direct funding to local organizations, ensuring they are not only implementers but co-owners of development.
• Building genuine partnerships that are grounded in mutual respect, dignity and shared accountability.
• Institutionalizing co-creation practices within government and development agencies, making them the norm rather than the exception.
• Listening to local voices, especially those that are marginalized—women, youth, people with disabilities, and rural communities.

In conclusion, the launch of this Position Paper is a stepping stone—not the end, but the beginning of a journey toward a more equitable, inclusive, and effective development paradigm in Uganda. Let us walk this path with purpose, unity, and an unwavering belief in the leadership of our people through understanding the context and ownership identification as well as partnership fronting the marginalised community voices that development partners have for long been leaving behind in development decisions and partnership opportunities for their welfare.

I Thank you.

“For God and My

 Country”

TAREMWA ALBERT –

ED LOSCO based in Kigezi sub Region

Board Member – N

CHRD-U

HRDs Coordinator for Kigezi Sub Regio

n

C4C Representative – Kigezi Sub Region.