The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Mitigating Misuse of Public Funds in Uganda; A Case Study of Teso Anti-Corruption Coalition (Tac), Soroti District

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

LIST OF ABRREVIATIONS v

TABLE OF CONTENT S vi

ABSTRACT x

CHAPTER ONE 1

1.0 Introduction I

1.1 Baclcground to the Study

1 .21-listorical Background

1.2.1 Global Perspective on the Misuse of Public Funds 1

1 .2.2Continental/Africa Perspective on Misuse of Public Funds 3

1.2.3 Regional/East Africa Perspective on Misuse of Public Funds 3

1 .2.4Local/Uganda Perspective on Misuse of Public Funds’ 5

1.3 Conceptual Background 6

1.4 Contextual Background 6

1.5 Statement of the Problem 7

1.6 Objectives of the Study 8

1.6.1 General Objective 8

1.6.2 Specific Objectives 8

1.7 Research Questions 8

1.8 Scope of the Study 9

1.8.1 Geographical Scope 9

1.8.2 Content Scope 9

1.8.3 Time Scope 9

1.9 Significance of the Study 9

1.9.1 To the Researcher 9

1.9.2 To Teso Anti corruption Coalition 10

1.9.3 To the Government 10

1.9.4 To Other Scholars/Students 10

vi

1.10 Definition of Term .10

1.10.1 Misuse 10

l.10.2PublicFunds 10

1.10.3 Mitigating 11

1.10.4 Civil Society Organizations 11

1.10.5 Teso Anti corruption Coalition 11

CHAPTER TWO 12

LITERATURE REVIEW 12

2.0 Introduction 12

2.1 Justification of the persistent Misuse of Public Funds 12

2.2 The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Mitigating Misuse of Public Funds 15

2.3 Challenges Faced by Civil Society Organizations in Mitigating Misuse of Public Funds

17

2.4 Assessment of the Impact and Remaining Gaps 18

CHAPTER THREE 20

STUDY METHODOLOGY 20

3.0 Introduction 20

3.1 Research Design 20

3.2 Area of Study 20

3.3 Sampling Procedure 20

3.4 Data Collection Methods and Tools 21

3.4.1 Interview 21

3.4.2 Key Informant Interview Guide 21

3.4.3 Focus Group Discussion Guide 21

3.4.4 In-depth Interviews 21

3.4.5 Documentary Review 22

3.5 Data Processing and Analysis 22

3.5.1 Editing 22

3.5.2 Coding 22

3.5.3 Data Analysis 22

vii

CHAPTER FOUR .24

PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS 24

4.0 Introduction 24

4.1 Knowledge and Awareness of Misuse of Public Funds 24

4.2 Reasons for the Persistent Misuse of Public Funds in Soroti District 26

4.2.1 Inadequate Information on Government Accounts by the Public and CSOs 26

4.2.2 Greed among the Public Servants 27

4.2.3 Poverty and Low Salaries among the Civil Servants 27

4.2.4 Poor Monitoring of Government Projects 28

4.2.5 Ignorance among Community Members 28

4.2.6 Economic Development and its Effects 28

4.3 The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Mitigating Misuse of Public Funds in Soroti

District Local Government 29

4.3.1 Watch Dog Role 29

4.3.2 Raising Public Awareness and Sensitizing the Community on Misuse of Public Funds

29

4.3.3 CSOs Directly Engage in Tracking Government Accounts 30

4.3.4 Protection of Whistle Blowers, Reporters and Corruption Activists 3~

4.3.5 Monitoring of Government Projects and Activities 30

4.4 Challenges Faced by Civil Society Organizations When Mitigating Misuse of Public

Funds 31

4.4.1 Inadequate Finances and Over Dependence on Donor Funding 31

4.4.2 Lack of Information on Government Accounts on Contracts 31

4.4.3 Fear by Whistle Blowers and Other Witnesses to Testify in Courts of Law against the

Accused 32

4.4.4 The Changing Face of Misuse of Public Funds 32

4.5 Suggested Solutions to the Challenges Faced by CSOs in Their Efforts to Mitigate

Misuse of Public Funds 33

4.5.1 Widening the Financial Base for CSOs 33

4.5.2 More Sensitization Campaigns and Mandatory Provision of Information to CSOs and

the Public 33

4.5.3 Strict Laws and Implementation 34

VIII

CHAPTER FIVE .35

SUMMARY, GENERAL CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 35

5.1 Summary 35

5.2General Conclusion 36

5.3 Recommendations 37

5.3.1 Recommendations for Further Research 38

REFERENCES 40

APPENDICES: RESEARCH TOOLS 42

APPENDIX 1 42

APPENDIX II 43

APPENDIX III 44