To advocate for clear guidelines in the implementation of the CDF, as a mechanism for transparency and accountability in the utilization of public resources so as to benefit the poor people of Uganda. The call for streamlined Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is one of the first steps in the wider campaign for the prudent utilization of public resources.

UDN's concern was that Government’s commitment to a) improving the quality of life of the poor b) increasing the incomes of the poor c) equal protection of citizens’ rights etc seem to be undermined by the questionable public expenditure patterns, for example, manifested by the lack of adequate guidelines for the disbursement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).  

Uganda Debt Network started the campaign by carrying out a desk review, field visits and interviews with the sampled number of the Members of Parliament. These findings were later presented to the public through a press conference. Uganda Debt Network’s position was that the guidelines that were used for Members of Parliament to access and use the money were not clear and hence there were loopholes that would culminate to misuse of public resources.

Activities undertaken

UDN carried out a number of activities in pursue of the irregularities associated with the CDF. The activities included the following;

1. A letter to the Speaker of Parliament was written. The purpose of the letter was to request for a meeting to discuss UDN’s recommendations on the CDF and also solicit UDN’s participation on the review process of the CDF guidelines.
2. The UDN Briefing Paper on CDF was published into a small booklet which was distributed to key stakeholders (IGG, DEI, Donors, Ministry of Finance etc). See Briefing Paper
3. Media was invited to participate in the meeting with the Speaker of Parliament.See press statement
4. Letters were sent out to all Members of Parliament, leaders of Political parties and the Head of State on UDN’s recommendations on the CDF.
5. The Final Report was presented to Parliament and the press. See Final Report

Origin of CDF

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) arose out of a Presidential pledge to MPs that was intended to relieve them from the pressures of their constituents with regard to promised development projects.

In a number of meetings with the President, MPs complained that their constituents always expected them to contribute to development projects in their area. This therefore put a lot of pressure on the MPs, as they always used their own money to contribute to such projects. The President then promised the MPs that in the 2005/2006 national budget, the Government would include funds for the MPs to use in their Constituencies. The Parliamentary Commission decided to call this fund Constituency Development Fund (CDF).