COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT 

The programme works to ensure that the Minister of Local Government establishes and operationalizes a participatory M&E function to improve local service delivery. It ensures that citizens and especially those at the grassroots participate in monitoring and evaluating public expenditure. The programme works with a National Network of Monitors and its branches at district level in 12 districts to enable them have a common voice. The entire process is coordinated under a tool called the Community Based Monitoring and Evaluation System (CBMES).
In Uganda, the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG) is responsible for policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the performance of Local Government structures. By working closely with MOLG, UDN has contributed its experience and expertise in participatory monitoring and evaluation so that Local Government structures become more efficient and effective in the delivery of services at the local levels, and are more accountable to the beneficiary communities.

The programme has three core result areas:

• Joint Annual Review of Decentralization (JARD) is transparent and participatory.
• An institutional partnership between Central, LGs,  small-holder farmer groups and CSOs established and operational in at least 4 districts
• A strengthened and sustainable Community Based Monitoring and Evaluation System (CBMES) in at least 12 districts. The CBMES approach aims at mobilizing communities to participate in the policy formulation processes. It empowers communities to acquire skills and knowledge to continuously participate in monitoring government programmes and influence the policy formulation processes.  CBMES uses multi-dimensional approaches involving grassroots communities to remain engaged in monitoring service delivery in their localities on a pro-active continuous basis.

DISTRICTS WHERE UDN OPERATES
Uganda Debt Network works in 12 districts in selected sub-counties. The districts are; Kamuli, Iganga, Bugiri, Kumi, Tororo, Kaliro, Namutumba, Amuria, Rakai, Bukedea, Bushenyi, Katakwi and Kanungu