Return our Money Campaign

Arthur Larok, [NGO Forum] and Busingye [Action aid]

during a press conference for the return 

our money campaign

At the climax of the 2011 general election campaigns, Ugandans woke up to yet another scheme of blatant abuse of tax payer’s money, when UGX 20m was given to each Member of the 8th Parliament purportedly to monitor government programmes such as NAADS, just three weeks to the end of their tenure. In an effort to put a moratorium on such Government excesses.

NGOs responded with a multifaceted campaign dubbed “Respect Your Honor and Return our Money”, with a vision of compelling the Members of Parliament to return this money to the treasury.

Letters were written to citizens coupled with a robust media strategy that raised public awareness on the matter and generated momentum for action. A constitutional petition was also filed calling upon the judiciary to rule against the act as unconstitutional. Being in the midst of a heated campaigns period, the campaign was ill received by some sections of society and caused the arrest of a number of staff and volunteers of the National NGO Forum by state security agencies.

Despite such misfortune, the campaign registered a number of successes as to date over 16 opposition MPs and some NRM MPs have returned the money to the treasury, while it triggered public discussion around corruption which in effect became a major campaign issue.

Commendable solidarity has also been raised on these issues with the media- and currently there is sustained pressure on opposition Members of Parliament by their party leaders to return the money. The campaign however continues and is culminating into the Anti Corruption Convention, while renewed energy in the fight against corruption by several stakeholders is quite noticeable.

Story by: Eunice Musiime Kataaha
Programme Coordinator - Policy Engagement and Enhancement

Uganda National NGO Forum