By Esther Nakayima - Programme Officer

The great divergence is a term coined by Nobel-prize winning economist Paul Krugman to describe the trend in the United States that resulted in skyrocketing income inequality. While rising income inequality has become a global trend, it is not universal as there are some countries such as France that are becoming more equal.  In Uganda for the last two decades we have experienced an impressive growth rate averaging six per cent over the last two decades. Despite this remarkable growth rate, the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen. Consequently it means that the majority of Ugandans are excluded from the benefits that have accrued from the country’s economic growth.

A recent World Bank Report on Uganda which focused on promoting inclusive growth argued that although the country needs to be recognized for its achievements, there are a series of elements, looking forward that require the attention of policy makers if the inequality is to be reversed. The report highlights the fact that there are opportunities and challenges that will be created by the focus of our National Development Plan on transformation of the economy into high productivity areas, but that could come with increasing inequality trends. Another element is the discovery of oil which will no doubt enhance growth prospects, but its effects on poverty reduction will depend on public policies more than the standard trickle down results.

By Esther Nakayima - Programme Officer PEE

Uganda has a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for citizen participation enshrined in its constitution such as decentralization policy and access to information act. However there are threats and contradictions to these otherwise progressive policies.

The NGO registration statutes and recent NGO Policy that became operational in 2010 is causing concern. The prospect of CSOs having to re-register annually under the Ministry of Internal Affairs is seen as a means of controlling NGOs which are seen as too critical of the government.

A study entitled Joint Evaluation of Support to Civil Society Engagement in Policy Dialogue that looked at how CSOs in Uganda are effectively engaging in policy processes revealed that the successes of CSOs in policy dialogue is attributed to formation of coalitions and networks, comprehensive research and analysis, media advocacy and social mobilization.

By Eunice Musiime Kataaha, Programme Coordinator, PEE

THE negative impacts of heavy rains and continuous down pour that we have witnessed in the recent months, have reinforced the need for us all to call for action to mitigate climate change. As Ugandans we must speak up for climate justice.

Globally, the world is preparing for another United Nations Conference of Parties (COP 17) on climate change that critics have dubbed conference of promises, procrastinators and polluters as the major developed countries drag their feet on whether a successor agreement to the Kyoto protocol that expires in 2012 will be agreed upon and instead are proposing a voluntary arrangement.

By Eunice Musiime, Programme Coordinator, PEE 

I read with dismay the remarks attributed to the newly elected UPC president Dr. Olara Otunnu in the local press. Otunnu was quoted as having called for an investigation into the Luwero massacres also known as the Museveni Bush War.

I reacted to this article on two levels. Firstly, what came to mind was Jesus' taught his flock that an eye for an eye was never a solution.

On another level, however, having grown up mainly in Museveni's regime, my memory of government under political parties is thin and uninfluenced by history. Nonetheless, I still feel that my opinion should not be ignored by those who want to lead us come 2011 and beyond.

Arthur Larok, Director of Programmes

Will the ‘Arab Spring’ jumpstart similar style revolutions in ‘Black Africa’? This is the question on many a person’s lips, with majority of people quietly expectant and hopeful that it could and maybe should. Many believe and rightly so, that for all the good things that they have done for their respective countries, the world could be a better place without the likes of Gadaffi (RIP), Mubarak, Saleh Assad, Robert Mugabe, Laurent Gbagbo, possibly Museveni and other such leaders who often outlive their usefulness at the helm of power.