A study entitled: The implementation of the APRM in Uganda: a critical evaluation was launched on 24 August, 2011 at the Serena Hotel.  The report was written by Samuel Bamulanzeki Tindifa, senior lecturer at the Makere University and Babuuzibwa Mukasa Luutu acting vice chancellor at the Marcus Garvey Pan African University.  Both researchers gave a presentation of the findings.  Rev. Zac Niringiye of the APRM Governing Council was the respondent.  He spoke at length and interrogated the report.  And opined that there was a missed opportunity to assess APRM impact on critical and challenging issues, such as population growth, unemployment and gender.  However, the authors in turn stated that the mandate of the study was to assess the process of the APRM, strengthens and weaknesses of the process, and although an impact assessment was included it had limitations based on promotion of national dialogue largely and other issues raised in the report.

During the Q&A session, issues about the lack of knowledge about the APRM at national level surfaced.  The big question as to whether should Uganda bother going through such an expensive and time consuming exercise was raised several times.  This was so because some participants stated that policy actors have shown that they do not intend on carrying out any of the commitments made.

Keynote speaker, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, who is a senior Member of Parliament, and commissioner of the commission, which sets/controls the agenda in parliament, spoke up against the perception that the Ugandan legislature is a rubber stamp institution, and has done little to promote the values of the APRM. 

 

He stated that he will go through the right channels to ensure that one of the key recommendations for a domestic legal framework, which will create over sight mechanisms to hold policy makers to account in implementing the National Programme of Action, is enacted.  He stated that there was also an option to bring in the legislation in the form of a private member’s bill, which he will also explore. 

 

The Hon. Member of Parliament challenged CSOs, the authors of the AfriMAP report and the APRM Commission to assist him during the drafting process of the legislation, since the APRM process was about participation and broad consultation.    There were approximately 80 people at the launch, which included the APRM Commission members, parliamentarians, trade unionists, youth activists, media, faith based organizations, and the diplomatic corps and community.  Pascal Kambale, Deputy Director  and Jeggan Grey-Johnson, Advocacy and Communications Officer, represented AfriMAP.