September: Leadership and Governance

Uganda Fact File on Leadership and Governance

Under the doctrine of separation of powers, Parliament is the arm of Government, which makes laws to be implemented by the Judiciary while the Executive enforces the law.

Executive:

The Executive of the country is headed by the President and assisted by the Vice President, Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers. The President of Uganda is the Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and the Fountain of Honour. The executive authority of Uganda is vested in the President and is exercised in accordance with this Constitution and the laws of Uganda. With the approval of Parliament by a simple majority, the president appoints a vice-president. The Cabinet consists of the President, the Vice-president and such number of Ministers as may appear to the President to be reasonably necessary for the efficient running of the State. Cabinet Ministers are appointed by the President Cabinet with the approval of Parliament from among members of Parliament or persons qualified to be elected members of Parliament. The President may, with the approval of Parliament, appoint other Ministers to assist Cabinet Ministers in the performance of their functions.
Currently there are 73 ministers.

In the administrative structure there are 4 administrative units (Eastern, Northern, Western and Central) which currently have 111 districts. A district is subdivided into Counties and Municipalities or Towns depending on their size and other criteria set by the Ministry of Local Government. Every County is further subdivided into sub-counties, while municipalities are subdivided into divisions. The Sub-Counties, Divisions and Towns are further subdivided into Parishes and Wards, respectively. The Parishes and Wards are further subdivided into villages, which are the lowest administrative units.

Parliament of Uganda:

The Parliament of Uganda derives its mandate and functions from the 1995 Constitution, the Laws of Uganda and its own Rules of Procedure.
The Constitution contains articles which provide for the establishment, composition and functions of the Parliament of Uganda and empowers Parliament “to make laws on any matter for the peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda”, and “to protect the Constitution and promote democratic governance in Uganda”. The term of Parliament is five years from the date of its first sitting after a general election. The current Parliament (9th Parliament) started in May 2011 and ends in May 2016.

Currently there are 386 members of Parliament

Judiciary:

The Judiciary is a distinct and independent arm of Government entrusted with judicial authority, and mandated to administer and deliver justice to the people of Uganda. It plays a fundamental role in the promotion of law and order, human rights, social justice, morality and good governance.

 

Following the enactment of the 1995 Constitution, the Judiciary structure consists of the following courts;

1. 1. Supreme Court;
   2. Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court;
   3. High Court;
   4. Chief Magistrates Courts;
   5. Grade I Magistrate’s Courts;
   6. Grade II Magistrate’s Courts;
   7. The Local Council Courts;
   8. Family and Children Courts and Land.

September 2012 Theme: LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

Leadership is cause, all else is effect
Professor Stephen Adei

The protocols of the Jubilee season required strong leadership for them to be properly effected. Without strong leadership, many would resist the social and economic changes that came with the jubilee. Indeed Israel’s history shows that a time soon came when the jubilee protocols were not being followed and this was one of the causes of the Babylonian exile – so that the land would enjoy its accumulated sabbaths (2 Chronicles 26:21).

Effective leadership at home produces responsible and productive adults. It guides organizations and communities through times of peril and helps businesses become successful. It enables a not-for-profit organization to fulfill its mission. Without it, organizations move too slowly, stagnate, and lose their way. Leadership is crucial in implementing decisions: without it, good decisions may be made but failure often occurs at implementation stage.
Leadership starts with self-leadership progressing to the family and the community. However, the main principles under girding leadership are the same at whatever level.

Uganda’s leadership experience of the last 50 years has been a mixed bag ranging from benevolence to malevolence. This month we take stock of our leadership experience.

Commemorate and Celebrate:

1. 1. Looking back over the past 50 years, my positive and negative leadership achievements at the different levels are: Self-leadership …………..
   2. Family leadership …………….
   3. Professional leadership …………….
   4. Leadership at the work place ……………..
   5. Community leadership ………………

 

Your Leadership audit:

• Have you demonstrated the willingness to sacrifice self – interest for the good of those you lead?
• Are you receptive to ideas from those you lead and do you value them?
• Do those you lead receive empathy and understanding from you when faced with challenges?
• Do they find it easy or difficult to approach you when faced with challenges?
• Do your followers think you have a strong awareness of what is going on in your areas of responsibility?
• Have you demonstrated the ability to persuade rather than compel?
• Do your followers have the liberty to communicate their ideas and aspirations in your presence?
• Do your followers have confidence in your ability to anticipate the future and its consequences?
• Have your followers developed and grown and improved under your leadership?
• Is there a strong sense of community among those that you lead?

After answering the above questions, it would useful to have your follower(s) audit you by also answering them and then plan a discussion. The experience can be uncomfortable but very helpful in helping you improve your leadership delivery since all of us have blind spots which only others can help us see.

Celebrate your positive achievements.

Contemplate:

• Looking at your failures, what can you do to improve as you move into the future?
• What is your succession plan in the various leadership opportunities that you currently hold?
• Who are the people you are investing in to ensure the continuity of the leadership mandates that I have been privileged to have?
• What things are you doing to empower those that you lead?
• What steps are you taking to improve your service as a leader?

Jubilee Point of action for the month:

• Choose and plan to honor some one in leadership over you in the home, work or study place, church or community. Write them a note of appreciation or meet them to let them know how much you appreciate their leadership and the sacrifices they make on your behalf.
• Consider writing a thank you letter to your LC, MP or Police officer appreciating them for the work they do.
• Organize a know-your-leaders campaign – pay a courtesy call on one of your leaders in the community.
• Find the right forum to raise local issues of concern.
• Congregations: Think of ways you can honor and appreciate your spiritual leader(s) and their families

Jubilee Pledge for the month:

I pledge to improve my service as a leader to those that look up to me for leadership.

 

Jubilee Prayer for the month:

Pray that in the next fifty years Uganda will experience at all levels leadership that is:

1. God fearing
2. Visionary and progressive
3. Self sacrificing
4. Benevolent
5. Full of integrity
6. Just
7. Truthful