Navigating institutionalized community-based monitoring and accountability forums: women's participation in Uganda’s Local Government Barazas
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Date
2026-05-18
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
This dissertation explores the involvement of women in Uganda Local Government Barazas- forums of the community that are aimed at facilitating citizen participation, social responsibility and deliberative democracy. Although there are legal pledges on gender equality, women are still participating in such forums in an unequal manner. This gap is filled by the study by a gender- specific study informed by three theoretical perspectives; Deliberative Democracy Theory, Principal-Agent Theory, and Emancipatory/Transformative Theory. Using a step-by-step explanatory mixed-method design, the study was carried out in Kalaki District. The survey questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and non- participant observation were used as data collection methods. Descriptive statistics were applied to the quantitative data, and the data of qualitative research were analyzed through thematic analysis. The results show that the attendance frequency and active involvement of women in Barazas is low. There are no inclusive mechanisms aimed at encouraging the participation of women or they are poorly executed. Women view the Barazas as being of little value, inclusion and effectiveness. The main obstacles are structural (e.g. time poverty, household duties), cultural (e.g. gendered expectations of public speech), logistical (e.g. distance, transport), and institutional (e.g. poor facilitation, no follow-up system) barriers. Enablers that are identified are mobilization networks, access to information and supportive facilitation. These findings are interpreted in the discussion in the light of intersecting inequalities and power dynamics and are compared to the literature on citizen engagement that is available. The paper concludes that existing Baraza practices are not as transformative as gender inclusion. Policy suggestions to policymakers, local governments, the Office of the Prime Minister, civil society, and development partners would be required to make the facilitation gender-sensitive, put up follow-ups, and build mobilization networks. Further studies should be conducted in the future to compare urban and rural districts, longitudinal examination of participation patterns, and other marginalized groups.
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Undergraduate