Chair
NAME:
ORGANISATION:
Co Chair
NAME:
ORGANISATION:
Key DPG messages/Priorities
The Government of the Republic of Uganda has integrated core principles of equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination within its Constitution and national legal framework. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development puts the principles of equality and non-discrimination at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals, including in its commitment to
“leave no one behind.” Development partners providing development assistance to Uganda are committed to ensuring that these standards and principles are consistently upheld (e.g., equality and non-discrimination, participation and inclusion, accountability) in the delivery of all development programs and initiatives.
In May 2023, Uganda enacted one of the most restrictive laws against sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) – the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 (AHA). Since its enactment, civil society organizations (CSOs) have reported that members of the LGBTQ+ community continue to experience evictions, unjustified arrests, violence, discrimination, extortion, etc., led by both State and non-state actors.
Development Partners are working with the Government of Uganda to identify measures to ensure: (a) no one, especially vulnerable and marginalized individuals or groups – including, but not limited to SGMs, is discriminated against in accessing development resources and benefits whether financed by Government or development partners, and (b) development programs are implemented in a manner that is consistent with social and environmental standards.
Objectives
The IND DPG reports to the Local Development Partners’ Group (LDPG) and supports the coordination efforts at national level. The LDPG is the Apex of Development Partners’ Groups (DPGs). The LDPG is responsible for providing strategic guidance, oversight and is accountable for the DPGs. Development Partners’ Groups (DPGs) are the backbone of Development Partners’ dialogue with Government. DPGs are responsible for coordinating Development Partners’ engagement on technical issues and developments. DPGs are crucial for informing LDPG decision-making and policy engagement. DPGs report regularly to LDPG.
The IND DPG’s aim is to enhance coordination and common messaging to ensure inclusion and non-discrimination in all donor-funded projects. Data (which will be shared at the aggregate level) from members will be captured and treated with the upmost level of confidentiality, analysed, and referred to relevant stakeholders including relevant projects. This will also provide critical learning on what is required to enhance response and monitor the additional measures put in place considering the principles of safety, ethics, and confidentiality in the collection, collation, storage, transfer, and management of data.
Objectives
The IND DPG is a platform where members will:
- Share information on issues of discrimination and non-inclusion in donor funded programs at an aggregate level:
- The World Bank to update members on the Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) mechanism and implementation of corrective measures and progress on managing cases of discrimination, exclusion and/or retaliation in relation to the AHA.
- Members to update on ongoing monitoring and cases of discrimination, exclusion and/or retaliation, including in relation to the AHA.
- Facilitate inter-organizational collaboration and hear periodically from external experts (non-members) on inclusion and non-discrimination.
- Coordinate common messaging amongst the development partners for the Government to adopt policies and laws that include all Ugandans.
- Maintain an overview of the situation and issues that require national attention.
- Assess the learning needs and support training and capacity building activities among partners.
- Document and disseminate good practices on inclusion and non-discrimination.
- IND DPG co-chairs on a quarterly basis to update the LDPG on key outcomes on issues of discrimination and non-inclusion in donor funded programs.
- Develop a workplan to monitor progress and ensure timely follow-up.
Governance, membership, and structure
The NDI DPG is co-led by World Bank and the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator.