Deliberative polling in Uganda

A report on Africa's first two deliberative polls, conducted in July 2014 in Uganda (Bududa and Butaleja Districts).

The model was used to address the challenge of floods in the Mt. Elgon region. Due to recurrent floods and landslides in the region, the government has issued and implemented policy directives on land-use in the region, including resettlement and integrated wetland management (planting of trees, managing water channels, and rational agricultural practices). Despite these directives, communities continue to encroach on high-risk zones (wetland areas, river banks and the mountain). Conclusion: Lasting solutions to climate risk in rural communities will require continuous information-driven dialogue between community members and implementers to address major misconceptions and information asymmetries regarding risk mitigation policies.

Source: Center for Deliberative Democracy (Stanford University) and Resilient Africa Network (Makerere University)

Year of publication: 2015