Development Results on the Ground: What works in Mutual Accountability in Uganda and Why?

1. Development Results on the Ground:What works in Mutual Accountability in Uganda and Why? Presented at the ECOSOC 2012 Development Cooperation Forum 1st High-level Symposium Bamako, Mali 5-6 May 2011 by Timothy Lubanga, Assistant Commissioner for Monitoring and Evaluation, Office of the Prime Minister

2. Outline of the presentation • Introduction • Key Elements of The Mutual Accountability Framework • Implications of Monitoring Framework • Key messages and lessons

3. Introduction of the JBSF • History of Aid coordination mechanisms with varying degrees of success • Government Performance Management Framework • Joint Budget Support Framework (JBSF) - long-term, transparent and predictable framework for providing budget support that • Use of the National Performance Assessment System and Joint Assessment Framework • Harmonize Performance assessments • Align budget support decisions to the national budget processes • Improve the impact of Government spending and reduce transaction costs in the delivery of aid. • New Partnership Policy sets out guiding principles and priorities to manage the relationship with its Development Partners, within the context of the National Development Plan (NDP)

4. The key elements of Mutual Accountability Framework Partnership Policy • Highlights 4 broad objectives to improve the effectiveness of development cooperation through greater government ownership and leadership, strengthen economic management, accountability and policy coherence • Articulates the principles and the country’s policies on development cooperation • Highlights the roles of the various actors in the process of aid management and coordination • Contains a Monitoring Framework with a set of indicators for both development partners(donors) and government to be agreed upon by the parties and monitored on a regular basis

5. The key elements of Mutual Accountability Framework • Enhanced coordination by Government, with leadership provided at a high policy level • Joint performance assessment based on a National Performance Assessment built on extensive sectoral reviews • Focus on results and Value for Money • Time table that is linked to the national budget cycle • Memorandum of Understanding to be signed with donors based on the Framework • The use of key sectors to lead the process

6. The key elements of Mutual Accountability Framework • Policy preconditions for effective and efficient implementation of Government policies • Cross-cutting policy reforms to tackle systemic performance impediments • Specific actions in service delivery sectors (Health, Education, Water and Roads) • Mutual Accountability (Indicators being defined). There will be indicators for each development partner within the framework • Building on participation and leadership by Parliament, CSOs Government at highest level (AAA)

7. Implications of MA Mechanism • The commitments under this framework are not just for the sectors mentioned, but for the entire Economy, inclusiveness • Effective peer pressure effect • National ownership of the exercise as emphasized in AAA • Monitoring Framework contains manageable number of indicators (52) for the Country and Development Partners (donors). Each sector has just 3 indicators • Improvement in development results in the key service delivery sectors

8. Messages and Lessons • Strengthening of the Government Coordination and performance management structures • Increased participation of the civil society and local governments in the discussions as well as Cabinet • Provides an opportunity to review progress and address challenges to improve performance • Platform for enhancing accountability to Parliament and by Parliament • Improved learning within and across sectors

9. Key Messages and Lessons • Improved dialogue between Government and Development Partners • More predictable Budget Support, hence better planning, budgeting e.t.c • Strengthening Government systems – capacity development • Improved performance by sectors concerned • Reduced transaction costs • Harmonization

10. End Thank you