he moderator called the house to order by requesting them to sing the National anthem and UCAA anthem.

The UCAA BOD Chairperson welcomed all guests and recognized their presence and those not yet in absence. She welcomed the secretariat to the function that handles development issues that cuts across to the people we serve.

The chairperson assured the Guest of Honour that in such function the country in regionally represented and went a head to introduce members.

She emphasized that what will be deliberated shall be consumed by the whole country. By the fact that the issue of discussion has been in parliament for long, some issues can beef up national discussion and declared the forum open.

The moderator, referred to land issues on internet and topical letters, emails to speaker of parliament all refer to land challenges, highlighted on dimensional land issues for purpose of enlightening the house so that deliberations can be backed and fruitful.

As one of its activities, the UCAA secretariat normally organizes annual National Development Forums where a debate is carried out. The topics for debate during these forums are` carefully chosen depending on a contemporary issue that is affecting our society. This is for purposes of raising awareness amongst Change Agents and other development partners and together look for a way forward.

INTRODUCTION

For this year, the topic was “How has corruption affected service delivery to Ugandans today?’’ Invitation to defend the topic was given to Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, who is the chairman Public Accounts Committee [PAC] in the Ugandan parliament and also Member of Parliament representing Budadiri West. Invitation to oppose the topic was given to Hon. Stephen Mukitale Biraahwa Adyeri, chairman economic monitoring committee in the Ugandan Parliament and also Member of Parliament representing Buliisa county.

At 3:30 p.m, the guest speaker arrived and his presence was recognized officially by the UCAA Chairperson, Leonard Ssengonzi. Attendance in this forum was a total of one hundred and twenty five [125] participants. Most of the participants were Change Agents who represented the whole country. There were also UCAA staffs in attendance and partners coming from other organizations namely: Uganda Land Alliance, Network of Ugandan Research and Research Users, Uganda Debt Network, Child Fund International and African Renewal ministries, a Christian Non Governmental organization.

The Regional Program Officer for South Western who moderated the forum gave a brief background of the association, highlighted the topic of discussion and introduced the three panelists; Hon. Salim Saleh, the State Minister for Micro Finance, Dr. Ezra Suruma, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Ms. Ruth Namusubo, a rural woman from Iganga town branch in Iganga district.

INTRODUCTION

The UCAA’s Board of Directors Vice Chairperson welcomed everyone to the forum. The Regional Program Officer for South Western who moderated the forum gave a brief background of the association, highlighted the topic of discussion and introduced the three panelists;

Hon. Salim Saleh, the State Minister for Micro Finance

Dr. Ezra Suruma, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development

Ms. Ruth Namusubo, a rural woman from Iganga town branch in Iganga district

He then opened the floor for the first discussant to give her views and perception on the topic.

The National Development Forum is one of the activities that UCAA conducts at National level. It is aimed at creating awareness on issues of concern or issues that affect the populace, Change Agents inclusive. Technical people are normally invited to present papers on an identified issue in order to create awareness among the Change Agents and other UCAA stakeholders.

INTRODUCTION

This year, the NDF successfully took place on 25th May 2012. Attendance was over 100 people including journalists, guests, UCAA staff and change agents. The theme for debate this time was high population growth rates and land conflict. There were presentations from Ms Judy Adoko, the Executive Director for Land and Equity Movement in Uganda (LEMU), then Mr. Musa Wamala Buyungo, the coordinator for Uganda Parliamentarians forum on Food Security, land and development.

Their presentations are as seen in their copies but what we want to capture here mainly are the reactions of the participants to the presentations. Generally most reactions were just in conformity and complimenting the presentations.