Paper short abstract:

The case study will examine the role of domestic leadership in the evolution of Uganda's social protection system since 2010 and the role played by international cooperation through the Expanding Social Protection (ESP) Programme Management Unit (ESP-PMU). See http://socialprotection.go.ug/

Paper long abstract:

Social Protection has gained prominence in the Uganda's policy discourse since 2010. The flagship Senior Citizen Grant (SCG) piloted since 2010, with support from DFID and Irish Aid, and the formulation of a new policy in 2015 have set the stage for a broader ambitious vision for an inclusive life cycle social protection system. The SCG is currently being scaled up nationally in 2020 with Government financing over 70% of the costs while the country's third national development plan has prioritised social protection as a key investment for supporting human capital development.

The case study will examine:

• how domestic leadership has evolved to introduce social protection, in particular the role of political leaders combined with domestic and international incentives;

• the successes of the ESP programme and the influencing process through a PMU based within the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (e.g. combining technical inputs with politically smart engagements)

• the role played by external actors;focing on ESP operational modalities and how DFID and Irish Aid have adjusted their traditional approach to support an influencing programme, working as partners rather than aid funders-implementers.

The presenter will be David Lambert TUMWESIGYE, Strategic Social Protection Policy & Advocacy Advisor in the Directorate of Social Protection in Uganda's Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development

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