A delegation from the Committee on Budget of the Ugandan Parliament has arrived in Nigeria to gain firsthand knowledge of the country’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and its role in grassroots development. The study visit aims to explore how Nigeria’s constituency project system operates and assess its potential applicability in Uganda.
Speaking at a capacity-building workshop organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja, the Chairman of the Ugandan committee, Mr. Philip Opolot, highlighted the importance of the visit. He explained that, in Uganda, all development funds are currently under the control of the executive, which allocates and implements projects as deemed necessary. However, discussions are ongoing about allowing lawmakers to manage CDF directly, given their deeper understanding of local community needs.
The workshop, themed “Maximizing Impact through Effective Utilization of Constituency Development Fund for Better Quality Representation at Parliament,” provided a platform for engagement between Nigerian and Ugandan legislators.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar O. Sulaiman, emphasized the significance of constituency relations in democratic governance. He noted that in a modern democracy, citizens expect continuous engagement with their elected representatives to ensure their needs are addressed effectively.
“The process of maintaining active constituency relations is mutually beneficial,” Prof. Sulaiman stated. “For lawmakers, it helps in gathering policy inputs, understanding community needs, and assessing the effectiveness of legislative policies. For constituents, it provides a direct avenue to communicate their concerns and priorities to their representatives.”
He further underscored the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a crucial tool for grassroots development, enabling legislators to implement community-driven projects. “Effective management of these funds promotes transparency and ensures resources are allocated efficiently in alignment with national development priorities,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Uganda’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Philip Odidah, commended the Nigerian National Assembly for its leadership in strengthening legislative institutions across Africa. He described the role of parliaments in democracy as indispensable, stressing that legislators are responsible for enacting laws, providing oversight, and ensuring governance aligns with the aspirations of the people.
“This capacity-building initiative is a commendable effort to equip Ugandan parliamentarians with the tools necessary for effective governance, democratic engagement, and best practices in legislative work,” Ambassador Odidah remarked.
Prof. Sulaiman encouraged the Ugandan lawmakers to take full advantage of the expertise shared at the workshop, emphasizing that it was an opportunity for constructive dialogue, experience-sharing, and deeper inter-parliamentary collaboration between Uganda and Nigeria.
The visit underscores the increasing cooperation between African legislatures in advancing democratic governance, accountability, and effective constituency-based development strategies.
