Keywords
Civil Society Organisations
Corruption
Good governance
Service delivery
How to Cite
Abstract
Purpose: This study evaluates the impact of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in combating corruption in Uganda, examining their strategies, achieved outcomes, and the contextual factors influencing their effectiveness.
Method: A qualitative research design was adopted. Data were collected through interviews with 58 purposively selected respondents drawn from CSOs, government agencies, and faith-based institutions engaged in anti-corruption initiatives. Thematic analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti software.
Findings: The findings reveal that CSOs play a significant role through advocacy campaigns, monitoring of government programs, civic education, and follow-up on Auditor General recommendations. These interventions have contributed to increased public awareness and enhanced grassroots demand for accountability and improved service delivery. However, the persistence of high corruption levels indicates structural constraints, including limited political will, intimidation of CSO actors, bureaucratic resistance, selective enforcement of anti-corruption laws, and institutional fragility.
Originality: Although legally recognized as partners in governance frameworks, CSOs operate within a politically restrictive environment that substantially limits their transformative impact. The study argues that CSO participation in anti-corruption efforts in Uganda often reflects institutional tokenism rather than genuine empowerment. The research contributes to broader debates on societal accountability, governance reforms, and the structural limits of civil society influence in corruption-prone environments.
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