Uganda Programme Inclusive Decisions At Local Level (IDEAL) The main focus of IDEAL Uganda is to strengthen the governance capacity of local governments and their respective associations to play its role in the delivery of territorial development services. Whilst the re-centralization trend in Uganda, it seems that decentralization has boiled down to a central transfer of functions and resources, which is managed in a top down manner, without active engagement or empowerment of the local government. As a result, while by law Ugandan local governments enjoy a large degree of autonomy, in practice, they are very dependent on the central government, hampering the local governments’ discretionary space. This impedes local governments from having a general mandate/ competence over functions of their own choice, in addition to specific competences related to delegated services and functions. Yet, to be active actors in development, local governments need autonomy to effectively reach out to communities and offer them the opportunity to get involved.

The performance of local governments in Uganda is hampered by several challenges, among which A) the impact national politics has on local government, B) the inability to meet citizen demand for services as the tax base of local governments continues to erode, C) the corrosive impact of social conflict stemming mostly from poverty and exclusion, complicated by tribal and ethnic differences and D) the challenges of developing honest and effective leadership in local government. These challenges impact on the legitimacy of local governments, which in a large part is influenced by the following three dimensions A) the extent to which local governments have (autonomous) space to act and respond to local needs B) the extent to which planning and budgeting processes are inclusive and C) the processes and mechanisms available for downward accountability to local communities. 

When strengthened, UAAU and ULGA will have the capacity to respond to and mobilize their constituents and in their lobby and advocacy role in relation to the national government and development partners (and have a coordinated voice where possible), so as to ensure that local government structures are sustainably reinforced. In addition, when the local governments are strengthened they will be able to effectively address the drivers of conflict in a more conflict and gender sensitive way, by planning their actions in a more inclusive manner . The IDEAL Uganda programme will work towards achieving the following outputs:
* Output 1.1 The capabilities of technical and political staff to deliver and monitor territorial development services, which are responsive to local needs are strengthened  
* Output 1.2 The capability of relevant departments within Ugandan local governments to provide effective territorial development policies services (in collaboration with external partners where needed) is enhanced
* Output 1.3 The provision of effective, responsive and sustainable territorial development services, by the relevant departments is gender sensitive
* Output 2.1 The capabilities of Ugandan local government councils to use their discretionary space, guide decision making and to champion local legitimacy is enhanced
* Output 2.2 The capability of ULGA and UAAU to represent its members’ interests, to advocate for an improved regulatory framework and to stimulate the use of discretionary space by local governments is strengthened
* Output 2.3 The capability of technical staff within Ugandan local governments to manage inclusive and transparent decision-making, planning and budgeting processes is enhanced 
* Output 3.1 LG councils and relevant departments are sensitized and strengthened on the inclusion of gender in their decision making (planning and budgeting) processes. The impact of the overall IDEAL programme is: The stronger social contract between local governments and citizens has enhanced local governments' capacity to cope with fragility risks.

The outcomes of the IDEAL Uganda programme are:
* Outcome 1: The delivery and monitoring of services aimed for territorial development by Ugandan Local Governments is more effective and responsive.
* Outcome 2: Local decision-making, planning, budgeting, (financing and Own Source Revenue) processes for the purpose of territorial development by Ugandan Local Governments are more inclusive and participatory.
* Outcome 3: ULGA and UAAU enhance the enabling environment for Ugandan local governments to enact their roles and to use the discretionary space in improving territorial development. The main focus of this programme is to strengthen the governance capacity of local governments and their respective associations. The final selection of local governments will be made during the inception phase.