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Begin New Search Topic Public Opinion Author Matthias Krönke

1. Health for everyone, everywhere?

Author:
Lionel Osse Essima and Matthias Krönke
Publication Date:
04-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Afrobarometer
Abstract:
The theme of World Health Day 2024 (7 April) is “My health, my right” (World Health Organization, 2024). A key component of the message is to encourage governments to deliver on citizens’ right to health by making health services “available, accessible, acceptable and of good quality for everyone, everywhere.” How close are African governments to meeting this ambitious goal? Since 1990, the burden of disease has decreased substantially in Africa (Roser, Ritchie, & Spooner, 2024; also see Figure A.1 in the Appendix). Between 2000 and 2019, Africa recorded the world’s greatest growth in healthy life expectancy, which rose from 46 to 56 years (Adepoju & Fletcher, 2022). Further, between 2015 and 2021, the under-5 mortality rate fell from 87 to 74 deaths per 1,000 live births across sub-Saharan Africa (United Nations, 2023). According to the World Health Organization, these gains were achieved through increased provision of essential health services and better access to care and disease prevention services (Adepoju & Fletcher, 2022). Despite these important advances, however, many Africans still do not have access to high quality health care. Compared to other world regions, the gap is particularly acute when it comes to communicable, neonatal, maternal, and nutritional diseases (as opposed to non communicable diseases and injuries) (see Figure A.2 in the Appendix). While sub-Saharan Africa saw the world’s fastest growth between 2015 and 2022 in the proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel, from 59% to 70%, the continent also recorded about 70% of the world’s maternal deaths (United Nations, 2023). At least part of the explanation is a lack of health workers; as of 2021, sub-Saharan Africa had an average of 2.3 medical doctors and 12.6 nursing/midwifery personnel per 10,000 people, compared to 39.4 and 89.5 in Europe (United Nations, 2023).
Topic:
Education, Public Opinion, Social Services, Public Health, and Healthcare System
Political Geography:
Africa

2. Law enforcers or law breakers?

Author:
Matthias Krönke, Thomas Isbell, and Ronald Makanga Kakumba
Publication Date:
01-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Afrobarometer
Abstract:
In late 2020, Nigerians gripped the world with massive protests against police brutality and impunity, focusing on the country’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) (Al Jazeera, 2020; George, 2020). Three years after pictures of the #EndSARS demonstrations went viral and the SARS unit was disbanded, at least 15 protesters remain in arbitrary detention, and reports of police abuses continue unabated (Agboga, 2021; Amnesty International, 2021, 2023a; Uwazuruike, 2021). Elsewhere in Africa, and in other parts of the world, the media frequently report on unprofessional behaviour, selective enforcement of the law, unlawful arrests, corruption, use of excessive force, and other human-rights abuses by the police (New York Times, 2022). These violations are not limited to suspected criminals and public protests against the police, as in the case of #EndSARS, but also occur during pivotal moments of democratic accountability (e.g. elections), health emergencies (e.g. COVID-19), and routine citizen police encounters (e.g. traffic stops). For example, recent elections in Zimbabwe (2023), Uganda (2021), and Tanzania (2020) were marred by police repression and brutality targeting opposition politicians and their supporters (Reuters, 2023; Human Rights Watch, 2023a; Kakumba, 2022; Salih & Burke, 2020). During the 2021 election campaign in Uganda, security forces killed at least 54 people (Amnesty International, 2020).
Topic:
Corruption, Public Opinion, Professionalism, Polls, and Police Brutality
Political Geography:
Africa

3. Value for money?

Author:
Ronald Makanga Kakumba and Matthias Krönke
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Afrobarometer
Abstract:
Governments rely on tax revenue to finance investments in human capital, infrastructure, and public services for their citizens. The quality of government services and a country’s development can be jeopardized if taxes are not collected, are squandered, or are misappropriated by the government. According to statistics from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), about 2.6 million Ugandans were registered taxpayers as of September 2022, but only about 1 million Ugandans are actively paying taxes (Kayiwa, 2022; Oketch, 2021). Analysts attribute the low tax-revenue collections to inadequate administrative capacity, weak checks and balances, and a lack of social norms for tax compliance, among other factors (Lakuma & Lwanga, 2017). Even so, during the 2021/2022 financial year, the URA collected 21.7 trillion Ugandan shillings (UGX) (USD 5.9 billion), its highest-ever revenue collection, reflecting a 12% increase over the previous year. This amount fell just short of the target of UGX 22.4 trillion (Wanyenze, 2022). However, there is little cause to celebrate, for several reasons.
Topic:
Corruption, Public Opinion, Tax Systems, and Revenue
Political Geography:
Uganda and Africa

4. Brutality and corruption undermine trust in Uganda’s police: Can damage be undone?

Author:
Ronald Makanga Kakumba and Matthias Krönke
Publication Date:
08-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Afrobarometer
Abstract:
The police are responsible for enforcing the law, preventing crime, maintaining public order and security, and protecting people’s lives and property. Yet Uganda’s police have often been criticized for brutality meted out against the very citizens meant to be under their protection. Since 2008, more than 100 civilians have reportedly been killed by Ugandan security officers, while many more have suffered injury, harassment, and abuse, often during protests and recently during aggressive enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions (Taylor, 2021; Human Rights Watch, 2011, 2021, 2022; Guardian, 2021; 2022). Uganda’s national media also continues to report countless cases of repression by the police, particularly against journalists, political activists, and political opponents. Yet accused officers regularly go unpunished; critics contend that laws and provisions regarding the use of force by police officers in Uganda are lax and protect the police (Kiconco, 2018; The Law on Police Use of Force, 2022), and that internal accountability mechanisms such as the police disciplinary courts, regional police courts, and police council have fallen short of their intended objectives (Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, 2006)
Topic:
Corruption, Public Opinion, and Police Brutality
Political Geography:
Uganda and Africa