Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present corporate social responsibility (CSR) as an alternative roadmap to accelerating realization of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Uganda, even after 2015. Design/methodology/approach – Using a mixed research methodology, this research documented CSR activities of 16 companies operating in Uganda. Data collection was guided by quantitative and qualitative methodologies (semi-structured interviews with CSR managers, plus non-participant observation of CSR activities and projects linked with MDGs). Triangulation was used to ensure credibility and validity of the results. For data analysis, the authors followed a three-stepwise process, which helped to develop a framework within which the collected data could be analyzed. For generalization of the findings, the authors were guided by the “adaptive theory approach”. Findings – Uganda will not realize any MDGs by 2015. However, CSR activities have the potential to contribute to a cross-section of various MDGs that are more important and relevant to Uganda when supported by the government. If this happens, realization of the MDGs is likely to be stepped up. CSR's potential contributions to the MDGs were found to be hindered by corruption and cost of doing business. Lastly, MDG 8 and MDG 3 were perceived to be too ambiguous to be integrated into company CSR interventions, and to a certain extent were perceived to be carrying political intentions which conflict with the primary business intentions of profit maximization. Practical implications – Governments in developing countries that are still grappling with the MDGs can use this research when devising collaborations with private-sector companies. These documented CSR activities that contribute directly to specific MDGs can be factored into the priority public-private partnership arrangements. Private companies can also use these findings to frame their stakeholder engagement, especially with the government and also when setting CSR priorities that significantly contribute to sustainable development. Originality value – This research advances the “Post-2015 MDG Development Agenda” suggested during the United Nations MDG Summit in 2010, which called for academic and innovative contributions on how MDGs can be realized even after 2015.
The tourism sector (TS) in Uganda is predominantly nature based with potential to easily affect the fragile ecosystems. The sector is the top exchange earner, employs a significant proportion of the workforce, especially the unskilled, and contributes to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage sites. Therefore, if not managed properly, which must be preceded by documentation, the TS could lead to the destruction of the very resources upon which it depends. The concept of sustainability has often been used to indicate the need to ensure that tourism is developed in such a way that it minimizes the negative impacts. Inspired by the government's current drive to develop tourism cities, in this paper, we analyze the unsung/untouched paradise potential of tourist attractions (UPTA) in three purposively selected municipalities in Uganda. We use the concepts of attractions, activities and sustainability in a broader sense. The results are based on an extensive study of documents, unstructured interviews and observations. Our findings indicate that the three municipalities studied have a variety of UPTA that have potential to contribute to the social, economic, environmental and institutional essentials of sustainability. The UPTA also have a strong multiplier effect of creating jobs for marginalized groups and providing opportunities for designing inclusive institutions and policies. Such findings re-affirm that broadening the scope of sustainability and attractions beyond their physical references re-asserts the importance of UPTA amidst the current criticisms. This means increased livelihoods for not only the youth and women but also adults with high prospects to enhance household incomes. Furthermore, tapping into the UPTA contributes to revenue generation and foreign exchange earnings in the country.
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