In July 2008, Policy Forum signed an agreement with Mwanza Policy Initiative (MPI), a CSO/CBO network operating in Mwanza region, to work with them to develop their social accountability monitoring programme. A monitoring team was formed, comprising of staff and volunteers from NGOs and CBOs who were members of MPI.The first advocacy issue was identified by Mwaloni Fish Market Association, a member of MPI. This association comprises fishermen and those who sell fish at the Mwaloni Fish Market. In September 2008, Mwanza City Council announced that the fish market levy would be increased by 100% with effect from September 2008. The Fish Market association did not feel that this was fair because they felt they were already taxed very heavily and yet the plumbing in the fish market had been dilapidated for several years and the local government was not doing anything to rectify this situation despite the sanitation and health issues they faced as a result. Poor sanitation within the fish market was contributing to the cholera and typhoid outbreaks that were a regular occurrence in Mwanza.

Despite the significant contribution of the fish market to the city council’s budget, they were excluded from the city council’s participatory planning and budgeting process (O&OD), which was accessible to civic actors by invitation only from the Council. Other civic organisations contributing significantly less to the Council’s coffers, were invited to participate in this process.