Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are being encouraged to seek funding from local donors instead of relying solely on Western countries.
Hillary Emma Musoke, the private secretary to President Museveni for Youth, Agriculture, Value Addition, Innovation, and Export Promotion, highlighted the potential of local Corporate Social Responsibility funds from large companies like Riham, Pepsi, Rwenzori, MTN, and Airtel. He emphasized the importance of NGOs being relevant, organized, and seen as joint partners rather than entities that merely register, obtain a certificate, and disappear after receiving funds.
During a workshop on rethinking resource mobilization for African NGOs in Kampala, Mr. Musoke said: “We have rich people and big companies that take away our profits. NGOs must be relevant and organized to tap into these resources.”
Timothy Mugerwa, the chief consultant of Astute Strategies, advised NGOs to develop their human capital and infrastructural capacity. He stressed the need for NGOs to adapt to the evolving climate to meet 21st-century standards. He pointed out that many African NGOs miss out on donor funding because they lack the capacity to manage and run projects, leading to 80 percent of donor funding going to foreign organizations due to trust issues with local NGOs.
Mr. Mugerwa added that Astute Strategies is assisting NGOs in becoming more professional in their operations. He noted that many African NGOs struggle with funding, proposal writing, financial reporting, and year-end reports, which portrays incompetence. He encouraged NGOs to seek expert training to become professional and attract serious partners.
Panelist Priscilla Kisakye Mugume recommended that NGOs partner with like-minded organizations to avoid duplicating services. She also urged NGO leaders to adhere to donor policies, sharing a personal experience of nearly losing her job due to non-compliance with donor rules.
The call for NGOs to tap into local donors comes after the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), a significant NGO financier, ceased operations two years ago. The DGF provided financial and technical support to partners promoting democracy, human rights, justice, and accountability.
In February 2021, President Museveni suspended the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) activities, citing improper government oversight. The government also suspended at least 54 NGOs in 2021, citing reasons such as expired permits and failure to file annual returns.
