In light of the closure of the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), NGOs are being urged to shift their focus to local funding sources. This shift comes as a strategic response to the significant gap left by the DGF, which ceased operations two years ago. The DGF had been a major financier for NGO activities, supporting democracy, human rights, justice, and accountability.
During a recent workshop on resource mobilization for African NGOs in Kampala, Mr. Hillary Emma Musoke, the private secretary to President Museveni for Youth, Agriculture, Value Addition, Innovation, and Export Promotion, emphasized the importance of tapping into local Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. He highlighted opportunities with big companies such as Riham, Pepsi, Rwenzori, MTN, and Airtel, noting that NGOs must position themselves as relevant, organized, and trustworthy partners to secure funding from these sources.
Mr. Timothy Mugerwa, chief consultant of Astute Strategies, advised NGOs to enhance their organizational and infrastructural capacities. He stressed the need for NGOs to evolve with the changing times to meet 21st-century standards. Mugerwa pointed out that many African NGOs miss out on donor funding due to their inability to manage and run projects effectively, leading to a lack of trust from donors who often prefer to channel funds through foreign organizations.
Astute Strategies supports NGOs in becoming more professional in their operations, offering training in areas such as financial reporting and project management to help them attract serious partners. Mugerwa emphasized the importance of competence and professionalism in building donor confidence.
Ms. Priscilla Kisakye Mugume, a panelist, recommended that NGOs collaborate with like-minded organizations to avoid duplicating services and adhere strictly to donor policies. She shared a cautionary tale from her experience, where a breach of donor policy nearly cost her job, underscoring the importance of compliance.
This push for local funding aligns with the broader context of recent government actions. In 2021, President Museveni suspended the DGF, accusing it of operating without proper oversight. Additionally, the National Bureau for NGOs suspended 54 NGOs for issues such as expired permits and failure to file annual returns.
The shift towards local funding not only addresses the immediate gap left by the DGF’s closure but also fosters greater accountability, relevance, and sustainability for NGOs operating in Uganda.
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