Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Uganda have discontinued or downsized activities due to the country’s suspension of Democratic Governance Facility (DGF)’s operations.
Local media reports say a number of the NGOs have temporarily stopped staff from working while others have introduced a shift model for employees to reduce costs.
It is understood that the most affected civil society organisation (CSOs) include those engaged in accountability, human rights and good governance, as well as democracy.
Development Diaries had reported the suspension of the operations of DGF and its principal funders in Uganda by President Yoweri Museveni.
The president, in a letter to the country’s Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, alleged that DGF bankrolled non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies to undermine him.
The suspension of DGF’s operations sparked uncertainty and panic over the future of about 74 CSOs, which are beneficiaries of DGF grants.
According to Daily Monitor, some CSOs have temporarily sent staff on leave pending resumption of DGF funding.
Executive Director of Kick Corruption Out of Uganda, Robert Kakuru, said since the DGF grants were suspended in Uganda, his organisation’s activities have been on standstill.
‘The fact that the government of Uganda supervises all the activities of all NGOs in the country [through the National NGO Bureau] whose work plans are readily available, it should deal with any organisation suspected of committing any offence rather than suspending the entire programme in the country’, he added.
Other struggling NGOs include ActionAid International-Uganda, Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment, African Centre for Media Excellence, Africa Freedom of Information Centre, African Centre for Energy and Mineral Policy, and African Centre for Trade and Development.
DGF started operations in 2011 as a five-year programme, which is now running its second five-year plan until December 2022.
The humanitarian outfit, Development Diaries understands, is financed by governments of Denmark, Ireland, Austria, UK, Sweden, Norway and the European Union.
It aims to ensure equitable growth, poverty eradication, rule of law and long term stability in Uganda.
But Museveni said, ‘How is it possible that the Ugandans whose affairs are being dealt with here can only be spectators in the management of their own affairs?
‘This is not the financing of a private business but the funding of state and non-state actors to achieve the political objective of the funders’.
Local media reports claim that sources familiar with the situation told them that the DGF issue was brought to the president’s attention in January at the height of the election campaigns.
Source: Daily Monitor
Photo source: Chatham House
