Kampala — Kawempe North legislator Hon. Elias Nalukoola has rejected a proposed NGO Funding Act, questioning the logic of government-funded non-governmental organizations while they are expected to address failures in state service delivery.
Speaking during parliamentary debate on the proposal, Nalukoola took aim at its proponent, activist and entrepreneur Nyanzi Martin Luther, asking, “You want the government to fund NGOs, yet you are here to help in what the government has failed to do.”
Nalukoola argued that NGOs exist precisely because of gaps in government service delivery, warning that placing them under direct government funding could compromise their independence and effectiveness. He stressed that NGOs should be treated as partners in development, not extensions of the state.
The proposed NGO Funding Act seeks to introduce a framework through which NGOs and community-based organizations would rely more on government funding instead of foreign donor support. Supporters of the proposal argue that the move would strengthen accountability, reduce donor dependence, and align NGO activities with national development priorities.
However, Nalukoola cautioned that such an approach risks weakening civil society, noting that many organizations operate in sectors where government intervention has been inadequate or completely absent. He cited areas such as healthcare, education, humanitarian assistance, and grassroots community development.
The legislator further argued that if government systems were functioning effectively, the need for NGO intervention would be minimal. Instead of tightening control over NGOs or restructuring their funding, he urged government to focus on addressing failures in public service delivery.
The proposal has generated mixed reactions from lawmakers and civil society actors, with critics warning of possible politicization, misuse of public funds, and erosion of NGO independence.
Uganda’s NGO sector is currently regulated under the Non-Governmental Organisations Act, 2016, which governs registration, operations, and compliance requirements for civil society organisations.
As debate on the proposed NGO Funding Act continues, the outcome is expected to significantly influence the future relationship between the government and civil society, particularly in the delivery of development and humanitarian services across the country.
