UGANDA – Nyanzi Martin Luther, a prominent Ugandan entrepreneur and media figure, has called on the country’s next Parliament to prioritize passing legislation that would increase local funding for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). His remarks highlight growing concern over the heavy reliance on foreign aid in Uganda’s civil society sector.
Speaking in Kampala on Wednesday, Nyanzi, who is the founder of Apex Digital Skills and CEO of NUP Radio, said Ugandans are “tired of seeing European Union funding NGOs in Uganda yet we pay tax here.” He argued that the country needs an NGO Funding Act that ensures taxpayer money also supports local development organizations.
“Foreign donors have been helpful, but they shouldn’t be the only source. Ugandans deserve to see their own taxes working in support of their own communities,” he said.
The call comes as several local NGOs continue to face financial uncertainty amid shifting donor priorities and stricter regulatory scrutiny. Many community-based organizations struggle to sustain operations due to limited access to local support, Nyanzi noted. Apex Digital Skills, which Nyanzi founded, is preparing to transition from an NGO into a certified education institution. He says the organization has helped hundreds of young Ugandans acquire digital skills and access job opportunities, and believes government-backed funding could scale up such efforts nationwide.
Nyanzi also mentioned that Apex is in discussions to receive financial support from the European Union, but emphasized that domestic sources of funding must be institutionalized to ensure long-term sustainability.
“If local NGOs were supported by government through a proper funding framework, we would not only build stronger institutions but also reduce dependency on foreign influence,” he added.
As Uganda prepares for its next parliamentary cycle, the proposal for an NGO Funding Act is likely to fuel wider debate over civil society independence, transparency, and the role of foreign aid in national development.
