The Chairperson of Mukono District Local Government, Hon. Rev. Dr. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, has urged the Ugandan government to provide financial assistance to civil society and non-government organizations (NGOs), many of which are currently struggling to operate due to reduced or withdrawn donor funding from international partners.

Hon.Bakaluba made the appeal while officiating at a consultative meeting held at Ridar Hotel Ltd in Seeta, Mukono. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as part of a nationwide effort to review the National NGO Policy (2010) and the NGO Act Cap 109.

In his remarks, Bakaluba emphasized the vital role NGOs play in supplementing government services, particularly in hard-to-reach communities. He cautioned that without timely government intervention, many NGOs could collapse—leaving gaps in service delivery for vulnerable populations.

The event attracted officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, heads of various NGOs, district technical staff, security personnel, and key stakeholders involved in NGO operations.

Dr. Okello Stephen, the officer in charge of NGO affairs at the Ministry, said the nationwide consultations aim to gather views from diverse stakeholders on how best to improve the legal and policy framework. He acknowledged the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to a more inclusive process.

Governor Bakaluba also raised concerns over the increasing number of NGOs being deregistered or closed, allegedly due to perceived political affiliations or suspicions of radical activity. He called for fairness, transparency, and thorough investigations before action is taken against such organizations.

Referring to the recent announcement by the U.S. government regarding budget cuts to Uganda—including funds supporting NGO work—Governor Bakaluba reiterated that many NGOs are now financially incapacitated and need urgent support from the government to continue serving communities.

Yona Wanjala, head of Civic Advisory Hub, urged NGO leaders to actively participate in these consultative processes. He noted that lack of trust and the rapid introduction of new regulations have destabilized the sector, leaving many leaders unprepared.

Robert Kibaya, chairperson of the NGO Forum in Mukono District, echoed similar sentiments. He highlighted the heavy operational burdens placed on NGOs, including high registration costs and frequent demands for financial returns, calling for a review and reform of such practices.

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