Hard times: NGOs urged to mobilise resources locally
This follows the closure of the European-domiciled Democratic Governance Facility [DGF] in Uganda about two years ago, leaving several NGOs financially inept to the extent that some had to close shop.
MBARARA, July 12, 2024 – A total of about 40 Non-governmental organisations [NGOs] in Ankole Sub-region have come together to launch an organisation known as Grassroots Defenders Fund [GDF] to mobilise resources locally to finance their activities.
This follows the closure of the European-domiciled Democratic Governance Facility [DGF] in Uganda about two years ago, leaving several NGOs financially inept to the extent that some had to close shop.
Number One Irene, Chairperson of the newly established GDF, said it is meant to help local human rights defenders in Ankole handle challenges encountered while fighting for the rights of people.
“This organisation [Grassroots Defenders Fund ] is meant to secure funds for other organisations in case there is an urgent need. For example, when human rights defenders or journalists are imprisoned we can use this money to obtain bail or bond, replace the vandalised equipment, and deploy moral support in case of depression among others”
During the launch of the Fund at Hotel Triangle in Mbarara City recently, Irene confirmed the availability of over Shs 150 million that has so far been collected from membership and annual subscriptions.
“We call upon all Ugandans and other groups which are still there to come and be part of the fund so that we work together to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms,” she added.
According to Irene, an individual pays membership of Shs 50,000 and annual subscription of Shs 100,000 while organisations pay membership of Shs 200,000.
Irene said the fund proposal came from an orientation training programme, whereby NGOs realised a need to mobilise local resources.
“So far we have over 30 registered member organisations. GDF is a fund of the grassroot defenders and it only focuses on members, any person who is not a member is not allowed to benefit and there are certain parameters we look at before you get a fund,” she said.
However, Irene said the membership and annual subscription cannot sustain GDF, thus calling upon funders and well-wishers to support the organisation.
“We shall be contacting donors and I hope there are so many people out there who are willing to give a hand either financially or materialistically but before you look from your neighbour it has to start with you. Otherwise, we cannot only depend on membership subscription; this is just a curtain raiser to mobilise more support from donors and well-wishers,” she explained.
On her part, Shallon Ndyamusiima, GDF National Coordinator said the organisation has been formed at the time when human rights defenders and journalists are facing intimidation and harassment from the human rights violators.
“The biggest challenge that we face is intimidation from the oppressors and those who support oppressors. But the world needs human rights defenders and that is why we have established the Fund [GDF] to help protect them if anything happens to them,” Ndyamusiima said, adding that human rights defenders in hard – to – reach areas need support to do their work.
In the same vein, Dona Kyomugisha, Director Centre for Women in Development and Coordinator GDF Ankole Sub – region said, “We carry out a lot of interventions to help people whose rights have been violated in the villages and this means we need money to do this work.”
“We also sensitise communities to understand their rights and you cannot do all that work without money. This is a reason as to why we are calling upon the well-wishers of justice to support the fund,” Komugisha added.
On her part, Fiona Masika, Coordinator, Friends of women Initiative [FROWI], encouraged her colleagues to remain strong and fight for the rights of people who are oppressed.
“Being a human rights defender is inherent, no one coaches you, no one gives you the tips to become one, but human rights violators out there are after us because they feel like we are interfering with their business,” Masika said
The chief guest Christine Ainomugisha, from Uganda Human Rights Commission [UHRC] Western Region urged the human rights defenders to report to the Commission in case they come across anybody whose rights have been violated.
“Mostly the violators are government officials right from LC I up to the President’s office I would say. So my advice is that should a violator be a government official, that matter should be directed to the Uganda human rights commission for further management,” said Ainomugisha.
“We [UHRC] also experience some of the challenges that some of you experience on a daily basis. The only difference is that as a government institution, we are mandated to promote human rights and therefore we do the work with due diligence,” she reported.
However, Ainomugisha challenged the NGOs to always bring all government entities on board to get protection when executing their work.
Ainomugisha appealed to the human rights defenders to always do their work with passion and devotion. “Human rights defenders’ work is not easy per say. One must be patient, empathetic and be a good listener to be able to come out with a solution,” she added.
Some of the NGOs that subscribed to GDF include; All in One Women’s Association [ALOWA], Citizens Coalition for Independent Media, Rural Women Defenders Network [RUWODNET], Voice of Mitooma, FROWI, Grassroots Defenders Network among others.
https://thecooperator.news/human-rights-groups-want-uganda-to-ratify-key-protocol-against-torture/
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