NGOs struggle to keep afloat amid DGF exit

The last phase of the DGF ran from January 2018 to December 2022. President Museveni had suspended the facility in February 2021 accusing it of operating a multi-billion donor fund without Government representation in its decision-making structures.

The executive director of the NGO forum, Moses Isooba, said many of their members are now surviving on meagre handouts from domestic philanthropists.

He added that this limited funding gives a grim outlook for the year 2023 in terms of the provision of humanitarian services to the most vulnerable.

“There are quite a number of NGOs that were relying on funding from DGF, but now that it has gone, several are only surviving on hand-outs,” he said.

DGF funded activities of more than 80 state and non-state implementing partners.

DGF’s suspension in 2021 sent shockwaves among several civil society players whose activities and survival entirely or largely depended on funding from DGF. Negotiations ensued between the Government and DGF to come to an amicable solution.

In June this year, President Yoweri Museveni announced that he had lifted the ban on DGF until December 2022, but with the Government represented in the facility’s decision-making. The announcement followed a meeting between the President and the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Flemming Miller Mortensen.

While approving funding for Phase two of DGF, the funders noted that the Phase had demonstrated, considerable results in promoting and underpinning democratic governance, including constructive civil society engagement with government institutions, citizens’ understanding of their rights, stronger accountability through demand-side activities, and the provision of legal aid.