Lutamaguzi Opposes Proposed NGO Funding Bill

Kampala, Uganda: Nakaseke South Member of Parliament, Hon. Paulson Lutamaguzi Ssemakula, has voiced strong opposition to the proposed NGO Funding Act, arguing that obligating government to finance non-governmental organisations could place excessive pressure on Uganda’s already limited public resources.

Speaking during discussions on the proposal, Lutamaguzi emphasised that NGOs are typically created and funded by private individuals, communities, and independent partners to complement government programmes particularly in sectors where public services are insufficient.

He referenced humanitarian organisations such as the Uganda Red Cross as examples of institutions established to operate independently while supporting national development efforts.

“NGOs are formed by citizens and partners to fill gaps where government may not fully reach. It raises serious questions if the same government is then required to fund them directly,” Lutamaguzi noted, adding that Uganda still faces major challenges in financing essential services like health, education, and infrastructure.

His position mirrors earlier remarks by Nalukoola, who argued that NGOs are meant to reinforce government initiatives rather than rely on state funding for their operations.

Meanwhile, alternative proposals have emerged from other lawmakers. National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy Secretary General Aisha Kabanda suggested that any government financial support should instead target community-based organisations (CBOs), which operate at grassroots level and often require smaller budgets to implement local development projects.

Kabanda cautioned that many NGOs function as large, complex institutions with significant operational costs, making direct state funding difficult to sustain in the long term.By press time, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, had not issued an official statement regarding the proposed legislation.

The NGO Funding Act has sparked intense debate among legislators and civil society actors, with critics warning of potential strain on public finances, while supporters argue the bill could enhance coordination, oversight, and accountability between government agencies and non-governmental organisations.