Briefcase NGOs risk expulsion from Gulu

Obol said the Acholi sub-region has gone through a lot, and that recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation require collective responsibility because there is a need for all stakeholders to contribute to changing the lives of people in their communities and helping them come out of poverty and trauma.

“People in Acholi have experienced a lot of difficulties during the LRA insurgency for over three decades and, therefore, need physical, economic and psychosocial support so that they can come out of their problems,” he added.

He said development partners must contribute to the development of the people, starting with changing their mindset and helping them find ways to overcome their challenges.

Obol added that this must be a collective effort involving development partners, technocrats and leaders in the district.

However, he noted that development partners should have an enabling environment in which they can work freely and peacefully and implement their projects. He added that Gulu is a fertile ground for projects aimed at benefiting communities.

Obol said organisations remain vibrant when communities can openly testify and speak about what they have gained and the benefits they have received.

He warned that district leaders would not accept briefcase NGOs operating in Gulu without any visible impact.

“We don’t want to have most of your achievements on paper, but your impact should be seen in the community. I believe that we are going to work together to move forward and achieve the intended goals of all the development partners. Above all, I expect openness in how you work,” Obol said.

Obol assured NGOs that they are very important to development and said the district pledged its full support by providing a conducive working environment for them to operate.

“Above all, you should have clear documentation and annual work plans, a clear source of funding, and then the activities you are doing in the district. The leadership needs to know. The last one is proper coordination with the district,” he stressed.

Similarly, Gorretti Okech, the Gulu district community development officer, noted that NGOs need to be reminded of their responsibilities so that they actively participate as members of civil society in ensuring that their efforts and roles are felt in communities.

“As the district, we need to engage very closely with members of civil society so that we monitor their progress in the district and establish whether they are working under functional Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs),” she said.

She suggested that the district should hold monthly meetings with development partners to help monitor their work in communities.

Similarly, Kenneth Rubangakene, the programme associate at Gulu NGO Forum, advised the leadership and technocrats of Gulu district to conduct regular monitoring and coordination in communities to enable the district to assess the impact of the organisations' work.

He suggested that there was a need for advocacy from both sides, the district and civil society organisations, to create a platform for monitoring and coordination.

“So, I think the government should provide NGOs with an enabling working environment so that they can execute their work in helping the community,” Rubangakene said.