THE NATIONAL NGO FORUM:

The Uganda National NGO Forum is an independent, collective voice for civil society. It was established in 1997 to bring together NGOs working in areas of Advocacy and Lobbying to effectively engage on public policies, so that they reflect the views and concerns of the poor. It is a membership Organisation that includes Community-Based Citizens’ Organisations, District Forums, National, Regional and International NGOs, and Networks.

Vision

A society with people-centred policies and programmes that guarantee and protect the rights of all and empower the marginalised to increase their choices, in order for them to realise their full potential

Mission

To be a leading apex body and collective voice for civil society organisations operating in Uganda, to effectively influence the policies, programmes and practices of government, bilateral and multilateral bodies, other development partners and the private sector for equitable development through dialogue, partnership development, research, lobbying, advocacy, networking, information exchange, monitoring and evaluation.

Objectives

The overall objective of the NGO Forum is: “To support Civil Society Organisations to contribute to the development and implementation of public policies and plans so that they progressively reflect the views and concerns of the poor, meet their needs and fulfill their human rights. It does this through advocacy, networking, partnership development and information exchange. The Specific objectives of the NGO Forum are:

• To act as a Forum drawing together non-governmental organisations (NGOs) registered and operating in Uganda and other groups working in Uganda, to discuss and adopt common strategies and to act collectively on matters of mutual concern to member NGOs.
• To maintain dialogue with the government and other national and international NGOs and bodies on behalf of all member NGOs operating in Uganda.
• To undertake advocacy and lobbying of government and other bilateral and multilateral bodies on issues of common concern to member NGOs
• To promote dialogue, networking, and information exchange among the member NGOs on matters of mutual concern to members
• To establish and maintain a database of member NGOs in order to promote better information exchange among member NGOs and other interested parties
• To establish and maintain links with umbrella NGOs, operating at national or at district level in Uganda and also with district NGO for a, in order to realise any of the objectives stated above
• To lobby government for legal and/or policy reforms that are geared towards creating a better environment for NGOs to operate effectively and efficiently in Uganda.
• To develop strategies for representation of NGOs on government bodies and bilateral and multilateral organisations to ensure full participation of member NGOs on issues of mutual concern to them.
• To develop a National Plan of Action and programmes to carry out the objectives stated above, in accordance with this constitution.
• To identify critical economic, social and other areas of concern to civil society organisations in Uganda and to undertake research with a view to identifying appropriate development approaches and strategies to address them.
• To undertake activities to build the capacity of National NGO Forum and of its members to enable them to effectively pursue the objectives of the National NGO Forum.
• To undertake monitoring and evaluation of policies, programmes and practices of government, bilateral and multilateral bodies, other development partners, the private sector and civil society in Uganda, in order to assess their impact on the Forum’s target population.
• To undertake nay other activities that are necessary for the effective realization of the vision, mission and objectives of the National NGO Forum stated above.

Expected outcomes

• A strong and credible civil society collective voice and input in public policy
• Organised and strong civil society institutions engaged and visible at all levels of policy-making for the benefit of the poor
• An informed civil society, conversant with policy processes and legislative development
• A vibrant democratic and learning Forum
• Pro-poor polices

Strategic principles

• To be responsive and demand driven, serving the needs of the poor through its members
• Focused on cross-cutting issues such as poverty, gender, HIV/AIDS
• Concentrating on comparative advantage
• Creating synergy

Core Values

The Forum espouses the values of:

• Transparency
• Lateral and vertical accountability
• Professional and ethical integrity
• Equity and gender parity
• Mutual respect
• Collective action and responsibility
• Participation
• Voluntarism and service above self
• Fair dealing

Membership

Membership is open to all registered civil society organisations without discrimination according to race, gender, region, religion. A subscription fee is charged for membership, which defers according to type of organisation.

Types of membership

International organisations: These are NGOS with head offices outside Uganda but operating within Uganda and those locally registered but having international affiliation while operating in Uganda, such as the Red Cross.

National NGOs: These are neither international nor umbrella organisations and operating in more than one Ugandan district.

District based NGOs: These operate in areas not exceeding one district. They include CBOs.

Networks and umbrellas: These are NGOs having other registered NGOs as members; composed as registered associations.

Expectations from members

In order to benefit from all these benefits, members:

• Must pay their membership and annual subscription fees promptly
• must fully subscribe to the vision, mission and objectives of the Forum, share its core values and subscribe to and live by the provisions of the NGO Code of Conduct

Thematic Areas

Human rights
Environment and natural resources
Education/Training/Research
Agriculture
Appropriate Technology
Credit, Savings and income generating activities
Integrated development
Health
Women
Children
Youth
Disabled
The elderly
Faith based organisations

Benefits to Members

1. Joining the winning team: Becoming part of a collective, co-ordinated and coherent civil society voice, which is greater than the sum of its members. This facilitates pro-active contribution to pro-poor policies and legislative change
2. Use of brand and corporate identity: The Forum gives an opportunity for affiliated district fora to use their certificates and good name of the NGO Forum (with its consent) to further their objectives.
3. Sharing experiences: It gives an opportunity for indigenous and International Organisations to meet and share experiences and jointly undertake critical analyses of strategic issues that affect the poor.
4. Enhanced integrity: The Forum has put in place a Code of Conduct in order to enhance integrity and discipline of members. This Code of Conduct provides for the self- discipline, regulation and a mechanism of restraint for NGOs and CBOs operating in Uganda under the Uganda National NGO Forum as guided by the core values and principles of identity.
5. Access to original research: The Forum conducts research on critical social issues then can be accessed and shared by the district fora and other partners. This improves on effective advocacy work e.g. the forum has conducted research on user fees in Government health centers and their implication on the people. There is also research going on about the awarding of tenders at the district level.
6. Capacity building: It provides opportunities for capacity building especially on topical issues. For instance, it could be used as an avenue to educate members on Uganda Government programmes like Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA) and other poverty related programmes.
7. Joint advocacy: It also provides a strong ally in holding Government and global governance institutions accountable for pro-poor policies and out comes.
8. Reference point: The Forum provides a contact point for Government, donors and other partners. This facilitates easy access to individual NGOs at the district.
9. Alternative point of view: The Forum provides a source of alternative and authentic sound analyses, policy options and poverty indicators on emerging development concerns. This information could be used by the districts for advocacy and policy influence.
10. Improved visibility: It provides an opportunity to contribute to a more effective and visible civil society engaged in policy advocacy.
11. Cross-cutting issues: The Forum provides a base for various thematic groups e.g. gender, youth, children etc.to effectively engage in issues that affect them and suggest appropriate solutions for intervention.
12. Efficient information exchange: The Forum also coordinates and processes feedbacks from various district fora. It provides linkages between the CSOs at the district with Government and other development partners. This facilitates information exchange and resources for effective development.
13. Improved performance and accountability: The Forum can be a source of constructive criticism and challenge. This leads to improved performance and accountability.
14. Synergy: Through the Forum, areas of comparative advantage can be identified from various district forums and interventions are done.
15. Effective networking: The national forum facilitates networking and dialogue among NGOs/CBOs to build consensus on issues critical to policies impacting on poverty eradication and other development concerns.
16. Fundraising: The Forum also designs and implements fundraising and financial sustainability strategies in such a way as to avoid dependency.
17. It is supposed to give value to members in return for their subscriptions and other financial and non-financial contributions.

Benefits to Partners

A source of alternative sound policies on emerging development issues
A source of constructive criticism and challenge
A central point of contact
A mechanism for independent poverty monitoring and feedback

Code of Conduct

The Forum has a Code of Conduct to which its members are required to subscribe. This is supposed to encourage self regulation and promote integrity. A Code of Conduct Committee, which is elected by the National Council monitors compliance. It is intended to enhance integrity of NGOs that choose to live by it. All members of the Forum must subscribe to the Code. The most important elements of the Code of Conduct include:

1. Commitments by members to adhere to generally acceptable accounting principles
2. Prohibiting staff of member NGOs from serving self-interest or aggrandizement at the expense of those for whom funds are raised;
3. Non-involvement by members in activities that compromise national security;
4. Holding property in trust;
5. Encouraging transparency and participatory governance by member NGOs

Resources

Human: The forum maintains a small team of professional and support staff that works with its members, volunteers, and executive to realise its objectives

Financial: It receives funds from membership fees, subscription and donations

How can I Support?

• Become an active member and supporter and contribute ideas and articles for NGO Forum publications. Membership is for organisations and can be full, associate or affiliate membership.
• Promote the objective and values of the Forum and contribute funds, time and other forms of support
• You can become a volunteer or an affiliate.

Contacts:

Executive Director
Uganda National NGO Forum
Plot 25 Kabalagala
P O Box 4636, Kampala, Uganda

Tel: +256 31 260373 or +256 41 510272 or +256 41 501674
Fax: +256 31 260372
Email: ngoforum@infocom.co.ug