NGO Forum
- Issues of Concern

The NGO Forum Generic Code of Conduct:

Preamble

In view of the important role NGOs now play in Uganda’s development process, it is of paramount importance that they regulate their internal behaviour. This calls for the NGO fraternity to develop a concrete mechanism to protect their credibility and integrity and offer them a framework for ethical behaviour. The NGO Generic Code of Conduct provides for the self-discipline, regulation and mechanism of restraint for NGOs and CBOs operating in Uganda under the Uganda National NGO Forum as guided by the core values, principles of identity and matters connected thereat as enshrined in this code.

The Code of Conduct herein referred to as the Code shall upon coming into force and be implemented by a National Code of Conduct Committee elected by the NGO Forum National Council and accordingly assigned such tasks as shall be drawn and approved by the General Assembly.

The General Assembly shall, upon recommendation from the National Council, decide the final course of action on such an NGO that contravenes the provisions of this Code and require such an NGO to comply.

The Values, Culture and Identity of NGOs subscribing to this Code.

NGOs shall be held accountable always for the values of:

  • Voluntarism and service above self. This philanthropic spirit shall motivate a member to assist in cases of emergency occasioned by natural and or man-made causes. Such support shall not be in the interest of self and of individual aggrandisement of NGO staff or volunteers.
  • Listening and seeking to understand the views of all stakeholders along the principles of participatory development.
  • Collective action and responsibility.
  • Accountability and transparency.
  • Mutual respect and Non-interference, but fair and equitable engagement for the settlement of conflict in matters regarded internal to a particular NGO.
  • Equity and gender parity.
  • Respect for Human Rights.

Establishment and Functions of the code of Conduct and the Code Committee

  • In accordance with Article IV section 12 of the constitution of the Uganda National NGO Forum, there shall be established Code of Conduct for NGOs registered with the Forum for the purpose of the intra and internal self-discipline and self-regulation and arbitration in a situation of internal conflict under the general guidance of a "Code Committee" elected by National Council of The Uganda National NGO Forum.
  • The Code Committee shall comprise of:
  • Member from each of the thematic categories.
  • Representatives from the international NGOs.
  • Representative from the Umbrella organisations and Networks.
  • A legal person appointed by the National Executive Committee for this purpose.
  • The Code Committee shall be in place unless otherwise removed for a period to conform to the term of the sitting of a National Council.

The Code Committee shall comprise of:

- 3 Members elected directly by the National Council.
- 2 representatives elected from the National Executive Committee.
- The legal representative appointed by the National Executive Committee.
- The Executive Director of the Uganda National NGO Forum as an Ex-officio.

The Code Committee shall be in place unless otherwise removed for a period to conform to the term of the National Council.

The functions of the Code Committee shall be:

  • To examine concerns presented to it, under this code.
  • Examine whether or not an NGO on whom concern has been raised has contravened the provisions of this Code or those of the Constitution of the National NGO Forum.
  • Inquire or cause an inquiry to be conducted on its own initiative or on such complaint received for an alleged contravention of the provisions of this Code.
  • Recommend to the National Executive Committee and Council such action as it may consider appropriate in the enforcement of this code.
  • Arbitrate in the case of some industrial dispute as a mechanism for just action.
  • Carry out any other functions as prescribed under this Code.

The relevant organ upon receipt of the recommendations of the Committee shall, accordingly, advise on the appropriate course of action.

Impartiality and fairness

The Code shall guide all NGOs registered with the Uganda National NGO Forum in the performance of their duties. The Code Committee shall execute its functions with justice, honesty, and public responsibility and shall be held accountable for the incorrect application of such rules and regulations. The Code exists for the promotion of the values, culture, and identity of the NGO fraternity which the Code Committee shall execute with impartiality and fairness.

Aims and Objectives of the Code:

  • To guide towards conformity with the values, culture and identity for which NGOs are registered.
  • To act as a guide for NGOs to remain at all times consistent with the provisions of the constitution under which such NGOs are registered.
  • To answer calls of such marginalised members of society, through activities designed to address such marginalisation provided that such activities are backed by the support of the beneficiaries of such action.
  • To maintain good working relationship with the various levels of a constitutionally constituted government and local authorities.
  • To sort out through dialogue and co-operation acts that are likely to result into abuse, duplication of efforts and wastage.
  • To periodically recognise such NGO(s) that have had exemplary performance in order to assist in the encouragement of good practice. This is a basis for the establishment of ethical standards for the NGO fraternity.

Membership into the Code of Conduct:

All NGOs lawfully registered under the relevant Laws of Uganda and duly registered with the NGO Forum shall be bound by the provisions of the Code of Conduct upon filling and endorsing an Acceptance Form at the Uganda National NGO Forum Secretariat for the purpose of entry into the Membership databank respectively.

A member NGO shall become a subscriber to this Code upon signing an Acceptance Form. From then, a member shall be bound by the provisions of this code under the registered relevant laws of Uganda, until removed from membership by the General Assembly or Voluntarily by signing a withdrawal form.

Institution guiding principles/ particular elements of the Code:

The Code Committee operates under the general guidance of the NGO Forum structure but maintains due independence for effective action with minimum undue influence. In order to ensure principled action a few critical areas have been identified in the code for action, as stated below.

" Generally Acceptable Accounting Principle" (GAAP)

All member NGOs shall account for all funds received and shall cause to be audited all financial receipts and expenditures by reputable and fully registered Audit firm every end of financial year. It is expected that such audited accounts shall be presented for review by beneficiary members who are the core stakeholders of the organisation. Failure to prepare and audit accounts for a consistent two year period shall be construed as lack of honesty and misfit in public trust and hence a contravention of the provisions and spirit of this Code.

" The Non-profit principle"

All persons holding NGO office positions shall not seek for such gains or gifts that amount to allowances that are not for the purpose of the ease of delivery of service. However, such support as transport refund, perdiems to enable people carry out assigned tasks shall not be construed as being part of the said gain or gift. Seeking to use the property of the organisation, award of contracts, and such other favours that are received when one is not a full time employee of the organisation shall amount to a profit motive and shall, in as far as this aspect is concerned, be considered contrary to the principle above.

"Non-involvement in activities that threaten National Security"

All activities that show evidence of subversion and threaten Uganda's peace and national security shall be considered contrary to the NGO principle of support to the marginalised since such act shall but exacerbate further marginalisation. NGOs shall be arbitrators for peace and reconciliation

" Property in Trust"

NGOs shall hold properties in trust of their Membership and such property shall not be converted into personal use by staff, Board or Committee members or volunteers.

On dissolution of a particular NGO properties that accrued shall unless otherwise lawfully provided, be ploughed into the use of such beneficiaries as the affected NGO intended to support and as guided by the Constitution of the affected NGO.

" Transparency in Communication"

A member NGO shall endeavour at all times to be transparent and accountable to all relevant stakeholders as prescribed in its constitution. Information sharing and collective responsibility shall be a fundamental element in NGO self-regulation and development.

"Participatory Governance for NGOs"

NGOs exist for the marginalised in the society. This is not to say that the interests of the marginalised shall be taken care of without their concrete involvement in the determination of their development destiny. Thence, it shall be incumbent upon every NGO legally registered and subscribing to this Code to offer evidence of the beneficiaries in the decision making process to ensure sustainability. Such NGO that does not show such evidence shall, in so far as the behaviour is concerned, be seen as to have contravened the principle of participatory governance.

Effect of the Code:

The Code of conduct shall be deemed to have effect on an NGO once formal endorsement is made.

Interpretation:

The final interpretation of the Code shall be a function of the General Assembly of the National NGO Forum. For the purpose of clarity the following definitions shall hold true:

NGO shall mean legally registered Non-Governmental or Community-Based Organisations in Uganda.

Code of Conduct means this NGO Generic Code of conduct.

Member NGOs means all legally registered NGOs that are registered with the Forum which endorse this Code of Conduct.

Coming into force
This code came into force on approval by the General Assembly of the Uganda National NGO Forum held in Kampala on 25th April, 2001.
 
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