The local civil society organisations (CSOs) in Uganda now stand a chance to perform their advocacy role better as the European Union and Germany will tomorrow avail Shs118b (Euro26.9m) grant for strengthen their capacities.
The money will come through the project-Civil Society in Uganda Support Programme (CUSP) to be launched tomorrow at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
“The EU believes in the strong role Civil Society Organisations play for any country’s development. The EU firmly believes in the benefits of a fruitful and constructive collaboration between state agencies and civil society organisations,” the EU Media Advisory says.
High profile delegates expected at the launch of the project are; European Union Head of Delegation to Uganda, H.E Ambassador Attilio PACIFICI, The Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy, Ms. Petra Kochendörfer, The Chairperson of the National Planning Authority, Dr. Wilberforce Kisamba Mugerwa, The Country Director of GIZ Uganda, Mr. Christian Schnurre and Representatives of Civil Society Organisations.
The launch of the project comes at the time when government of Uganda is planning tough measures aimed at checking the financial sources of the CSOs. Most CSOs receive their financial support through wire services and government fears this could be form part of illicit financial flows.
The recently launched Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) is mandated to scrutinize the financial stand of the CSOs which say government wants to use FIA to curtail their advocacy role especially that that touched on democracy and human rights.
The law demands that commercial banks alert the government or other investigative authorities of any suspicious transactions and large cash movements by NGOs, individuals or any other entity.
