Abbreviation UNNGOF Location Kampala, Uganda Membership 585 members Legal status Nonprofit organization | Formation 1997 Region served Uganda Founded 1997 | |
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Purpose To provide a sharing and reflection platform for NGOs so that they can influence governance and development processes in Uganda. Motto Providing a sharing and reflection platform for NGOs in Uganda Similar Human Rights Network, Uganda Women's Network, CSBAG, ACCU Uganda, National NGO | ||
The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) is a Ugandan nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a sharing and reflection platform for Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) so that they can influence governance and development processes in Uganda. It is an independent and inclusive national platform whose primary constituency and owners are NGOs in their diversity and configurations. UNNGOF is, however, open to other interest groups within a broadly defined civil society in the East African country.
Contents
History
Uganda National NGO Forum was launched in 1997 following two years of concerted work to develop the operational structure, a Constitution and membership recruitment program. Many NGOs had realized the need to engage Government and the donor community on policy issues and poverty concerns. Government on the other hand, found it important to involve Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in policies and programmes.
Under the auspices of Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Associations (DENIVA), a meeting was convened to chart a way forward on forming a new forum. This process was steered by a committee formed in 1995 between national and international organisations, including Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET), Oxfam and World Vision. The idea to form UNNGOF was to establish an organisation that would wholly represent CSOs while bringing together National NGOs, International NGOs, CBOs, Voluntary Development Organisations (VDOs), Farmers’ Groups, Cooperative Associations and other Citizens’ Organisations and interest groups from all thematic areas.
By 2001, UNNGOF had established policies and procedures for accountability, established formal registration for members, operationalized a code of conduct, amended the Constitution by re-mobilising members, developed a three-year rights-based Strategic Plan, and set up district forums for support at district level and to the Secretariat. Over the years, UNNGOF has received financial support from development partners like DFID, DANIDA, UNDP, DGF, and Ford Foundation inter alia, to undertake her mandate.
Vision, mission and objectives
UNNGOF's vision is: A coherent, respected, well-informed NGO sector in Uganda; actively contributing to citizens’ wellbeing and safeguarding their rights.
UNNGOF's mission is: To provide a sharing and reflection platform for NGOs so that they can influence governance and development processes in Uganda.
UNNGOF's objectives are:
Interventions
UNNGOF has four major programme areas, namely:
Membership
UNNGOF is a membership organisation for NGOs in their diversity; both local and international, working in Uganda. While the primary constituency of UNNGOF is NGOs, other institutions and platforms; that are not generally referred to as NGOs but whose interests are in line with the vision and mission of UNNGOF are welcome to join the family of over 500 active members. As of October 2015, UNNGOF had 585 members.
Besides its members, there are many other service subscribers to the work of UNNGOF including government, researchers, students, private sector, development partners, etc. While these are not members, they are constituencies that UNNGOF provides required services to; primarily aiming to profile the work of members and the NGO sector.
Platforms
UNNGOF works through a number of platforms with its partners to harness the power of collective voice. These platforms include;
Campaigns
As part of its work, UNNGOF seeks to mobilise citizens to engage with development processes as part of their civic role in society. Outreach is done through a number of campaigns including;