Focus on Creating Impact in Communities- Hoima RDC challenges NGOs.
On the 18th November 2016, the Uganda National NGO Forum in partnership with Hoima District CSO Network organized a one day awareness workshop on QuAM at Hotel Kotink in Hoima District. Attended by over 45 CSO leaders, the workshop sought to create awareness on QuAM and create a pool of QuAM Ambassadors in Bunyoro Region. The workshop provided an opportunity for CSO leaders in Hoima to clearly understand the QuAM initiative and the role of self regulation in creating a credible and accountable NGO sector in Uganda.
Ms. Bonnie Kiconco the QuAM Coordinator took participants through the QuAM processes while Sophie Kange the UNNGOF Capacity Building Coordinator presented a paper on Self regulation and how it enhances accountability and legitimacy in the civil society sector.
The NGO Quality Assurance Mechanism is a self regulation mechanism developed and administered by and for the NGOs in Uganda to a generally accepted standards and ethical conduct. Launched in 2006, QuAM sets principles and standards of behavior for responsible practice to protect the credibility and integrity of certified NGOs and their networks in Uganda. The development of the initiative was spearheaded by DENIVA and UNNGOF who are currently the lead promoters of QuAM in Uganda, continuously promoting the QuAM initiative among their members and the entire CSO sector.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Bitamala Isaac the Senior Community Development officer appreciated the QuAM concept, he noted that it was timely especially since the government had reviewed the NGO Act which emphasizes compliance. He challenged CSO leaders to embrace QuAM as a strategy to create a credible and legitimate NGO Sector in Bunyoro region.
As a key outcome of the workshop, CSO leaders committed to integrate the QuAM message in their work as a strategy to create awareness to other CSO actors; Commitment by CSOs and Media to popularize QuAM; Hoima District CSO Network unanimously recommended by participants to host QuAM in Hoima district; and a District QuAM committee was elected.
In his remarks, Mr. Ambrose Mwesigye the Deputy RDC Hoima District challenged CSO actors to go beyond financial accountability but rather focus on results and impact created within the community. “Most CSOs focus on outputs instead of results” . He advised “ if you want to maintain quality standards, then regularly review your Organization’s Vision and Mission and establish if you are still on track”.
Participants were excited about the QuAM concept and were confident that if the highlighted QuAM standards are implemented, then the CSO sector would be credible. UNNGOF as the national platform for NGOs remains committed to popularizing QuAM so as to create a coherent, credible and respected CSO sector in Uganda that contributes to development processes.
Story by Robert Ninyesiga
