Mbale wary of proliferation of community-based organisationss

A surge in number of community-based organisations (CBOs) has ignited concerns among stakeholders, prompting discussions on regulatory challenges and oversight mechanisms.

The National NGOs Bureau has raised alarms over the unchecked expansion of CBOs, encroaching on the traditional territory of NGOs and stretching beyond designated roles and geographical boundaries.

Stephen Okello, executive director of the NGOs Bureau, underscored the breakdown in monitoring systems at the district and sub-county level, attributing it to the allure of financial benefits for local governments.

He said it was important to distinguish between nationally regulated NGOs and locally confined CBOs, stressing the need for heightened scrutiny of CBO operations to ensure transparency and accountability.

Okello highlighted the preference of funders to channel funds through CBOs instead of NGOs, exacerbating the regulatory vacuum and necessitating collaborative efforts among stakeholders.

He urged for a focus on funding sources, interests, and grassroots activities to prevent any elements of illusiveness in CBO operations.

The regulatory framework, outlined in the NGO Act of 2016, establishes District and Sub-county Non-Governmental Organizations Monitoring Committees (DNMC and SNMC).

However, the absence of functional monitoring structures has led to the proliferation of CBOs, some operating across sub-county and even district boundaries.