The culture of giving back to communities has for years been active in Uganda but the lack of documented records by individual local givers in this East African state creates a narrative that Ugandans “lack the love for humanity”. the Uganda National NGO Forum – UNNGOF revealed.
The UNNGOF is an umbrella organization for civil society organisations in Uganda, a state in the East African bloc.
Jacqueline Asiimwe, the Chairperson, East African Philanthropy Network (EAPN) revealed on September 26 to journalists and community facilitators during a two day competency building workshop on Philanthropy held at Royal suites in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb.
Asiimwe who is also the Executive Officer of CivSource Africa got concerned about the narrative that Ugandans are not givers and attributed it on the absence of a policy framework to direct acts of generosity in Uganda. She also revealed that foreign media corrupts people with a biased narrative since “what we know about people and place is shaped by the media”.
The lack of records on generous giving in Uganda is what prompted local non governmental organisations in the country to promote acts of generosity among Ugandans in a program which they named Philanthropy for Development.
The Philanthropy for Development Program Coordinator at the Uganda National NGO Forum, Robert Ninyesiga said that the Forum is promoting local giving by encouraging the documentation of acts of generosity adding that they are engaging the local media to help in this documentation.
The most documented acts of giving in Uganda was experienced during the COVID-19 lockdown when Ugandans generously contributed money, food and logistics needed to combat the pandemic in the country.