Reflections on the NGO Industry in Gulu, Uganda
So its been awhile since we gave an update - but its just taken longer then we expected to get socialized and become productive… so not as positive an experience so far as we’d hoped but we’ve still learned a lot.
Just thought I’d start with a few of my own thoughts.
Gulu is the regional capital of northern uganda. First, this means it is a very large town of 150,000 with many hotels, shops and restaurants. There are no high rises or very fancy areas, but it is always bustling, day or night. What surprised us more than the size of the town was the number of NGOs it is home to. The NGO industry currently employs most of the younger population of Gulu as well as police and private security personnel. Having walked around town a lot, we would estimate about 100 NGOs in Gulu, but residents have told us there are over 300, and many more existed during the war. It is absolutely incredible.
Some could see this as a very positive thing. People around the world clearly care about the plight of those who suffered so much during the 20 year war in Northern Uganda. The UN also has a very significant presence, largely coordinating development and reconciliation projects, as well as providing the funds for their implementation. Finally, the NGO industry allows people around the world to learn about what Ugandans, especially the Acholi people, suffered at the hands of the LRA.
However, in the time we’ve spent in Gulu, I have unfortunately also seen the excess, corruption, and dependency produced by the many NGOs. I say many because of course, it is very dangerous to generalize about claims like these. There are always amazing organizations doing very important work with little money and a lot of commitment. So I would never tell anyone not to support the work being done in Northern Uganda - I would just like to warn that one should be careful who they support.
One thing that hurts me the most is when organizations are clearly spending a lot of money on non-project related costs. In Gulu, all of the international organizations have large plots of land with relatively nice buildings. They all have constant electricity powered by generators and large vehicles that only an NGO funded by external donors could afford. They also all have 24/7 security and some are even given Ugandan police officers. NGO workers have explained that this is a result of Al-Shabaab’s attacks in Kampala last summer. Even community based organizations seem inneficient and many locals have explained that many people just start up organizations to create jobs for themselves. Of course, this even happens in Canada.
One of the biggest problems is that there are just too many organizations with too little coordination. But more significant is the fact that most NGOs are based in towns while most of the poverty and issues exist in the villages. Although many people in Gulu were affected by the war, there was much larger security presence in Gulu, while spread out villages were largely left to fend for themselves against the rebels.
The presence of so many NGOs has also led to a culture of dependence amongst many Acholi. With so many handouts throughout the war, many communities have come to expect help, or ask for more whenever some is given. An increased number of foreigners has also led to corruption, which we’ve unfortunately experienced a lot of.
Either way - there are many projects going on across the region. We are working with the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative and they seem to be working on very respectable peacebuilding and reconciliation projects. We went to the field with them today and saw the project they run on land conflict mediation. Tons of work happening in many different fields!
Anyways - these are just some thoughts I had. Sal and I will write up what we did when we get back from a meeting with the Uganda Human Rights Commission. People in Uganda are very willing to talk to foreigners and we have both learned a lot.
Missing Canada - especially Iranian food …
:) More updates soon!
Just thought I’d start with a few of my own thoughts.
Gulu is the regional capital of northern uganda. First, this means it is a very large town of 150,000 with many hotels, shops and restaurants. There are no high rises or very fancy areas, but it is always bustling, day or night. What surprised us more than the size of the town was the number of NGOs it is home to. The NGO industry currently employs most of the younger population of Gulu as well as police and private security personnel. Having walked around town a lot, we would estimate about 100 NGOs in Gulu, but residents have told us there are over 300, and many more existed during the war. It is absolutely incredible.
Some could see this as a very positive thing. People around the world clearly care about the plight of those who suffered so much during the 20 year war in Northern Uganda. The UN also has a very significant presence, largely coordinating development and reconciliation projects, as well as providing the funds for their implementation. Finally, the NGO industry allows people around the world to learn about what Ugandans, especially the Acholi people, suffered at the hands of the LRA.
However, in the time we’ve spent in Gulu, I have unfortunately also seen the excess, corruption, and dependency produced by the many NGOs. I say many because of course, it is very dangerous to generalize about claims like these. There are always amazing organizations doing very important work with little money and a lot of commitment. So I would never tell anyone not to support the work being done in Northern Uganda - I would just like to warn that one should be careful who they support.
One thing that hurts me the most is when organizations are clearly spending a lot of money on non-project related costs. In Gulu, all of the international organizations have large plots of land with relatively nice buildings. They all have constant electricity powered by generators and large vehicles that only an NGO funded by external donors could afford. They also all have 24/7 security and some are even given Ugandan police officers. NGO workers have explained that this is a result of Al-Shabaab’s attacks in Kampala last summer. Even community based organizations seem inneficient and many locals have explained that many people just start up organizations to create jobs for themselves. Of course, this even happens in Canada.
One of the biggest problems is that there are just too many organizations with too little coordination. But more significant is the fact that most NGOs are based in towns while most of the poverty and issues exist in the villages. Although many people in Gulu were affected by the war, there was much larger security presence in Gulu, while spread out villages were largely left to fend for themselves against the rebels.
The presence of so many NGOs has also led to a culture of dependence amongst many Acholi. With so many handouts throughout the war, many communities have come to expect help, or ask for more whenever some is given. An increased number of foreigners has also led to corruption, which we’ve unfortunately experienced a lot of.
Either way - there are many projects going on across the region. We are working with the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative and they seem to be working on very respectable peacebuilding and reconciliation projects. We went to the field with them today and saw the project they run on land conflict mediation. Tons of work happening in many different fields!
Anyways - these are just some thoughts I had. Sal and I will write up what we did when we get back from a meeting with the Uganda Human Rights Commission. People in Uganda are very willing to talk to foreigners and we have both learned a lot.
Missing Canada - especially Iranian food …
:) More updates soon!
I'll make you all the Iranian Food you wish for on your return.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your personal views on NGO's. They are still needed for publicity and in times of crisis.
Missing you always.