Bakertilly

Non Governmental Organisations

NGOs in Uganda

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) play a central role in Uganda’s development landscape, complementing government initiatives by addressing social, economic, and humanitarian needs. Uganda is home to thousands of NGOs, both local and international, operating across key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, environment, human rights, gender empowerment, and governance. Their contributions have been instrumental in bridging service delivery gaps and fostering community-driven development.

Health and education are among the most supported sectors by NGOs in Uganda. Organizations have been critical in HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, and treatment programs, as well as maternal and child health interventions. In education, NGOs provide scholarships, build schools, and support teacher training, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Humanitarian NGOs also play a significant role, especially as Uganda hosts one of Africa’s largest refugee populations. They provide food, shelter, healthcare, and livelihood support to displaced communities, while also promoting social integration with host populations.

Agriculture and environmental sustainability are other priority areas, given Uganda’s reliance on natural resources. NGOs support smallholder farmers with modern farming techniques, climate-smart practices, and market access, while also driving initiatives in conservation and climate change adaptation. At the same time, rights-based NGOs advocate for good governance, transparency, women’s rights, and youth empowerment, amplifying the voices of marginalized groups and promoting accountability.

The sector is regulated by the NGO Bureau under the NGO Act of 2016, which oversees registration, compliance, and reporting standards. While this provides structure, NGOs often face challenges such as limited funding, overdependence on external donors, and regulatory hurdles that may affect operations. Despite these constraints, NGOs remain highly impactful in shaping social policy, delivering essential services, and fostering resilience at community levels.

Overall, NGOs in Uganda serve as crucial partners in the nation’s pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development. By filling service gaps, driving innovation, and empowering vulnerable groups, they continue to make a lasting difference in improving livelihoods and building stronger, more resilient communities.

Empowering trust in Uganda’s NGOs

Our experts have extensive experience addressing and managing the financial needs of Uganda’s diverse not‑for‑profit sector.

Knowing that a non‑profit organization’s members, donors and stakeholders deserve assurance regarding the integrity of financial information, we provide exceptional clarity in reporting and transparency in disclosure.

Reliable support

The pressure and responsibility of financial reporting and corporate governance for both small and national not‑for‑profit organizations has reached unprecedented levels, with complex accounting standards and rising public demands for transparency.

Our experts assist on everything from the smooth processing of charitable receipts to addressing donor concerns and assisting with future fundraising activities. We never lose sight of the fact you are operating with donor dollars and understand the need for full accountability that accompanies this responsibility.

Enable accountability and manage risk

Our experienced professionals help not‑for‑profit organizations educate and empower boards and audit committees. Our audit, tax and advisory services are specifically designed to help manage risk and provide meaningful financial insight that ensures accountability to all constituents, including the management, directors, board members and donors.

Our services include:

  • Assurance and accounting
  • Corporate governance
  • Standards and controls
  • Restructuring

Extensive experience

We have proven experience with a broad range of not‑for‑profit organizations including charities and charitable foundations, volunteer organizations, professional bodies, memberships and associations, health and welfare organizations, social services groups, educational and cultural institutions, social and recreational clubs, artistic, community and cultural organizations and more.

Speak to one of our experts