FOWODE at the CSO fair

Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) is among the many civil society organisations that participated in the civil society fair at the people’s space in Kampala between 6^th -7^th June 2011.  

FOWODE had an information sharing stall which hosted many visitors and also attended various sessions on women’s contribution to the socio economic and political transformation in Uganda. 


The women reflected on their past achievements and discussed next steps to make the women’s movement vibrant. In this discussion, it was acknowledged that although the women’s movement has greatly contributed to the development processes of this country, it was losing steam yet there is a lot it still had to do. In her recommendations, Hon. Alaso one of the panellists urged the women’s movement to improve its visibility through publicising its achievements, mentoring the younger generation encouraging them to join the women’s movement for continuity purposes, improving activism as a response mechanism to social injustices, strengthening the linkage with the grass root woman as well as improving information sharing with the women at all levels including the women at the grass root levels

Other sessions attended by included one on media and democracy where the media was being faulted for concentrating more on activity based news at the expense of development news, in response, media called for a strengthened partnership with development partners and urged government to fund them because development news is expensive.  And another session on NGO financing emerging trends,  where it was acknowledged that donor funding to NGOs accounts for 90%, yet it is usually comes with conditions, and not sustainable. In this discussion NGOs debated different options of financial sustainability. Many income generating ideas were proposed including NGOs opening up consultancy windows, partnering with corporate and local celebrities to fundraise. They were however cautioned on financial losses and examining legal requirements before they engage in these worthy ventures since many of them are registered as non profit making entities.

The FOWODE stall was visited by more than 100 visitors and many of them had heard about FOWODE on radio, read about FOWODE work in newspapers or participated in some of the trainings. Many expressed interest to partner with FOWODE and some included Ritah Matovu working with Equal Opportunities Commission who inquired if they can partner with FOWODE during the training of the new parliamentarians. Boshra a Staff at the Bahai Temple wanted to know how the Bahai Temple can partner with FOWODE and for all enquiries that aimed at building networks.

The fair organised by the Uganda National Ngo Forum was viewed by many as a useful initiative that provided space to civil society to network, exhibit their work, and dialogue on corruption, women and empowerment, HIV/AIDS, corruption and also share with each other civil society’s contribution to the development and transformation of this society.

Carol Namagembe, Communications Officer FOWODE