16-Year-Old Student Petitions Parliament to Fund Community Organisations
KAMPALA — A 16-year-old student and young media entrepreneur, Martin Luther Nyanzi, has formally petitioned the Parliament of Uganda seeking legislation that would allow the government to provide financial support to community-based organisations (CBOs) and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Nyanzi, a student at Kisozi High School in Buddo, believes grassroots organisations play a vital role in delivering services that complement government programmes, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, youth empowerment and community development. Through his petition, the teenager is calling for the establishment of a legal framework that would enable Parliament to allocate funds directly to registered community organisations in order to strengthen their operations and ensure sustainability. Concerns Over Shrinking Funding In his proposal, Nyanzi highlights the growing challenges faced by NGOs and CBOs following the withdrawal or suspension of funding from major internation...