Local civil society organisations in the Karamoja sub-region are undergoing systematic due diligence assessments aimed at routing international donor funding directly to indigenous groups, according to a recent analysis published by the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition.
PACER Programme Provides Direct Funding to Indigenous Groups
The initiative is being executed through the Partnerships on Accountability, Civic Engagement, and Rights (PACER) programme. Under this framework, the RIAMIRIAM Civil Society Network–Karamoja has been evaluating selected local non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations across the sub-region. Financial support from the embassies of Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Ireland will bypass traditional intermediary structures to reach these indigenous groups directly.
Dr. Ayub Mukisa of the Department for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis at the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition noted that the development marks a departure from conventional consortium arrangements. Historically, larger organisations designated as “lead agencies” have relegated local entities to the status of temporary implementing machines or invoice collectors.
Writing in 1993, Wabwire identified the restricted participation of local communities in development planning as a persistent obstacle in operations involving international agencies. Over three decades later, analysts argue that conventional aid delivery models continue to weaken local ownership and institutional sustainability by treating indigenous organisations as beneficiaries rather than core partners.
Embassies Trust Local Organisations to Lead Funding Proposals
The Royal Danish Embassy has drawn specific praise from coalition analysts for placing trust in indigenous networks like RIAMIRIAM. This arrangement allows local organisations to draft, submit, and defend their own funding proposals rather than executing predetermined external priorities.
Ederu Magdalena, Senior Partnership and Capacity Building Officer at RIAMIRIAM, stated during an interview that regional stakeholders have welcomed the shift. Local government leaders have expressed positive views regarding the embassies’ decision to center indigenous organisations in the aid architecture.
The coalition maintains that Karamoja’s development obstacles stem primarily from the historical design and management of foreign aid rather than an absolute shortage of financial resources. The emerging partnership model seeks to correct this imbalance by fostering greater community accountability, institutional capacity, and long-term sustainability.
