Omughisa Rwenzori is Evolving: Here’s Why
Over the past few months, our organisation has been navigating challenges none of us expected when we first began supporting community-led projects in Uganda. These challenges have pushed us to grow, adapt, and rethink how we work. We want to share that evolution with you openly, with respect for the role you’ve played in this journey.
What Prompted the Change
In May, Uganda passed the Protection of Sovereignty Act. The law creates serious legal risks for anyone who appears to direct or manage foreign-funded activities, labelling those people as “agents of a foreign entity.” Almost overnight, our three Ugandan directors faced potential fines, and even prison time, for continuing their leadership roles with us! We had to act quickly and carefully.
How We Responded
Our Ugandan directors have formed their own independent organisation. This new entity, the Rwenzori Foothills Community Development Society, legally registered in Uganda, allows them to receive grants, run their own programs, and stay fully in control of the work.
Omughisa Rwenzori has shifted to a grant-making model. Instead of running programs ourselves, we now provide grants to a trusted local organisation (Rwenzori Foothills) who designs and delivers the work directly in their communities.
Our Ugandan Directors have stepped down from our board. As of the end of June, they resigned to protect themselves under the new law and to ensure our collaboration remains safe. All project delivery will now flow through their new organisation.
This shift is a legal necessity, but our day-to-day working relationship will not change in any significant way. Except probably more paperwork being exchanged between us!
Why This Makes Us Stronger
It formalises what has always been true: community first. Our Ugandan directors have always led the work. They know the land, the culture, and the priorities of their communities. Grant-making simply acknowledges this reality and places decision-making exactly where it belongs: with local leaders. Meanwhile, we focus on fundraising, accountability, and long-term support.
It improves our governance and compliance in Canada. Canada Revenue Agency now encourages international charities to use grant-making structures. This model gives us cleaner processes, stronger documentation, and clearer reporting.
It creates long-term stability for our Ugandan partners. As an independent organisation, Rwenzori Foothills can seek funding from multiple sources, not just us. That independence is healthy, sustainable, and empowering.
What This Means for You as a Donor
Your support continues to do exactly what you intend. It strengthens locally led projects that improve water access, education, food security, and community resilience in the Rwenzori region.
The impact remains the same. The stories of leadership and community strength remain the same. Our commitment to ethical, respectful partnership remains the same.
The structure behind the scenes is safer, clearer, and built for the long term. And, most importantly, our projects will continue without interruption.
The August newsletter will bring you completely up-to-date on all of our current programs, and perhaps float some new ideas that we are tossing around. In the meantime, the Board felt that this change was significant enough that it should stand alone, and we thought you should know.
Thank you for sticking with us as we grow into a stronger, more sustainable organisation. Your trust allows us to evolve in ways that honour both our mission and the communities we serve.