KAMPALA — A 16-year-old Ugandan student is stepping into the national policy arena with a bold proposal: government funding for community organisations that serve grassroots communities.
Martin Luther Nyanzi, a student at Kisozi High School, has petitioned Parliament to enact a law that would allow the government to financially support registered community-based organisations and local NGOs.
Nyanzi argues that many grassroots groups play a critical role in improving livelihoods but often struggle to survive due to unreliable funding.
“These organisations work directly with communities and reach places where government services are limited,” he said.
His proposal comes at a time when several NGOs are grappling with financial uncertainty following shifts in donor support.
The suspension of programmes previously funded by the Democratic Governance Facility and reductions in funding from the United States Agency for International Development have left many organisations scaling down operations.
According to Nyanzi, these funding gaps are affecting communities that depend on NGOs for services ranging from governance programmes to social development initiatives.
The proposal has already caught the attention of lawmakers. Nyanzi recently met Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to discuss the idea, while legislator Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola has indicated willingness to introduce the proposal in Parliament as a Private Member’s Bill.
However, some legislators say such a law would require careful debate to ensure any public funding mechanism for NGOs is transparent, accountable and sustainable.
Beyond his policy interests, Nyanzi is also carving a path in the media space. He founded Block FM, a digital platform focused on amplifying youth voices, and currently leads APEX Media Services, which offers digital media services and youth training programmes.
Through The Block Foundation, he also runs initiatives aimed at equipping young people with digital literacy skills and opportunities in the media industry.
Observers say Nyanzi’s petition reflects a growing trend of young Ugandans taking a more active role in shaping conversations around development and public policy.