Committed to the common goal

What is the turning point of creating a strong and meaningful working relation? Interview with MS Uganda’s programme officer, Japhes Mukiibi-Biimbwa

By Kimbowa B. James, UPA

What are the procedures that partners have to follow in making the partnership even better?

First of all there is a difference between having a common goal and sharing a common goal. We all need to clearly understand what it means to share a common goal. When parties involved in a partnership share the common vision then they will be committed and despite any challenges that may arise, both parties will be willing and ready to live up to the demands and requirements of the partnership.

Then the other crucial element is that partners need to understand or internalise the real meaning of the term partnership.

MS has programme officers to follow up on partner organisations. Who is supposed to follow up MS on the partners’ side?

Responsibilities vary in the different organisations. Primarily, the full time managers or implementers are the key link of the organisation, while the secondary link is the board members.

Do the partners have opportunity to demand anything from MS? Do you have any example of those making any demands?

They make demands but not as often as they should. The natural tendency in many partnerships is that the one who provides more financial support seems to have a bigger say.

And the culture of not being able to raise questions to persons who support you, fearing that they may reduce the support, are factors that hamper some organisations to raise any questions or demands.

MS focuses at reaching the grassroots but is it possible to hear their voices through the structures of the NGOs and CBOs?

It is a yes and no. MS is mainly co-operating with member-based organisations and it is our hope to listen to these voices during the partners’ annual meetings, review workshops and visits made by the MS programme officers. Of course in some instances people are afraid to raise issues fearing that MS support may reduce. But with time issues come up and normally they are solved. The challenge is to understand and live by the requirement of the partnership. Then both parties will be in position to have a strong and more meaningful working relation at all times.