THE LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs) AND ITS EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE IN RWANDA

Abstract

The study analysed the Legal Environment of NGOs In Rwanda and its effect on their performance. The study assessed the legal context in which NGOs operate, the effect of the law on the performance of NGOs and how NGOs can be empowered to perform their roles more effectively. Data was collected using in-depth key informant interviews from 20 purposively selected participants comprising of 15 NGO proprietors, 2 lawyers and 3 officers from Rwanda Governance Board. Pragmatic qualitative content analysis was used to analyse data. The findings showed that the current legal environment of NGOs in Rwanda supports them to quickly register, participate in wide scope of operations, access government funding and have a well-structured leadership. However, regulation of NGOs is sometime to tight for small and starting NGOs making it difficult to achieve their operational goals. Sometimes the application of the Law by the enforcement officers deters the growth and stability of NGOs. The collaboration of NGOs with government which is a good thing, is sometimes to structured towards political and development plans, without consideration of the objectives of NGOs. It is recommended that articles on NGO governance be improved to allow more independence and accountability among proprietors. The roles of the RGB should be streamed and geared more to registration and supervision. Another independent body should be given the role of monitoring, to avoid conflict of interest by RGB. This will increase transparency, especially in the need for de-registration. The law should include guidelines on qualifications of NGO staff, especially at board and top management level. This will help to streamline the leadership and management of NGOs.