MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Association of Microfinance Institutions in Uganda (AMFIU), National Network of People Living with HIV Uganda (PLHIV), Stop Aids Now, Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation (Hivos), Agency for Co-operation in Research and Development (ACORD) to Support MFI Clients Affected by HIV/AIDS in Uganda

The Association of Microfinance Institutions in Uganda (AMFIU), an umbrella organization for Ugandan microfinance institutions (MFIs) and related organizations, recently announced four new partnerships in an effort to support clients affected by HIV and AIDS illnesses in Uganda. AMFIU’s new partners are the Ugandan subsidiary of the Netherlands-based nonprofit Global Network of People Living with HIV (PLHIV); the Netherlands-based nonprofits Stop Aids Now and the Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation (Hivos); and the Agency for Co-operation in Research and Development (ACORD), a UK-based nonprofit development organization [1]. The project, which includes 20 MFIs and 15 groups of people living with HIV in Uganda, plans to increase access to microfinance services for HIV-infected entrepreneurs, improve access to HIV/AIDS information and develop workplace programs within MFIs to prevent the spread of HIV [2]. Stop Aids Now and Hivos already have contributed a total of UGX 680 million (USD 260,000) for the project. ACORD also announced that it will support clients of MFIs, but the nature of this assistance is undefined. PLHIV will expand its poverty reduction programs through the country. As part of the program, Robert Ntalaka, the project coordinator, stated that the initiative will improve the effectiveness of MFIs in Uganda, since “some of [their] clients are infected and affected by HIV/ AIDS yet are within the productive age of doing business. [1]”

As of December 2010, AMFIU has 122 member institutions in Uganda. As of July 2013, ACORD has partnerships with approximately 2000 organizations across 17 countries in Africa. In the year 2011, Stop Aids Now reported an annual income of EUR 9.9 million (USD 13.4 million) and partnerships with approximately 2,000 organizations in developing countries. As of July 2013, Hivos reported a total income of EUR 116 million (USD 152 million) and partnerships with 713 organizations across 26 countries. As of July 2013, PLHIV has operations in approximately 65 countries.

By Michael Averell, Research Associate

About the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Uganda (AMFIU)

The Association of Microfinance Institutions of Uganda (AMFIU) is an umbrella organization for Ugandan microfinance institutions (MFIs) and related organizations. It was established in 1996 in order to strengthen Ugandan MFIs’ lobbying efforts with respect to government policy formation and to aid local MFIs in networking with other local and international organizations. As of December 2010, AMFIU has 122 member institutions.

About the National Network of People Living with HIV Uganda (PLHIV)

The National Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS Networks in Uganda is the Ugandan subsidiary of the Global Network of People Living with HIV (PLHIV), a Netherlands-based nonprofit that seeks to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS. As of July 2013, PLHIV has operations in approximately 65 countries.

About Stop Aids Now

Established in 2000, Stop Aids Now is a Netherlands-based nonprofit that offers care, treatment, prevention initiatives and income opportunities to people affected by HIV and AIDS. The organization particularly focuses on women and youth. In the year 2011, Stop Aids Now reported an annual income of EUR 9.9 million (USD 13.4 million) and partnerships with approximately 2,000 organizations in developing countries.

About the Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation (Hivos)

The Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation (Hivos) is a Netherlands-based nonprofit that focuses on nine themes: financial services and business development; sustainable production; human rights and democratisation; HIV/AIDS; gender, women and development; art and culture; information and communication technologies Ampersand (ICT) and media; advocacy and communication; and the “Knowledge Programme”, which is a platform for knowledge development for civil society organizations. The Dutch National Postcode Lottery and the Dutch government are the largest stakeholders in Hivos. As of July 2013, Hivos reported a total income of EUR 116 million (USD 152 million) and partnerships with 713 organizations across 26 countries.

About the Agency for Co-operation in Research and Development (ACORD)

Established in 1976, the Agency for Co-operation in Research and Development (ACORD) is a UK-based nonprofit development organization that seeks to promote social justice and anti-poverty programs in Africa. ACORD also provides financial and logistical support to microfinance organizations (MFIs) in Africa. As of July 2013, ACORD has partnerships with approximately 2000 organizations across 17 countries in Africa.

Sources and Additional Resources

[1] allAfrica News: “Uganda: Microfinance Institutions Join Anti-Aids Campaigns,” http://allafrica.com/stories/201307051365.html

[2] Stop Aids Now Press Release: “Microfinance services for HIV affected people,” http://www.stopaidsnow.org/node/317

MicroCapital story, February 23, 2011, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: MFTransparency Announces “Transparent Pricing Initiative” in Uganda, Gains Participation from Nine Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) Including Micro Enterprise Development (MedNet), Kacita, Y-Save,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-mftransparency-announces-%e2%80%9ctransparent-pricing-initiative%e2%80%9d-in-uganda-gains-participation-from-nine-microfinance-institutions-mfis-including-micro-enterprise-devel/

MicroCapital story, October 28, 2010, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: MFTransparency Launces Transparent Microfinance Pricing Initiative in Rwanda and Uganda,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-mftransparency-launches-transparent-microfinance-pricing-initiative-in-rwanda-and-uganda/

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Association of Microfinance Institutions in Uganda (AMFIU) https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Association+of+Microfinance+Institutions+of+Uganda+%28AMFIU%29

MicroCapital Universe Profile: National Network of People Living with HIV Uganda (PLHIV) https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=National+Forum+of+People+Living+with+HIV+and+AIDS+Networks+in+Uganda

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Stop Aids Now https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Stop+Aids+Now

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation (Hivos) https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Hivos

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Agency for Co-operation in Research and Development (ACORD) https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Agency+for+Co-operation+in+Research+and+Development+%28ACCORD%29

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