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2025-01-09-accounts

UGANDA PROJECTS GBV ANNUAL REPORT

10[th] January 2024 to 9[th] January 2025

1196095 Charity number

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Contents

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1.0 Reference details

Registered name: GBV UGANDA PROJECTS

Registered number: 1196095

Address: 10 Bailey Street, Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent South Wales NP23 4DN

Bank: CAF Bank 25, Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Mailing, Kent ME19 4JQ.

Accountant: Esther Jordan

1.1 Structure, Governance and Management

GBV UGANDA PROJECTS (GUP) was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered on 11[th] October 2021 with a constitution as its governing document.

Should the need arise new trustees will be appointed for a term of two years by the existing trustees taking full account of the individuals’ skills, knowledge, and experience. Any new trustees will be appropriately trained in respect of their responsibilities, procedures, and Charity Commission compliance.

The charity does not employ any staff and is administered by Carole Parsons Founder-director, under the direction of the Trustees, all decisions regarding finances, policies, direction are discussed and agreed by the appointed trustees at that time.

1.2 Trustees

David James– Chair Carole Parsons – Founder-director Margaret James – Trustee Sarah Stacey – Treasurer Marion Namwanje Paine - Trustee Jalia Nabulalu Packwood - Trustee Kelly Leslie – Trustee

Cheryl Tariro Chingasho – Trustee 2[nd] May 2025 prior to this date as a volunteer for GBV Uganda Projects

1.3 Trustees statement

It is not considered that the charity is exposed to major risks, but this is continually reviewed and should any such be identified, mitigating procedures will be devised and implemented.

GBV UGANDA PROJECTS was awarded an Advanced mentoring and Charity development in 2023 by ‘Hub Cymru-Africa, bringing together charities, individuals and partners across Wales and Africa, whose vision is a globally responsible Wales, which acts in solidarity with the people of Africa.’

1.4 Trustees Annual report

The trustees present their third annual report for the period 10 January 2024 to 9 January 2025, the financial statements for the same year are appended.

1.5 Public benefit statement

The trustees of GBV UGANDA PROJECTS confirm that they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have regard for the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and that the public benefit requirement has informed the activities of the charity period up to and including the 9[th of] January 2025

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2.0 Founding Directors Statement

There is a longstanding relationship between Africa and Wales, underpinned by collaborative engagements over many years. The Welsh Government's “Wales for Africa programme” actively encourages participation in development initiatives on the African continent.

This cooperation is characterised by partnerships focused on sharing expertise and knowledge in an atmosphere of mutual respect and reciprocity. These dynamic, civil society-based efforts have fostered meaningful connections between individuals and organisations across both regions, supporting collective progress towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. GBV Uganda Projects contributes to the Wales and Africa Action Plan 2020-2025 by promoting increased leadership and advancing the rights of women and girls in Uganda. Key initiatives include programmes aimed at reducing domestic abuse, fostering business opportunities and skill development, and facilitating peer-to-peer learning. In Wales, efforts are directed at enhancing awareness and understanding of abuse and its impacts on families, communities, and society. We remain committed to supporting abuse prevention activities in Wales, including disseminating resources from Welsh Women’s Aid and promoting access to the Live Fear Free Helpline (0808 801 0800).

Our partnership with SUP Community Initiatives Africa (NGO) has strengthened significantly over the past year, resulting in notable achievements. SUP has established several new alliances in Uganda that enhance the effectiveness of support provided to beneficiaries and reinforce the organisation’s overall capacity.

One prominent collaboration involves Metge, which works alongside the Welsh Government to provide trees and smokeless stoves to rural communities. More information is given in the overview of activities 2024 information.

Networks developed by SUP with law enforcement and prosecution services have led to an increase in victims reporting incidents of domestic and sexual abuse. Additionally, a recently established refuge—generously funded by a donor to GBV Uganda Projects—has created a secure environment for individuals fleeing abuse.

The projects continue to grow, extending their reach to empower more women and girls by supporting income generation, reducing poverty, creating employment opportunities, and encouraging female leadership within communities.

SUP also provides community education on healthy relationships, life skills, and the consequences of abuse, with particular attention to the wellbeing of children as future leaders. This comprehensive approach is yielding positive outcomes, including reductions in abuse, shifts away from harmful cultural norms, and improvement in power dynamics.

GBV Uganda Projects has expanded its board of trustees to eight members and recognises the importance of promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Carole Parsons

Carole Parsons Founder Director

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3.0 Introduction

GBV Uganda Projects collaborates with the registered NGO, SUP Community Initiatives Africa (SUP), which operates in 13 sub-counties within the Mbale and Mount Elgon districts of Uganda to assist the most vulnerable populations. SUP’s mission focuses on initiating and supporting efforts to enhance the quality of life for disadvantaged families by facilitating capacity building, promoting sustainable livelihood projects, supporting environmental initiatives, and preventing gender-based violence.

The United Nations defines gender-based violence as follows:

“The definition of discrimination includes gender-based violence, that is, violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately. It includes acts that inflict physical, mental, or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion, and other deprivations of liberty.” (CEDAW 1992: para. 6).

Domestic abuse is a gendered crime - Women’s Aid (womensaid.org.uk)

SUP maintains partnerships with various frontline agencies to mitigate the effects of abuse on individuals, families, and communities. The organization also works closely with the criminal justice systems in Mbale, offering support to survivors as they pursue available criminal and civil legal remedies.

In the absence of a comprehensive social welfare system in Uganda, survivors of abuse and their families often face significant hardships due to limited access to education, skills training, support, and financial resources.

3.1 Risk Assessment

Given the focus on vulnerable individuals, it is essential to maintain a rigorous risk analysis framework. The organization’s documented risk assessment, which identifies risks faced by the charity, is reviewed annually by the trustees and remains under continuous evaluation.

Any identified risks encountered during the year are discussed collaboratively by GUP and SUP, with responsive actions documented in the annual report.

3.2 GBV Uganda Projects

The charity is grateful for the work of our essential volunteers who have supported the charity through the following areas. We appreciate the time they commit to the Charity and the skills they bring to help towards the healthy growth of GUP.

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Volunteers

4 Activities of the charity

GBV UGANDA PROJECTS activities are centred around the prevention or relief of poverty in Uganda by providing grants, items, and services to individuals in need and/or charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty. It is informed through consultation with the communities and organisations with which it is partnered. For further information consult our website www.gbvugandaprojects.co.uk

4.1 Overview of Activities 2024

During its third year, the organisation has maintained a strong focus on consolidating and enhancing its operations, strengthening partnerships with stakeholders in Uganda, evaluating optimal investment opportunities, and planning strategically for the next five years.

Key efforts have been directed towards:

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techniques, empowering them to start their own businesses or seek employment once they have graduated.

This initiative is funded by ‘The Welsh Government’s Wales Africa grant scheme, administered by WCVA.’

Further achievements include:

Evangelistic activities continue, with procurement of Bibles and support for Pastor Alex, resulting in three new church plants, several baptisms, and extensive training for pastors and leaders. The need for additional Bibles remains as congregation numbers grow and cell group structures are formalised. We thank Pastor Alex and Joe James, who provided a Kingdom Living training package utilised for further community development.

Skills development remains central, with entrepreneurial training delivered to 253 girls/women and twelve men, promoting innovation and economic empowerment. Sixteen financial literacy sessions were conducted, equipping beneficiaries with budgeting and saving strategies to help achieve their goals.

SUP prioritises GBV awareness, integrating it into activities such as community mobilisation, project handovers, assessments, and life-planning workshops.

Safeguarding measures have been strengthened, notably through installation of five additional cameras at the reception/refuge, shop, and compound—serving both as a deterrent and providing a safe environment for all students, staff, and residents.

Life planning skills training is designed to empower women and girls, supporting them to navigate challenges, set meaningful goals, and build better futures for themselves and their communities.

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Personalised counselling and guidance are offered to address unique challenges faced by students, helping them to successfully complete their training.

Regular monitoring of prior projects has provided valuable insights, facilitated feedback collection, and informed ongoing improvements. In November 2024, the GUP team gathered beneficiary testimonials highlighting improved livelihoods, increased social status, and advancements into leadership roles thanks to newly acquired skills.

With support from Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust, ten sewing machines were distributed to qualified graduates for use as income-generating assets. Loan agreements were established following capacity assessments, ensuring accountability and sustainable impact.

Forty survivors of GBV participated in a tailored skilling project supported by £3,454 from Brian Murtagh Charitable Trust, receiving materials and practical training to enhance their self-reliance and confidence.

Ongoing pastoral care and support are provided to address emotional or personal barriers to learning, fostering resilience and encouraging participation in student leadership bodies. This aligns with objectives under the Welsh Government International 2020-2025 plan to empower women and girls.

Environmental conservation efforts were advanced in partnership with METGE (The Mount Elgon Tree Planting Enterprise), distributing 5,400 seedlings—including Caliander, Albizia, lemon, and other fruit trees—to various community beneficiaries to promote sustainability and household income generation.

Collaboration with partners such as Busoba sub-county, Bungokho sub-county, Mbale city, and Mbale district has fostered programme synergy, resource sharing, and collective advancement towards common objectives, including the launch of a new tailoring programme for ten students.

We extend our sincere thanks to all funders and donors whose support continues to transform lives and reduce poverty among beneficiaries. To reinforce sustainability, revenue streams now include allocations from salon services, clothing sales, loan repayments from tailoring graduates, event hire, and proceeds from honey and craft sales.

5. The way forward in 2025:

At GUP, our planning team is currently focused on identifying funding opportunities and suitable venues for presentations. We have set a target to organise five funding events over the next 12 months, with plans to expand upon this as we gain insights from each event. As this represents a relatively new initiative for our organisation, we will also be introducing crafts created by our Ugandan tailors—alongside items produced by volunteers and the GUP team—which will be available for purchase at these events.

GUP will maintain ongoing collaboration with Welsh Women’s Aid, utilising their resources related to abuse and support services available in Wales. It has become evident that informational materials are well-received during our talks, with several churches and venues agreeing to display Wales Feel Fear Free Abuse Helpline cards, thereby increasing public access to support services.

Additionally, GUP is committed to enhancing organisational capacity by participating in training sessions throughout the coming year. These will include proposal writing, funding research, and capacity building programmes provided by Hub Cymru-Africa and WCVA. We will also assist SUP in

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researching grant opportunities and developing funding proposals to support sustainability and NGO development.

With respect to GBV initiatives, our objective is to secure funding to establish a pig and goat farm for SUP. The aim is to generate financial resources that will cover operational expenses such as amenities, volunteer reimbursements, and salaries for key roles including project officer, coordinator, and accountant. This strategy will support SUP’s long-term sustainability and reinforce GUP’s ongoing commitment to empowering girls and women through vocational training and community projects.

6.0 Financial Review

During the fiscal year, GUP received financial support through one-off donations, regular monthly contributions, and grants from various foundations and trusts. Gift Aid will be claimed in the next financial period. GUP maintains a collaborative financial strategy with SUP, focusing on long-term sustainability.

6.1 Reserves Policy

As there is currently no recurring overhead expenses, the charity does not hold reserves at this time; however, this policy will be subject to review within the coming year.

6.2 Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are allocated at the trustees’ discretion, in alignment with the charitable objectives. Restricted funds are managed according to the specific purposes outlined by donors or designated fundraising campaigns. All restricted funds received have been utilised strictly in accordance with these stipulations.

6.3 Foreign Exchange transactions

SUP holds an account in Uganda to receive funds from GUP. GUP sends direct payments via the UK bank to SUP bank. GBV have at times used:

Businesses authorised to provide 'Payment services.’

Regular accounts for each project are provided by SUP and a yearly accumulated balance of the accounts is sent annually to GUP.

6.4 GBV Uganda Projects

GBV Uganda Projects

10th January 2024 to 9th January 2025

£ £
Receipts Restricted Unrestricted
Donations 37,437.50 13,649.82
Interest received
Bank
Compensation
Total 37,437.50 13,649.82

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GBV Uganda Projects

Payments Restricted Unrestricted
Bank charge 25.00 5.90
Bibles 1,800.00 -
Centre Costs - -
Construction 7,224.00 540.00
Digital - -
Equipment - -
Funding Events - 60.00
Gift Aid - -
Gifts - -
Miscellaneous - 32.00
Other - 1,571.09
Projects 13,000.00 3,980.00
Tailoring 3,455.00 300.00
WCVA: Wales 16,000.00 -
Africa grant
Website - 259.20
Total 41,504.00 6,748.19
Net Cash 4,066.50 6,901.63
Previous Cash Balance b/fwd 7,797.05

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GBV Uganda Projects

Cash Balance as at 9th Jan 10,632.18 2025

Statement of financial activities

Opening Balance 10th January 7,797.05
2024
Donations 10th January 2024 to 9th January 37,437.50
2025 (restricted)
Donations 10th January 2024 to 9th January 13,649.82
2025 (unrestricted)
Bank interest
Total 51,087.32
Expenditure Restricted Unrestricted
Description Funds Funds
Bank charge 25.00 5.90
Bibles 1,800.00 -
Centre Costs - -
Construction 7,224.00 540.00
Digital - -
Equipment - -
Funding Events - 60.00
Gifts - -
Miscellaneous - 32.00
Other - 1,571.09
Projects 13,000.00 3,980.00
Tailoring 3,455.00 300.00

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GBV Uganda Projects

WCVA: Wales 16,000.00 - Africa grant Website - 259.20 Total expenditure 41,504.00 6,748.19 Grand total 48,252.19 Closing balance as 10,632.18 of 9th January 2025

Accounts amended by E.Jordan

Signature: E. Jordan Dated: 26/02/26

OPINION

We have audited the financial statements of GBV Uganda Projects for the year ended 9th January 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting and organisational policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

~ give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 9th January 2025 and of the charity's net movement in funds for the period 10th January 2024 to 9th January 2025 then ended.

~ have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act. Signed

P. W Hall

…………………………………..

P W Hall

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26/02/26

Declaration

Statement of the trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with the applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provision of the constitution requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding any assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above.

Dave James

David James Chairperson Dated: 11th August 2025

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