Govt Suspends Five Human Rights NGOs

The Uganda National NGO Bureau has ordered at least five prominent human rights organisations to suspend their operations with immediate effect, citing investigations into activities alleged to be prejudicial to national security.

Chapter Four Uganda, Alliance for Election Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), National NGO Forum, and National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders have each received letters from the Bureau notifying them of the suspension.

In a letter addressed to Chapter Four Uganda, the Bureau says it received intelligence information alleging that the organisation is engaged in activities that contravene Uganda’s laws and threaten national security, contrary to Section 42(d) of the NGO Act.

As a result, investigations have been instituted, and the organisation has been directed to halt all activities until the process is concluded. The Bureau says the organisations will be allowed to be heard during the investigations, which, according to the communication, are expected to be concluded within a “reasonable time.”

Similar letters, with identical wording, were sent to the other four organisations. The Bureau further requested the Inspector General of Police to ensure compliance with the suspension orders.

The directive also extends to the financial operations of the affected organisations. In the letters copied to the Executive Director of the Uganda Bankers Association, the Bureau asked banks holding the organisations’ accounts to freeze all transactions pending the outcome of the investigations.

Robert Ssempala, the Executive Director of the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, confirmed receipt of the letter and said the organisation would comply. “We don’t know what they have against us, but we are ready to fully cooperate with the investigators. As far as I know, we have never violated our licence,” Ssempala said.

Robert Kirenga, the Executive Director of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, also confirmed that their operations had been suspended shortly after receiving the letter. “We informed our staff and development partners immediately. As of now, our offices are closed, and we are complying fully,” Kirenga said.

Meanwhile, Henry Muguzi, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Election Finance Monitoring, said the organisation had notified its board, staff, stakeholders and partners, and had already suspended operations. He expressed concern over the allegations, noting that the organisation’s work focuses on transparency and accountability in public affairs.

The latest development comes about two weeks after Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, was arrested, charged and remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations related to the unlawful acquisition of Electoral Commission data.

Over the years, the government has repeatedly clashed with civil society organisations, accusing some of advancing foreign interests. While the immediate trigger for this latest crackdown remains unclear, tensions between the state and NGOs typically rise during election periods.

Uganda is set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on Thursday, this week, with a tight contest expected between the ruling National Resistance Movement and the National Unity Platform.