The Ugandan government has lifted the suspension on 10 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that was imposed earlier this year. The suspension was put in place by the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations, which operates under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on January 9. At the time, the Bureau froze the bank accounts and operating permits of several human rights and election-monitoring organizations, just days before the 2026 General Election.
The decision to lift the suspension was announced by Prof Ephraim Kamuntu, the Minister of Internal Affairs, during a quarterly dialogue meeting with NGO leaders in Kampala. Prof Kamuntu stated that he had reviewed the circumstances surrounding the suspensions and found that some of the issues raised were minor. He directed Stephen Okello, the Secretary of the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations, to lift the suspension and allow the affected organizations to resume their operations.
The organizations that were suspended include the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), Agora Centre for Research, African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV), Chapter Four Uganda, Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF), Network of Public Interest Lawyers (NETPIL), National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda (NCHRD-U), and Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U).
Prof Kamuntu cautioned the organizations against engaging in activities that could create friction with the government or contravene the law. He emphasized that the government is strong and can ignore minor infractions, but warned the NGOs to operate within the law and avoid causing trouble. The meeting was held under the theme, “Enhancing a Sustainable Relationship between Government and the Civil Society Sector in Uganda through Dialogue.”
The quarterly dialogue meeting provides a platform for the government and civil society organizations to engage in discussions and address issues of mutual concern. The meeting is an opportunity for the two sectors to review their relationship and identify areas for improvement. The lifting of the suspension is seen as a positive development for the NGOs, which can now resume their operations and continue to advocate for human rights and good governance.
The suspension of the NGOs had been widely criticized by human rights groups and the international community. The organizations play a crucial role in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance in Uganda. Their suspension had raised concerns about the government's commitment to these values. The lifting of the suspension is seen as a step in the right direction, but the NGOs will need to operate with caution to avoid any future conflicts with the government.
The government and civil society organizations in Uganda have a complex relationship. While the government has a responsibility to regulate the activities of NGOs, it also has a duty to respect their rights and freedoms. The lifting of the suspension on the 10 NGOs is a positive development, but it remains to be seen how the government will engage with the civil society sector in the future. The dialogue meeting will continue to provide a platform for discussion and engagement between the two sectors.
Key points
- The Ugandan government has lifted the suspension on 10 NGOs, allowing them to resume operations after a review of the circumstances surrounding their suspension.
