By Male Deogratius
On 20th August 2021, The National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Bureau) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs published a decree, revoking operational licences and certificates of 15 NGOs and halting the operations of 36 others. Many of those affected highlight human rights violations and have contributed to civil society development in Uganda. The Ugandan government accuses the NGOS of failing to register with the NGO Bureau or for operating with expired NGO permits. Those indefinitely suspended are accused of consistently failing to file annual returns and audited books of accounts and for failing to comply on other issues.
The dissolution of these organizations is a new low for human rights in a country that has continuously failed to respect fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association. The closure and suspension of organizations is intended to silence independent civil society voices committed to defending human rights and civic space in Uganda.
It’s important to note that closure and suspension of these organizations follows several restrictions imposed on NGOs, including a national validation exercise in 2019, the public order management act that was nullified by the constitutional court in 2020 and the recent closure of Facebook and these indicate the suppression of freedoms of assemble and association.
The NGO Bureau has imposed the current restrictions on civil society organization’s at a time when members of security personnel continue to enjoy high levels of impunity for targeting human rights defenders and journalists.
I therefore urge the government to rescind the suspensions of all NGOs affected, respect its international human rights obligations, and create an enabling environment for civil society organisation and human rights defenders.
The author Male Deogratius alias Omusawo Tintah is a journalist, entrainment radio presenter, passionate about the matters of human rights and keen on matters of national importance.
