The Ugandan government has suspended five rights groups ahead of the polls
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.
Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), National NGO Forum, and National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders.
Each organisation received letters from the Bureau notifying them of the suspension, citing intelligence information alleging that they are 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 organisations have been directed to halt all activities until the process is concluded.
“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,” said Robert Ssempala, Executive Director of HRNJ-U. Ssempala expressed concern about the timing of the suspension, coming just days before the general election.
Robert Kirenga, Executive Director of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, said 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.
Mr Henry Muguzi, Executive Director of ACFIM, expressed concern over the allegations, noting that the organisation’s work focuses on transparency and accountability in public affairs.
“We have notified our board, staff, stakeholders, and partners, and have already suspended operations,” Muguzi said.
He added that the organisation was committed to cooperating with the authorities and hoped that the investigations would be conducted fairly and transparently.
The Bureau has requested the Inspector General of Police to ensure compliance with the suspension orders and asked banks holding the organisations’ accounts to freeze all transactions pending the outcome of the investigations.
This development comes about two weeks after Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, was arrested and charged over allegations related to the unlawful acquisition of Electoral Commission data.