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.
Favour FM has learned that 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.
Speaking to Favour , Robert Ssempala, the Executive Director of the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, confirms receipt of the letter and says the organisation would comply.
Robert Kirenga, the Executive Director of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, also confirms that their operations had been suspended shortly after receiving the letter.
He expresses 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.
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