The National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organization has stopped 54 NGOs from operating in Uganda due to noncompliance with the NGO act of 2016.
23 NGOs are found of operating with expired permits which is contrary with section 31(1) and 32(1) of the NGO 2016, 15 have failed to file annual returns and audited books of accounts while 16 are found of operating without the NGO Bureau which is as well contrary to section 29(1) ,31(1) and 32(3).
According to Okello Steven who is the National Bureau of Non-Governmental Organization Executive Director said they can’t allow organizations to operate without authority and has stopped them with immediate effect.
Among the stopped is the famous Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) and Chapter Four.
Okello said CCEDU and Chapter Four have not reported their books of accounts and annual returns and they went ahead and observed the general elections.
Other suspended NGOs are;
Femrite Uganda women Writers Association, Islamic Da-awah and Orphanage Foundation, Leadership square Africa among others.
Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo of Chapter Four confirmed in a tweet that they have received a notification from the National Bureau for NGOs about this indefinite suspension.
He however noted that the they are working with relevant authorities to clarify the issues because they believe it is just a ‘misunderstanding.’