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Uganda’s development story is a tapestry woven from the joint efforts of the State, the private sector, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Recent trends toward frequent NGO suspensions threaten to tear this fabric.
While government oversight is necessary, enabling NGOs to thrive rather than disabling them is far more beneficial for national stability and growth. As life settles back into routine following Uganda’s 2026 general elections, uncertainty remains for many within the NGO sector.
The pre-election period saw a wave of suspensions targeting key organizations. Now, in the post- election landscape, the sector waits to see whether the State will pursue reconciliation or continue using regulatory powers to enforce indefinite closures.
On January 9, 2026, the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO Bureau) announced the immediate suspension of several prominent organizations, including the Uganda National NGO Forum, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders-Uganda, Chapter Four Uganda, and the Centre for Constitutional Governance.
These directives sent a chilling message across the sector. The NGO Bureau cited Section 42(d) of the NGO Act, Cap 109, alleging that the organizations engaged in activities “prejudicial to the security and laws of Uganda.”
While such allegations are not new, their repeated use during politically-sensitive periods has become a concerning trend. This aggressive policing comes at a time when the sector is already struggling. NGOs face shrinking civic space and declining donor funding.
According to the OECD, total Official Development Assistance to developing countries fell to $214.5 billion in 2024, a 6% drop from 2023. Major donors, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, cut billions in aid despite rising global needs.
For Uganda’s NGO sector, already stretched by regulatory pressures, these reductions further threaten the delivery of critical services. NGOs derive their mandate from Article 38 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, which guarantees every Ugandan the right to participate in government and engage in peaceful activities that influence public policy.
The National NGO Policy, 2010, and the broader regulatory framework emphasize partnership and shared responsibility. Laws such as the Local Governments Act recognize NGOs as complementary partners that fill gaps in service delivery, where the government cannot reach alone.
Recent state actions, however, suggest otherwise and reveal a persistent strain in relations with the NGO sector that threatens long-term development. National security is a legitimate concern, but its use as a justification to restrict NGO operations must follow constitutional accountability.
In recent cases, the reasons for suspensions have appeared vague and poorly articulated, raising questions about whether these actions are legal or politically motivated. This legal ambiguity was addressed in a landmark 2022 High Court ruling, following Chapter Four Uganda’s challenge of the NGO Bureau’s 2021 decision to suspend the organization indefinitely.
The Court confirmed that the Bureau cannot impose indefinite suspensions and that any suspension must have a clear time limit, as open-ended measures invite abuse and cannot serve as a pretext to halt NGO operations.
NGOs have proven their value as institutional partners. They worked closely with the National Planning Authority during the development of the National Development Plan IV, ensuring the roadmap remained inclusive and premised in the realities of ordinary Ugandans.
Suspending these organizations now is equivalent to removing the ladder after it has helped the country climb. A 2021 blueprint study of 419 NGOs found that their programs directly reached over 12 million Ugandans and indirectly impacted around 32 million people across 66 districts.
NGOs employ thousands of Ugandans, contribute billions in tax revenue through PAYE and VAT, and attract foreign investment in the form of development aid. Suspending them leaves gaps in essential services and reduces government revenue.
NGOs engaged in civic education and democratic governance provide platforms for citizen participation, accountability, and transparency. Cutting these programs undermines civic engagement and infringes on fundamental freedoms guaranteed under Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 25 of the ICCPR, both ratified by Uganda.
To safeguard development and human rights, Uganda must create a predictable regulatory environment for NGOs and implement the principles of the NGO regulatory framework. Genuine collaboration between government and civil society is essential.
Rather than punishing NGOs or labeling them as foreign agents, the government should deepen engagement, expand platforms for dialogue, and build trust. Existing forums coordinated by organizations such as the Human Rights Centre Uganda are valuable but need strengthening and wider coverage to achieve meaningful collaboration.
The State should conduct transparent, evidence- based assessments before suspending NGOs and ensure civic space is protected so organizations and human rights defenders can operate without interference.
Unless the aim is to dismantle the sector, collaboration must take priority over confrontation. The government should recognize NGOs as vital partners in national development rather than threats to stability.
As donor funding declines, the state should work strategically with NGOs to plan together and ensure continuity in service delivery. Essential programs for Ugandans must not be disrupted by political or regulatory actions.
In conclusion, NGOs are not adversaries of the state. When government and civil society work as partners, Uganda is better placed to achieve development goals and uphold democratic values. Protecting the country’s gains requires protecting the work of NGOs and reconsidering measures like suspensions.
Continuing this cycle undermines national development and weakens the sector that has contributed so much to progress.
Written by Programme Officer- Advocacy, The Human Rights Centre Uganda.
Email: kkitambula@hrcug.org / kitambula66@gmail.com
Tel: 0784691285- WhatsApp
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