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Uganda: Press statement in response to NGO Bureau’s halting of operations of 54 NGOs.

  • August 21, 2021
  • Posted by: hrdcoalitionAdmin
  • Categories: Press Statement, Uncategorized
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(Kampala/August 21st, 2021)

The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda (NCHRD-U) is deeply concerned with the actions taken by the Non-Governmental Organisations [NGO] regulatory body; the National NGO Bureau which have an effect on some of our members and has implications on the wider Civil Society (CSO) sector. The NGO Bureau yesterday issued a statement halting operations of 54 NGOs in Uganda citing non-compliance concerns to the NGO Act 2016 such as delayed renewal of permits, filing of annual returns among others.

While we do not question the NGO Bureau’s mandate, we wish to see and feel fairness and justice in how it plays its role as a regulator and moreso, as a would-be enabler of the NGO operating space.

“The coalition has always emphasized to its members to ensure legal compliance at all times and will continue to do so. The NGO sector has been equally disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore all regulatory bodies must take this into consideration before taking any action against members of the sector” states Robert R Kirenga Executive Director, NCHRD-U”

As part of the wider civil society partners that participated in the CSO leader’s crisis meeting this morning under the leadership of the NGO Forum, we look forward to having constructive engagement with government on how best the sector can be enabled to carry out its critical work in contributing to the development of country in these challenging times.

On behalf of the coalition membership, we are positive that in a cordial environment the compliance issues will be resolved and we remain available to provide legal and any other support to our members as part of our mission to provide support to human rights defenders.

For God and My country

Robert R Kirenga
Executive Director 

For further information please contact;

Robert.R. Kirenga Executive Director +256-787-498-984  executive@hrdcoalition.ug
Edward Serucaca Advocacy Officer +256-772-484-504  advocacy@hrdcoalition.ug