Govt moves to engage NGOs suspended before elections

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Government is set to interface with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) whose operations were temporarily suspended ahead of the 2026 general elections.

“Inquiries are still ongoing, and I think in a week or two, we shall soon start summoning them because we have promised all of them a hearing,” said the executive director of the NGO Bureau, Stephen Okello.

The executive director of the NGO Bureau, Stephen Okello, disclosed this on January 23, 2026.

He was speaking during an engagement between officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, led by state minister Gen. David Muhoozi, and lawmakers on Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee, chaired by Nyabushozi County MP Wilson Kajwengye (NRM).

“The NGO Bureau suspended ten organisations, investigations are still ongoing, and the suspensions were precautionary. It was not like their permits were revoked or registration cancelled,” he further clarified.

His remarks followed concerns raised by Kibanda North lawmaker Linos Ngompek (NRM) regarding the fate of affected civil society organisations, which have played a key role in advocating for media rights.

“Recently, several NGOs including African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) and Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U) were temporarily closed. Do you have any plans of opening them soon, or you haven’t thought about it?” Ngompek asked.

About ACME, HRNJ

Although most of its work has been carried out in Uganda, ACME, which was established 17 years ago, has also operated in Ghana, Kenya, South Sudan and Tanzania.

Over the years, the organisation has made a significant contribution to journalists’ capacity building through facilitating training in emerging areas such as illicit financial flows.

It has also earned a strong reputation for specialised media research and annual awards recognising outstanding journalists in the country.

The suspension triggered widespread concern, with CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, expressing serious reservations about a decision it said was aimed at curtailing dissent.

“The NGO Bureau imposed these restrictions just five 5 days before the presidential and parliamentary elections. This has been followed by a total internet shutdown ordered by the Uganda Communication Commission, which took effect on 13 January and remains in place until further notice,” the body stated on January 15, 2026.

“Together, these actions reflect a recurring pattern by Ugandan authorities of restricting communication and arbitrarily targeting high-profile critics and civic actors in the lead-up to elections,” the statement added.

NGOs speak out

Although the issues raised against the organisation by the NGO Bureau are yet to be resolved, HRNJ-U executive director Robert Ssempala said the latest developments offered some relief.

In a phone interview with New Vision on January 23, 2026, Ssempala said, “It’s good that a response is coming out because initially we had indicated our readiness, but we were not privileged with a response yet.”

“It took all of us unaware because we didn’t have any red flags,” he added.

NGO Bureau funding shortfall

The NGO Bureau, which was affected by parliamentary rationalisation nearly two years ago, now operates as a department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It was established under the NGO Act of 2016.

Its core mandate includes the registration, regulation and monitoring of all Non-Governmental Organisations.

In the 2026/27 financial year, Sh2.088 billion has been allocated for improved regulation and management of NGO services, leaving a funding gap of sh5.1 billion.

Officials warn that the shortfall could lead to inefficiencies and reduced non-tax revenue.

USAID funding blow

Defence and Internal Affairs Committee chairperson Wilson Kajwengye noted that local NGOs are grappling with budget constraints, largely attributed to the dissolution of the United States Agency for International Development under President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy shift.

“Because USAID was funding other funders to fund NGOs. I know it affected European NGOs. As a planner, where do you see us moving forward? Are you going to overinvest when majority of NGOs will just be local NGOs?” Kajwengye asked.

“Just know that when you are looking for the budget, you have that in mind,” he cautioned.

Okello acknowledged the impact but said many organisations rely on multiple funding sources.

“There are actually those who only depended on USAID. We have actually seen them closing, but the rest, USAID was just one of their funders, they continue to survive on other funders,” he said.

“Majority of the NGOs are actually the indigenous ones. Actually, the most affected, just as you have said, rely on having partnerships with other NGOs who are also affected,” Okello added.