Uganda suspends operations of five rights groups over security allegations ahead of election

A voter during a past election in Uganda/BBC/GETTY IMAGES

Uganda’s National NGO Bureau has directed five major civil society organisations to immediately halt their work, saying they are under investigation for activities deemed harmful to national security.

Those affected include Chapter Four Uganda, the Alliance for Election Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), the National NGO Forum and the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders.

In formal notifications sent to each group, the Bureau cited intelligence claims that the organisations had breached provisions of the NGO Act and engaged in conduct considered contrary to national interests.

The organisations were instructed to suspend all programmes and operations while the inquiry proceeds.

HRNJ-U Executive Director Robert Ssempala said the decision had caught them by surprise.

“We don’t know what wrongdoing they believe we have committed, but we shall cooperate fully. To my knowledge, our licence has never been violated,” he said, noting that the order had arrived just days before Ugandans head to the polls.

Robert Kirenga, who leads the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, confirmed that their offices were shut soon after receiving the letter.

“Our staff and partners have been informed and we are complying,” he said.

ACFIM Executive Director Henry Muguzi voiced similar concerns, stressing that the organisation’s mandate focuses on promoting openness and accountability in governance.

“We have notified all stakeholders and put activities on hold. We hope the process will be transparent and fair,” he stated.

The Bureau has also enlisted the Inspector General of Police to enforce the suspension and asked banks to freeze the organisations’ accounts pending the completion of investigations.

The move comes roughly two weeks after Centre for Constitutional Governance boss Sarah Bireete was arrested and charged over claims linked to the unlawful acquisition of Electoral Commission data.

Uganda holds presidential and parliamentary elections Thursday, with a close race predicted between the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the National Unity Platform (NUP).

The actions against civil society groups have prompted renewed concerns about the narrowing space for activism and human rights monitoring in the lead-up to the vote.

President Yoweri Museveni, 81, in office since 1986, is aiming for a seventh successive election victory.

His main competitor, Bobi Wine, 43, has promised a revolution in governance and sweeping reforms.

Campaigning has been marked by the disruption of opposition activities, including the detention of activists and the breaking-up of rallies by police.

The 21.6 million registered voters will be taking part in three elections presidential which has eight candidates parliamentary (1) where 353 constituency MPs will be elected and parliamentary (2) where 146 women representatives, one per local district will be elected.