KAMPALA.
The government has indefinitely suspended the operating permit of rights advocacy group Chapter Four Uganda, citing alleged activities deemed prejudicial to national security.
In a letter issued by the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Bureau) dated January 9, the NGO Bureau said it had received intelligence information indicating that Chapter Four Uganda was engaged in activities contrary to Section 42(d) of the NGO Act, and ordered the organisation to cease operations with immediate effect pending investigations.
The Bureau, which operates under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said the suspension would remain in force until investigations are concluded, adding that the organisation would be given an opportunity to be heard during the process.
The development comes at a time government is tightening oversight of NGO’s activities ahead of the January 15 presidential elections.
Several organisations were closed or denied permits by government in the run-up to the 2021 elections on grounds of supporting opposition activities, a claim NGOs denied.
The Inspector General of Police and the Registrar General were notified to ensure compliance, while the Uganda Bankers Association was advised to alert banks of the development.
Chapter Four Uganda is a Kampala-based civil society organisation formed and headed by lawyer Nicholas Opiyo known for litigation and advocacy on human rights and rule-of-law issues. In post on his X(formerly Twitter) , said he no longer has any operational role in the organisation and should not be linked to its current activities.
“I resigned my position with the organisation over a year ago,” Opiyo said in a post on X. “Even though I am a founder member, I am not involved in its day-to-day running.”
Opiyo added that any issues concerning him should be addressed directly to him rather than to people he previously worked with.
“Anybody who wants to deal with me should come to me and not haunt folks I used to work with,” he said.
The NGO Bureau did not provide details of the specific allegations, citing the sensitivity of the matter and national security concerns.
Uganda has in recent years tightened regulation of non-governmental organisations, with authorities saying the measures are necessary to ensure compliance with the law, while rights groups argue the framework is used to restrict civic space.
There was no immediate public response from Chapter Four Uganda to the suspension notice.