Uganda has seen a dramatic decline in the number of registered non-governmental organizations (NGOs), officials confirmed on Monday. The number of NGOs has dropped by more than half in the past four years, a trend attributed to stricter government regulations and a reduction in foreign funding.
According to Stephen Okello, Executive Director of the National Bureau for NGOs, the number of registered organizations has fallen from 14,000 in 2019 to just 5,021 by August 2023. The Bureau continues to receive applications, primarily from locally funded groups.
The decline follows a series of government measures aimed at tightening control over the sector. Foreign-funded NGOs have been particularly affected, with many donors withdrawing support after the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2021, the NGO Bureau suspended 54 organizations, ranging from women’s rights groups to advocacy organizations, for failing to meet regulatory requirements. These actions have heightened concerns over shrinking civic freedoms in the country.
Chris Nkwatsibwe, a member of the NGO forum, stated that the situation has grown increasingly difficult. He pointed to financial constraints facing foreign agencies that once supported local NGOs. Stringent government regulations on foreign and local financial support have further complicated operations.
Human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza added that the restrictive legal environment has created an atmosphere of fear. “We are watching our backs,” Kiiza said, warning that the number of NGOs will continue to shrink unless the government changes its stance.
The growing regulatory pressure is pushing NGOs to reconsider their operations in Uganda, as many fear reprisals from state authorities.
