The National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO Bureau) has suspended the operating permit of human rights organisation Chapter Four Uganda with immediate effect.
The suspension follows alleged intelligence reports indicating that the organisation is engaged in activities deemed prejudicial to national security.
“In the execution of this mandate, the NGO Bureau works with various stakeholders to ensure compliance with the NGO regulatory framework and the laws of Uganda,” reads part of a letter addressed to the Executive Director of Chapter Four Uganda.
According to the Bureau’s Secretary, Dr. Stephen Okello, the NGO Bureau is in receipt of intelligence information suggesting that Chapter Four Uganda is involved in activities that are prejudicial to the security and laws of Uganda. As a result, the Bureau has instituted investigations into the matter.
He said that due to the sensitivity of the matter and the nature of the allegations, which relate to national security, the organisation is required to cease operations until the investigations are concluded.
“The investigation will be concluded within a reasonable time, and you will be given an opportunity to be heard during the said investigations,” the letter states.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to suspend the NGO permit of Chapter Four Uganda and direct you to cease all operations of the organisation with immediate effect,” he added.
This is the second time the Bureau has suspended the operations of the organisation. In August 2021, the government suspended the activities of Chapter Four Uganda, the Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU), and 52 other organisations for failure to file annual returns and audited books of accounts.
