Kotido, Uganda: The National NGO Bureau has warned that government will intensify enforcement against illegally operating Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), insisting that only organisations fully compliant with Uganda’s legal and regulatory framework will be permitted to operate.
The warning was issued by the Secretary of the National NGO Bureau, Dr. Stephen Okello, during the opening of a two-day District Reflection Meeting bringing together NGO regulators and civil society organisations from Kotido and Abim districts.
The meeting, held at Royal Madiba Hotel in Kotido, was organised by the Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU) under the Civic Space Improvement Project, attracting NGO leaders, district officials, members of District NGO Monitoring Committees and government regulators to discuss compliance, accountability and civic space.
Addressing participants, Dr. Okello reaffirmed that the National NGO Bureau remains the only institution legally mandated to regulate NGOs in Uganda and warned organisations operating outside the law to regularise their status or risk sanctions.
“Only legitimate NGOs should be allowed to operate in Uganda. The NGO Bureau is the only regulator of NGOs, and there is only one regulatory framework and one register for NGOs in the country,” Dr. Okello said.
He explained that every NGO must possess a Certificate of Incorporation, a Certificate of Registration, and a valid Operating Permit before commencing operations in Uganda.
According to Dr. Okello, compliance is not merely an administrative requirement but a legal obligation intended to safeguard accountability, transparency and public trust.
Inventory exercise underway
The NGO Bureau Secretary also highlighted the ongoing nationwide NGO Inventory Exercise, describing it as an important initiative aimed at establishing an accurate database of organisations operating across Uganda.
He said the exercise will enable government to strengthen oversight, eliminate illegal entities, and improve coordination between NGOs and state institutions.
“The inventory exercise is important because government must know who is operating, where they are working, and whether they comply with the law,” he noted.
Dr. Okello cautioned Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) against prematurely operating as NGOs without completing the required legal processes. He encouraged organisations to upgrade only after fulfilling all statutory requirements.
“Do not continue operating as a CBO when you are ready to become an NGO. However, when you rush, you crash. Upgrade when you are fully prepared,” he advised.
He further clarified that while foreign nationals are permitted to work for registered NGOs in Uganda, they are not allowed to establish or chair Community-Based Organizations.
Leaders call for accountability
Opening the meeting on behalf of government, Assistant Resident District Commissioner Peter Abraham Lokwii applauded NGOs for complementing government efforts in delivering essential services and supporting vulnerable communities.
He nevertheless urged organisations to remain transparent, accountable and fully compliant with Uganda’s laws.
The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Kotido also encouraged regulators and NGO leaders to use the dialogue to strengthen collaboration, improve mutual understanding and enhance accountability in implementing development programmes.
The two-day reflection meeting is expected to generate recommendations aimed at improving cooperation between government regulators and civil society organisations operating in Kotido and Abim districts.
Participants are also expected to discuss challenges affecting NGO operations in Northern Karamoja and identify practical measures to improve compliance while preserving civic space.
The meeting concludes today, Wednesday, with recommendations expected to guide future engagement between the National NGO Bureau, district authorities and development partners.
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