
This is happening after the Action Aid accounts have been frozen. The Same has happen to Great Lakes institute for Strategic Studies (Gliss) as well. Action Aid has ironically been called to contribute to Katakwi celebrations days after. So the need for civil society and support is there, just in balance with the controlling needs and their affect on society. Something the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President Museveni cannot live with. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni wants now to not have inference by the NGOs, even if his state needs the aid and needs loans to pay their bills. The goodwill of foreign donors, usually comes with some checks- and balances by NGOs and Multi-National Organization. In the midst of trying to forge himself a life presidency. This is not acceptable.
Therefore, 28 NGOs has gotten feedback that they have to do this:
First they have to deliver Audited Accounts from 2014-2016. Also, the half year financial report of 2017. These reports has to be delivered to the state. The other papers the state suddenly needs is reports of their activity from 2014-2016, they need a half year report of 2017 of their activity in 2017. Continuing the need for information is that they have to deliver certified bank statements from 2014 to September 2017. A copy of the incorporation certificate, certificate of registration and the NGO Permit. Also, the work plans, budget and strategic plan from 2014-2016. All governing documents of the NGO. Than, a list of directors and the boards of the NGO. Finally the list of bank accounts.
This proves how much information and why they want to total insight into the operations of these NGOs. That the state now needs excessive information and control. They do it as they are gearing up the life presidency. So the state will have control of the 28 NGOs and nothing will done in secret or be in a way that questions their power. If they do or even are involved anything electoral or questions about the campaigns that the NRM do. They will not be questioned and their powers.
That is why these organizations are questioned: Action Aid, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), Association of Human Rights Organization in Uganda, Be Forward Uganda, Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy of Uganda (CCEDU), Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), Development Network for Indigenous Voluntary Associations (DENIVA), Educate Uganda, Feed the Children Uganda, Finnish Refugee Council, Ford Foundation, Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), Forum for Woman in Democracy (FOWODE), Global Refugee International Uganda, Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies (GLISS), Good Neighbours, Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU), Human Rights Network (HURINET), Mercy Corps, MIFUMI, National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Solidarity Uganda, Synagogue Church of all Nations, Teso Anti-Corruption Coalition, Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF), Uganda Youth Network (UYONET) and Uhuru Institute for Social Development.
They are really going all out there, all sort of civil society organizations like CCEDU, who has been vocal in educating the people of the value of the vote and electoral practice. Something, the state haven’t bothered to do. They are now seeking documents from FHRI, who has spoken for individual rights for woman and their role in society. This is going against the NGOs who studies the society and political landscape like Uhuru Institute for Social Development, HURINET and HRCU. Certainly, these are handpicked by the state for that manner. CSBAG has been critical about the budgets and reasons for the use of taxpayers monies, as well as explaining the values of taxes. Clearly, this has moved them into a questionable path.
But, what is striking is the Ford Foundation, Feed the Children, DENIVA and Mercy Corps. We can wonder their issues with the state and why they we’re picked in the bunch. Are they spending to much in development in certain areas. Ford Foundation main offices in East Africa is Nairobi. Director Maurice Makoloo must really question why his NGO is under siege, like the rest of them. Feed the Children have been working in Northern Uganda since 2012 with Nutrition Programs, Health & Water, Pre School Education and their Livelihood. Mercy Corps been working in Uganda since 2006, they are training farmers with business skills, providing jobs for building roads, promoting maternal-child health and nutrition programs and emergency response to the South Sudanese refugees. I wonder also, what did the Finnish Refugee Council do to get on the list, because they support this in Uganda: “Our work in Uganda improves refugees’ changes to raise their living standards. We provide refugees skills and abilities which can immediately help them increase their income levels”. All of this seems like reasonable causes to work for, therefore you know there is else behind it.
We all know the Age Limit is the cause, the Age Limit problems causes issues for the NGOs and the NRM wants to show power. We can just humiliate the government, because we know the reason. They are afraid to be undressed, but they are already naked. They just don’t know themselves, the President is soon vivid on the pages of The Onion, Red Pepper, Daily Monitor, New Vision and the newspapers around. Where his weakness will be delivered on the front-page.
Certainly, the attacks on the NGOs will also be looked ill on the possible donors that the President has left, after the troubles he has created during the recent decade. There will be more trouble if he continues to hammer on the aid organizations and the NGOs who are supported by either individuals abroad, but also multi-national organizations and state funding from donors. All of this is vindictive of the state, since they are doing this to silence possible questions of their behavior. Peace.





















