Government urges NGOs against foreign donor funding ahead of 2026 elections

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has warned Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to give up foreign donor funds with strict conditions ahead of the 2026 general elections.

According to the ministry, numerous NGOs have ceased their operations in Uganda following the heated 2021 elections, as some have been suspended by the government.

Stephen Okello, director general of the NGO Bureau, said there were more than 14,200 NGOs in the country in 2019, but the figure dropped to around 6,000 in 2024.

“We encourage NGOs to become self-sustaining by using Article 46 of the NGO Act, which allows them to raise funds locally. NGOs should not rely solely on foreign donations as currently more than 98 percent depends on them (donors),” he added.

President Museveni suspended the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) in 2021, accusing it of operating a large fund without proper government oversight.

In the same year, the government also suspended the activities of 54 NGOs through the NGO Bureau.

“You may see an NGO here today and gone tomorrow. It is very important for NGOs to think about sustainability. If you are completely dependent on donations, your independence and security are compromised. You end up aligning with the interests of those who fund you.” Okello warned.

Regarding faith-based organisations, Okello stated that all religious activities must be registered as NGOs and that the government has developed a policy to address issues affecting such organisations.

To talk MonitorFoundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) Executive Director Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana said that the NGO Act 2024 allows organizations to engage in income-generating activities, but the law does not provide automatic tax exemption to NGOs.

“Although these funds are reinvested into our operations. This issue needs to be revisited,” Sewanyana said. he said.

He also noted that local philanthropy in Uganda remains limited, leaving NGOs heavily dependent on foreign donor funding. “

“There are very few people willing to support socially focused activities. That’s why we’re looking for resources from abroad,” he said.

“Ssewanyana emphasized that it is difficult to discuss the sustainability of NGOs while human rights violations continue in the country, and stated that Uganda constantly experiences negative election experiences.”

Sewanyana called on the Ugandan government to learn lessons from the November 5 elections in the United States, which many observers concluded were peaceful, free and fair elections, where voter turnout was high and uninterrupted.