This archive report was first published on 20 August 2021.
On August 20, 2021, the Ugandan government took a significant step in tightening its control over civil society by announcing the suspension of 54 non-governmental organisations.
The move, which affects prominent rights groups like Chapter Four, was justified by the National Bureau for NGOs as a response to the organisations' failure to comply with relevant legislation.
According to the Bureau, the groups had operated with expired permits, failed to file accounts, or neglected to register with the authorities.
Some of the affected organisations had participated in an election monitoring operation in January, which was subsequently raided by security forces and led to the arrest of several leaders.
President Yoweri Museveni's sixth term in office was secured following a violent campaign marked by the harassment and arrest of opposition figures, attacks on the media, and the deaths of several dozen people.
Chapter Four's executive director, Nicholas Opiyo, described the situation as 'serious' after confirming that his group had received the government's order to close.
