While the government restrictions on the operations of NGOs in Ethiopia can be termed as very restrictive and chocking,the developments in Uganda is disturbing.Disturbing because the reforms in the NGOs regulations exhibit a calculated move by the government to not only monitor the NGOs operations but also to have total,unquestioned control on it.
The Motives behind this development is what is still a blur to many.The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM),did a lot of consultation from the NGOs when the NGO policy was being re- formulated in the open forums and the NGOs were happy about this development.However,the joy was cut short when the OPM consulted the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA) in a closed forum,the outcome of which saw a mutilation and re-writing of some parts of the NGOs policy.When the NGOs complained about this,the MoIA was not kind to the NGOs,accusing it of all sorts of issues.
Some of the disturbing clauses in the NGOs regulation 2008 includes clauses
8 (4)This is on application for renewal,where the the documents for renewal can only be determined by the board
8(6) The board who do not have a representative from the NGOs can vary the terms and conditions of operations.
9 (1) The rejection of permit renewal can only be explained by the board and no room for appeal is allowed.
Regulation 13 (a) to (e) essentially criminalizes NGOs’ direct contact with citizens of Uganda in carrying out their operations.
17(3) (e) Dismissal can be at the discretion of the board.
This are some clauses among many others that are detrimental to the operations on NGOs in future.
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THESE RETROGRESSIVE REGULATIONS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE? KENYAN PARTNERS,THEY SAY IN SWAHILI IF YOUR FRIEND IS BEING SHAVED,PLEASE ALSO PREPARE TO BE SHAVED.WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS DO WE HAVE FOR UGANDA? POST YOUR COMMENTS
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3 comments:
Lets all shout at the rooftops against this.Please do not wait for the other person to shout on your behalf.That other person is actually you.Please utilise this space to shout out your feelings and comments.
The desire to crackdown on NGOs, Civil Society and other Non State Actors ( to borrow the World Bank term which is an euphemism for the Private Sector)is the dominant logic of most African states.
Without too much sugar coating of the same, this is derived from the foregoing logic of Governments to muzzle dissent. As such, its a clear pointer to a state that is quickly becoming repressive.
This has been done all over, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Congo, Chad, Ethiopia, all across the board.
For our comrades in Uganda, the advice is not to be naive in this issue, but to now cross ranks and forge a formidable national network that takes on this issue with the support of the regional partners and other actors of good will.
From the Kenyan experience in the Moi days, its to bring this to the realm of Government control.Remember all those reference to "Foreign Masters paying some actors to conduct subversive activities" etc. In the NARC era, since downright crippling wouldnt have worked since some of the new kids on the bloc had cut their teeth in the NGOs/CSOs/ Social Movements, the idea was to through spanners in the works by creating confusion in the NGO Council and hence destabilizing and delegitimnizing the sector. Am sure you have all heard the sentiment " Who do you represent? What is Your Mandate??" etc especially in Government-CSO/NGO engagements.
At its worst its issues of where is your funding from, filing returns, terrorism or just as a threat to state.
All in all, be very vigilant. And most of all, contexualize this within the national and internal unfolding political environment.
Am not a pessimist but trust me, with oil now flowing in Uganda, the M7 government will be upto some mischief. Especially if he takes the advice of the Comrade Brother Leader from Tripoli on the role of Revolutionaries.
Remember government will do this in doses since it has to keep the donors happy.
While at it, How old is Museveni's son?? i understand he is now head of the Presidential Guard. When leaders start putting their children and relatives in charge of sensitive national dockets......be very afraid.
But again, i could be wrong, but i read affinal succession across the border.
Anyone watched Bruce Willis, "Tears of the Sun??"
At times fiction prepares us for the idiosyncrasies of our political and economic elite. The " Constant Gardener" was spot on for Kenya.
Keep us in the loop in terms of plans and strategy and we shall mobilize our requisite capacities.
Onwards!!!
Kiama
Hi every one and thanks to Titus for coming up with something as creative as this. Unfortunately with so many other tasks at hand it becomes almost impossible to contribute to the debate.
About the situation of NGOs in Uganda and NGO policy, it is indeed alarming but what is more alarming is that there has not been a "threatening" uprise of CSOs against this. i have reflected on possible reasons and this is what comes to my mind. Could it be because an individual in the NGO forum who was spear heading a follow up on these issues is silentand many are waiting for a command from him? It could also be that CSOs in Uganda are not yet to terms with the reality and how much effect this will have on their work. But also it could be out of fear that an uprise could mean the worst because believe me government in Uganda and i believe in many other African countries is "big" and "untouchable". But the other reason could be that many CSOs in Uganda are not so credible and taking the lead to confront government could mean opening a can of worms. At this point i can not really tell what the reason is for the silence or there is some under ground work that is going on and we will be informed accordingly, am not sure. It is great that Kenya wants to back us in this but it has to start with Ugandans coming up. Who will do the mobilisation? At such times issues of niche usually stand in the way with some organisations waiting for those who have labelled themselves as advocacy organisations to take the lead. However even those in advocacy will say that is not their area may be theirs is budget advocacy. Whatever the reason, this is an alarming situation that needs to be challenged
Regards
Carol Nyanjura
CDRN
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