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
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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