During a recent plenary sitting on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, legislators passed the NGO (Amendment) Bill, effectively scrapping the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Board and returning its oversight functions to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Chairperson of the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, Hon. Wilson Kajwengye, revealed that the functions previously carried out by the NGO Board could be effectively managed within the Ministry, as was the case prior to the creation of the Board in 2016.
The amendment integrates the National Bureau of NGOs as a department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, aligning with the government’s policy to rationalize various entities.
Under the new law, the Bureau will be headed by a Secretary, who will report to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Secretary will be responsible for day-to-day operations, fund management, and administration of the Bureau’s property.
Kajwengye justified the dissolution of the Board by citing potential cost savings for the government, estimated at up to Shs1.1 billion annually. He also highlighted the mainstreaming of Non-Tax Revenue collected from NGO registration into the Ministry’s budget.
However, not all legislators were in agreement with the decision. Hon. Asuman Basalirwa, Bugiri Municipality MP, raised concerns about bureaucratic processes in NGO license renewal under the Board’s jurisdiction, arguing that the current system poses challenges for NGOs.
“Getting information or renewal of licenses from NGO Board is extremely difficult, even basic things are being a challenge, I do not think its stay is justified,” Basalirwa said.
On the other hand, Hon. Dononzio Kahonda the Ruhinda South County MP, disagreed with the Committee’s report, emphasizing the Board’s role in enhancing registration, monitoring, and inspection of NGOs. He highlighted the significant financial contributions of NGOs and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to Uganda’s economy.
Kiboga District Woman MP, Hon. Christine Kaaya, echoed concerns about the dissolution of the Board, expressing fears that mainstreaming the Bureau under the Ministry could affect inspections and monitoring of NGOs. She emphasized the importance of timely responses to donors and the valuable fundraising contributions of NGOs to the nation.
“It will be a very difficult moment if the Board is dissolved because NGOs are bound by donors who need timely responses and we know their contributions in terms of fundraising for this nation,” she said.
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