These are the facts:

• A non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Uganda is one which is registered with The National Bureau for NGOs, under the NGO Act, of which the current one was enacted in 2016.

• “The National Bureau for NGOs of Ministry of Internal Affairs is the regulatory entity mandated to monitor, regulate and coordinate the activities of all NGOs in Uganda.” (Source NGO Bureau website)

• As of 13th February 2023, according to the list published on its website by the NGO Bureau, there are 2,173 NGOs permitted to operate in Uganda – both foreign and indigenous.

• In Uganda, a civil society nonprofit organisation, as NGOs generally are, may obtain legal identity via registration with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) under the Company’s Act (Cap 110 of the laws of Uganda), without necessarily registering with the NGO Bureau.

• Civil society nonprofit organisations which register with the URSB may register as a company limited by guarantee and is without share capital; or as a trust; or as a foundation.

• Civil society nonprofit organisations which register with URSB are NGOs in the global meaning of NGO, but they are not NGOs in the legal meaning of NGO in Uganda.

Featured image @ Mr. Okello Stephen, Executive Director National NGO Bureau (2023)