KAMPALA, UGANDA — Operations at several prominent good governance and human rights civil society organisations (CSOs) in Uganda have been disrupted following a decision by the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) to freeze their bank accounts.
The move marks a significant escalation in state monitoring of non-governmental entities deemed “hostile” by government authorities. Sources within the FIA alleged that the affected CSOs have been receiving foreign funding intended to destabilize public order and incite civil unrest.
Prominent Anti-Corruption and Rights Groups Targeted
Among the primary organizations affected is the Agora Centre for Research, founded by award-winning journalist and activist Agather Atuhaire. Agora has been at the forefront of digital activism and public accountability campaigns in Uganda.
Other high-profile organizations whose accounts have been blocked include:
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African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ): Led by investigative journalist Solomon Serwanjja, the institute plays a critical role in media training and transparency reporting.
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Chapter Four Uganda: A prominent legal rights defense organization currently headed by Anthony Masake following the tenure of human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo.
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Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG): Led by Sarah Bireete, who faced brief detention earlier this year amid heightened state scrutiny.
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Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies (GLISS): A public policy research institute headed by policy analyst Godber Tumushabe.
Operations Paralyzed Across the Sector
Representatives from the affected entities report that the financial restrictions have severely impacted day-to-day functions, halting ongoing community outreach, field operations, and advocacy campaigns.
An employee at one of the targeted CSOs, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the immediate strain caused by the freeze:
“This decision has effectively paralyzed our operations. We are unable to meet basic operational costs, pay staff salaries, or execute our planned activities.”
Human rights defenders have expressed growing concern that prolonged financial freezing could dismantle key democratic watchdog institutions in the country. Efforts to obtain an official statement or further details from the Financial Intelligence Authority regarding the formal timeline of the investigation remain unsuccessful.
