Uganda’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire, held a crucial meeting with a team of European Union Heads of Mission, led by H.E Jan Sadek, the Head of the EU Delegation to Uganda.
The meeting, convened at the Ministry Headquarters, aimed to address various issues of mutual interest between Uganda and the European Union.
According to a tweet by Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, the two parties discussed areas of mutual concern although it did not provide details.
However, Tuesday’s meeting came on the heels of a significant parliamentary development, as on the same day, Uganda’s Parliament approved the mainstreaming of the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as a department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is part of government moves to cost cut by merging agencies.
It should be noted that foreign governments implement some of their partnerships with Uganda through NGOs and sources intimated to this publication that Otafiire and the envoy could have discussed the same to make sure mainstreaming of the bureau, does not affect some of their work.
Uganda’s government has had a frosty relationship with NGOs in the recent past. In 2021, it suspended more than 50 civic groups accusing them of not complying with regulations.
Tuesday’s meeting also had envoys from Austria, Germany, France, Italy and other European states.
The move by parliament also, followed accusations that the current staff of the NGO Bureau have contributed to bureaucratic hurdles, impeding the effective monitoring of NGO activities in Uganda.
During the parliamentary session, concerns were raised regarding the utilization of funds allocated to the NGO Bureau, with revelations that a substantial portion of the budget had been expended on rent. MPs, including Peter Okeyoh and Isaac Modoi, voiced support for the mainstreaming proposal, emphasizing the importance of aligning NGO activities with national objectives and improving accountability.
However, amidst the discussions, concerns emerged regarding the potential consequences of mainstreaming the NGO Bureau. Some MPs, including Sarah Opendi, raised apprehensions about the infiltration of funds into the country through NGOs, alleging links to activities such as money laundering and the promotion of homosexuality. The Speaker of Parliament, Anitah Among, urged caution in the debate, highlighting the need for comprehensive scrutiny of the proposal’s implications.
Addressing these concerns, Minister Otafiire engaged in discussions with the EU Delegation, underscoring the importance of cooperation and dialogue between Uganda and international partners. The meeting provided an opportunity to explore areas of collaboration, including governance, human rights, and development initiatives.
