Government Freezes Bank Accounts of Prominent Civil Society Organizations
UGANDA — Operations at several high-profile civil society organizations focused on governance and human rights have been brought to a standstill after the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) moved to freeze their bank accounts.
Sources within the FIA indicate that the crackdown targets groups perceived as hostile to the government, with authorities alleging that the organizations have been receiving foreign funding intended to incite unrest.
Among the affected entities is the Agora Centre for Research, founded by journalist and lawyer Agather Atuhaire, known for its activism on good governance. Similarly, the African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ) , led by investigative journalist Solomon Serwanjja, had its accounts frozen. The AIIJ has been pivotal in training journalists in investigative techniques.
Other organizations caught up in the sweep include Chapter Four Uganda, now led by Anthony Masake (who took over from Nicholas Opiyo), the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) headed by Sarah Bireete, and the Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies (GLISS) , directed by Godber Tumushabe. Bireete was briefly detained by authorities earlier this year.
An employee from one of the affected organizations, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the freezing of assets has crippled their work.
“We can’t carry out some of our planned activities,” the staff member said.
The sudden financial lockdown has sent shockwaves through the civil society sector, raising concerns that ongoing programs, staff salaries, and essential community outreach initiatives could be severely impacted. The targeted groups are primarily involved in advocacy surrounding governance, accountability, and human rights.
Efforts to obtain an official comment from the Financial Intelligence Authority regarding the rationale behind the mass account freezes were unsuccessful by press time.
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