The Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) has frozen bank accounts belonging to several non-governmental organisations operating in Uganda as part of ongoing investigations into the sources of their funding and the nature of their operations.
The Director of the Financial Intelligence Authority, Samuel Wandera, confirmed the development, saying the decision was taken jointly with other government agencies after concerns were raised over financial flows linked to the organisations.
“We are working with other agencies and decided to freeze the accounts as investigations continue into the operations of these NGOs,” Wandera said.
Security sources say the organisations have been flagged to provide detailed explanations regarding the sources of funds they have received and the activities financed by those funds.
Among the organisations whose accounts have reportedly been frozen are Agora Centre for Research, Chapter Four Uganda, African Institute for Investigative Journalism, Centre for Constitutional Governance, and The Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies, among others.
According to a director in one of the affected organisations who spoke on condition of anonymity, the freeze has affected both institutional accounts and, in some cases, personal accounts linked to officials of the organisations.
“Organisational accounts have been frozen and in some cases personal accounts,” the director said.
Security sources estimate that the organisations collectively received more than Shs70 billion in recent years, prompting authorities to seek accountability for the funds.
Investigators are particularly interested in examining the sources of the funds, financial flows, and the activities supported by the funding, especially those coming from foreign partners and development organisations.
Sources further indicate that once the Financial Intelligence Authority completes its preliminary review, the matter will be referred to police for further investigations.
The findings will then be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who will advise on whether any criminal charges or other legal action should be taken.
The development comes amid increased scrutiny of NGO operations and financial compliance in Uganda, with authorities emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the management of funds by civil society organisations.