Civil society organisations in Kampala have issued a strong call to action, demanding the immediate reversal of government measures they say are shrinking civic space and undermining constitutional freedoms.
In a joint press statement released, the organisations rejected accusations that they are threats to national security, insisting instead that they are critical partners in Uganda’s development.
They called for the urgent reinstatement of suspended NGOs and the unfreezing of their bank accounts, describing the ongoing actions as illegal and unjustified.
The groups also pushed back against proposed regulatory reforms under the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), warning that plans to establish a state-controlled NGO fund could centralise control over donor funding and weaken the independence of the sector.
“We are not terrorists or saboteurs,” the statement reads, “but partners in the pursuit of a better Uganda.”
Beyond administrative actions, the organisations are demanding respect for constitutional guarantees, particularly the rights to association, expression, and participation in governance.
They argue that continued hostility from the state risks eroding trust and weakening collaboration needed for national development.
The civil society actors are now urging government to shift from confrontation to cooperation, positioning themselves as willing partners in delivering services and strengthening accountability across the country.