By Government plans to lift the suspension of 10 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) within two weeks, a move expected to restore jobs, development programmes and some foreign currency inflows into the economy.
Minister of Internal Affairs Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu announced the decision on November 10, 2026, during a meeting with civil society organisations in Kampala. The organisations were suspended on January 9, 2026, following security-related concerns.
Among those affected were Chapter Four Uganda, the National NGO Forum, the Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda and the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME).
The decision comes amid concerns over declining foreign currency inflows, partly attributed to reduced donor funding and disruptions in the NGO sector.
Many NGOs receive grants from international development partners in US dollars, which are converted into shillings to finance salaries, procurement and community programmes. Reduced funding therefore means less foreign currency entering the local market.
Uganda Radio Network reported in September that declining NGO-related dollar inflows, alongside cuts in USAID funding, were among the factors contributing to pressure on the shilling.
Other contributing factors include rising demand for dollars by importers, higher petroleum prices and disruptions to tourism.
The reopening could help restore some of these inflows. However, the extent of the impact will depend on whether international development partners resume disbursements to the affected organisations.
Government’s announcement is therefore a positive development for the NGO sector, although it remains to be seen how quickly operations and donor funding will recover.
