Daily Monitor
Thursday February 04 2021
Summary
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Uncertainty yesterday loomed large over the future of civil society organisations in the country after President Museveni ordered that operations of Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), their principal funder, be “immediately suspended”.
President Museveni ordered the Inspector General of Government (IGG), police and State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate how the Ministry of Finance authorised the DGF to operate in Uganda and allegedly bankroll NGOs and government agencies to undermine him.
The DGF is financed by governments of Denmark, Ireland, Austria, UK, Sweden, Norway and the European Union, with an aim of ensuring equitable growth, poverty eradication, rule of law and long term stability in Uganda.
Uganda s president has ordered the suspension of a multi-million dollar fund set up by donor countries, after complaining that it is run by foreigners and undermines Uganda s sovereignty.
In a letter, Mr Museveni ordered the police to investigate how the finance ministry had allowed foreign donors to have what he called a free rein to choose which activities to finance, without needing the consent of the government.
The Democratic Governance Facility is funded by seven donors, including the European Union.
Its suspension could have a dramatic impact as it helps finance many grass-roots organisations that focus on democracy and human rights.
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Uganda: Suspension of Democratic Governance Facility Highlights Growing Concerns
President Yoweri Museveni’s order to suspend the initiative comes as opposition parties bring allegations of electoral fraud to the Supreme Court.
In response to the suspension of the Democratic Governance Facility and other recent developments in Uganda, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“We are alarmed by the decision to suspend the Democratic Governance Facility,” said Jon Temin, director of Africa programs at Freedom House. “This fund is critical to the operations of many Ugandan civic organizations mandated to advance the rule of law and good governance and some government bodies, including the Uganda Human Rights Commission. Through this action, the government of Uganda is standing in the way of progress driven by Ugandans themselves.”
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