LIST: Here are 40 NGOs & Government Agencies Which Have Lost Funding after Museveni Ordered UN Human Rights Office to Exit Uganda

At least 40 Ugandan Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government agencies, international organizations and several partners who have been beneficiaries of support, including financial, from the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR Uganda) will lose out on billions in funding after President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni ordered the closure of the office.

For nearly two decades, OHCHR Uganda has been offering support and advice to the Government of Uganda on the formulation and implementation of policies, programs and measures for the promotion and protection of human rights; strengthening the capacity of human rights institutions and civil society organisations (CSOs) to promote and protect human rights; supporting the implementation of international human rights norms, standards, and outcomes of the human rights mechanisms or bodies and, monitoring the human rights situation in Uganda.

OHCHR Uganda’s five thematic areas of focus have been strengthening rule of law and accountability for human rights violations; enhancing equality and countering discrimination; enhancing and protecting civic space and people’s participation; integrating human rights in sustainable development; and increasing implementation of the international human rights mechanisms’ outcomes.

In doing its work, NGOs, government agencies and international partners have been recipients of support – most of it coming from the Governments of Sweden, Norway and Belgium. OHCHR’s annual budget has been $4.3m (about Shs15.4bn). As of March 2023, OHCHR Uganda had 45 staff: 36 nationals, and nine internationals.

The following are the NGOs, government agencies and international partners which will now lose out on the funding and other forms of support after the closure of the UN Human Rights Office:

1. AIDS Development Partners Group (ADPG)
2. Albinism Umbrella
3. Avocats Sans Frontières
4. Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence
5. Defend Defenders
6. District Local Governments (DLGs)
7. Equal Opportunities Commission
8. Foundation for Human Rights Initiative
9. Human Rights Committee of Parliament
10. Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights
11. Internal security Organisation
12. International Centre for Transitional Justice
13. Joint UN Program of Support on AIDS in Uganda (JUPSA) / UNAIDS Budget
14. Journalists Associations and Networks
15. Judiciary
16. Justice Defenders
17. Legal Aid Service Providers Network
18. Luwero Albinism Association
19. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
20. Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
21. Ministry of Health
22. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
23. Ministry of Local Government
24. National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders
25. National Council for Persons with Disabilities
26. National Planning Authority
27. National Union of Disabled Persons in Uganda (NUDIPU)
28. Office of the Prime Minister
29. Parliament of Uganda
30. Penal Reform International
31. Refugee Law Project
32. Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC)
33. Uganda Albinism Association (UAA)
34. Uganda Bureau of Statistics
35. Uganda Human Rights Commission
36. Uganda Law Reform Commission
37. Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces
38. Uganda Police Force
39. Uganda Prisons Service
40. UN agencies
41. Wakiso Human Rights Committee
42. Women Human Rights Defender’s Network

You can read more on Museveni’s decision to close the UN Human Rights Office Here.

It should be remembered that these are not the only NGOs to suffer funding cuts and job losses after Museveni ordered international organizations to leave Uganda. A few years ago, hundreds of Ugandan NGOs and their employees were left in tears after Museveni ordered DGF to exit Uganda. (See full list and more details Here, There and Over There).

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