KAMPALA, 22 August 2021, (TON): Authorities in Uganda have suspended more than 50 civic groups for allegedly not complying with regulations, dealing a blow to hundreds of thousands of people who directly benefit from the organisations’ activities.

The suspensions, which target agencies ranging from rights watchdogs to women’s groups, were announced by the government’s Non-Governmental Organization Bureau.

The bureau’s Chairman Steve Okello said “we have halted their operations.”

The suspensions take “immediate effect” and will be enforced, the NGO Bureau said in a statement.

It said that the measures were taken in response to the groups’ violation of myriad regulations, including operating with expired permits, failing to file accounts, or failing to register with the authorities.

Prominent rights group Chapter Four Uganda and election observer group CCEDU are among 15 facing indefinite suspensions.

The government’s action will renew fears of an assault on civil society that grew before a charged presidential election earlier this year.