The government has suspended the operating permit of human rights organisation Chapter Four Uganda with immediate effect, citing intelligence information that links the organisation to activities deemed prejudicial to national security and contrary to the laws of Uganda.

In a letter dated January 9, 2026, the National Bureau for Non Governmental Organisations operating under the Ministry of Internal Affairs directed Chapter Four Uganda to halt all its activities as investigations into the alleged misconduct commence.

“The National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organizations receives intelligence information that Chapter Four Uganda is engaged in activities which are prejudicial to the security and the laws of Uganda contrary to Section 42(d) of the NGO Act Cap 109 as amended,” the letter signed by the Bureau’s Secretary Dr Stephen Okello, reads in part.

The NGO Bureau noted that the decision was taken in line with its statutory mandate to regulate, coordinate, monitor, and oversee all NGO operations in the country, adding that the allegations against Chapter Four Uganda touch on sensitive matters of national security.

“Due to the sensitivity of the matter and the nature of the allegations that relate to national security the organisation should cease operations until these investigations are concluded,” the Bureau stated emphasising that the suspension takes effect immediately.

According to the directive Chapter Four Uganda will be accorded an opportunity to be heard during the course of the investigations which the Bureau said will be concluded within a reasonable time.

“The purpose of this letter therefore is to suspend the NGO permit of Chapter Four Uganda and direct you to cease all operations of the organisation with immediate effect,” the notice further states.

In a move that signals the gravity of the matter the NGO Bureau formally notified key state and financial oversight institutions.

“The Inspector General of Police is hereby requested to ensure that Chapter Four Uganda does not continue to operate until this case is concluded,” the letter says.

The Registrar General at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau and the Executive Director of the Uganda Bankers Association were also notified and advised to take note of the suspension.

However, this is not the first time Chapter Four Uganda’s operations have been halted by state authorities. In August 2021 government suspended the permits of several civil society organisations including Chapter Four citing non compliance with the NGO Act failure to file annual returns and audited accounts and alleged irregularities in funding and reporting.

Chapter Four challenged that suspension in the High Court arguing that the decision was unlawful and that the organisation had not been granted a fair hearing as required by law.

In May 2022, the High Court ruled that the indefinite suspension was irregular and directed that the organisation be accorded a hearing, a decision that paved the way for the renewal of its permit and the resumption of its operations after months of closure.

The decision comes shortly as the country waits to carry out 2026 general elections on Thursday and this political period is often marked by increased scrutiny of civil society organisations and their sources of funding activities and public engagement.

Chapter Four Uganda which has been involved in legal aid governance and human rights advocacy had not issued an immediate public response to the suspension by the time of publication.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the NGO Bureau have maintained that the action is administrative and lawful, stressing that investigations will determine the next course of action once concluded.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Nicholas Opiyo, the Chapter Four focal person was unsuccessful as all his known telephone numbers were off.

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The Electoral Commission has confirmed that Uganda’s presidential election winner will be officially announced within 48 hours after polling concludes.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, January 12, 2026, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the vote-counting process will begin immediately after polls close. Votes will first be tallied at district centres before being transmitted to the national tally centre in Lubowa, Wakiso District.

“Once all district results have been compiled at the national centre, the Commission will officially declare the outcome of the presidential election within two days of the polls closing,” Justice Byabakama stated.

He also clarified the voting procedure, explaining that each voter will receive three separate ballots: one for the presidential election, one for the District Woman Member of Parliament, and one for the Directly Elected Member of Parliament. Each ballot will be placed in its own clearly marked ballot box.

Justice Byabakama added that every polling station will have seven election officials, including an election constable, all of whom will be clearly identifiable to voters, party agents, and election observers.

Justice Byabakama emphasized that all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible election.

He called on all stakeholders, including political leaders, voters, security agencies, election observers, media houses and the general public to work together to ensure a smooth and orderly process.

“The media play a vital role in maintaining peace. We urge journalists to report responsibly, accurately, and professionally before, during, and after the elections, as this is critical to national stability,” Justice Byabakama said.

However, according to the Ministry of Finance’s released pre-election economic and fiscal update data, a total of Shs1,238.75 billion has been required by government agencies to prepare and conduct Uganda’s 2026 general elections. The largest portion of this funding, Shs838.71 billion, was allocated to the Electoral Commission (EC) to cover logistical, staffing, and operational costs of running the polls.

Preparations began in FY 2023/24, when Shs76.12 billion was budgeted and released for the EC’s election-related activities. In FY 2024/25, the Commission received Shs312.40 billion, while the bulk of the funds, Shs728.20 billion, was allocated in FY 2025/26, the election year itself.

Security agencies have also been fully funded to safeguard the elections. The Uganda Police Force was allocated Shs263.03 billion in FY 2025/26, while the Uganda Prisons Service received Shs14.98 billion. These funds are meant to ensure law and order at polling stations, during vote counting, and throughout the electoral period.

As of November 2025, a total of Shs1,116.72 billion had been released to all agencies, with Shs838.16 billion already spent. Of this, the Electoral Commission spent Shs606.59 billion, the Police Force Shs222.83 billion, and the Prisons Service Shs8.75 billion.

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Uganda’s economy remains resilient and firm on a growth path despite global uncertainties, according to the pre-election economic and fiscal update released by the Ministry of Finance ahead of the January 2026 general elections.

Presenting the update, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi said the report was prepared in line with the Public Finance Management Act Cap. 171, which requires the government to publish an economic and fiscal outlook not earlier than four months before polling day.

“This update has been written in accordance with the law and is based on all policy decisions and other circumstances with economic and fiscal implications known to the government at the time of its finalisation,” Ggoobi said.

The Ministry reported that Uganda’s domestic economy has demonstrated strong resilience despite global headwinds, including trade wars and heightened geopolitical tensions. Economic growth stood at 6.3 percent in the financial year 2024/25, supported by macroeconomic stability arising from effective coordination between fiscal and monetary policy.

“Inflation has remained within the five percent policy target, the exchange rate has stayed stable with a bias towards appreciation, and export earnings from coffee and industrial products have reached new highs,” Ggoobi noted. “These outcomes signal that recent government measures to promote exports and raise productivity are beginning to deliver tangible results.”

The strength of the economy has also been reflected in rising investor confidence. Foreign Direct Investment increased to $2.98 billion in FY 2024/25, largely driven by developments in the oil and gas sector. At the same time, remittances from the Ugandan diaspora rose to $1.57 billion, while tourism receipts recovered to the same level following the slump caused by the #COVID-19 pandemic.

“Together, these represent the highest levels of foreign direct investment and remittances ever recorded in a single financial year,” the update states.

As a result of the improved external position, foreign exchange reserves strengthened to 3.7 months of future imports by September 2025, up from 2.3 months a year earlier, excluding oil project related imports.

On the social economic front, the Ministry reported notable progress in reducing poverty and subsistence livelihoods, largely attributed to government interventions such as the Parish Development Model.

“The share of households operating in the subsistence economy declined to 33.1 percent by the end of FY 2023/24, while poverty levels fell to 16.1 percent from 20.3 percent in FY 2019/20,” Ggoobi said, describing the gains as a strong foundation for further transformation.

Looking ahead, FY 2025/26 is described as pivotal despite being an election year. It marks the first year of implementing the Fourth National Development Plan alongside the tenfold growth strategy aimed at expanding the economy from about $62 billion to over $500 billion dollars within the next fifteen years.

“With stability preserved, economic growth is projected at 6.6 percent in FY 2025/26 and is expected to strengthen to over seven percent over the medium term,” Ggoobi said. 

He added that the government would continue prioritising agro-industrialisation, tourism development, mineral development, including oil and gas, and science and technology innovation, supported by investments in infrastructure, security, and human capital.

On election financing, the Ministry assured the public that adequate resources have been provided to support the electoral process.

“Since the start of FY 2023/24, the government has allocated and released a total of Shs1.116 trillion to agencies implementing the electoral roadmap. We remain committed to further supporting the process to ensure smooth delivery of the general elections,” Ggoobi said. 

The update also shows that while Uganda’s trade deficit narrowed in FY 2024/25 due to strong export growth, it widened in the first quarter of FY 2025/26 as imports increased to support investments in the oil and gas sector ahead of first oil.

On domestic revenue, collections in the first quarter of FY 2025/26 amounted to Shs7.55 trillion, falling short of the target due to lower than expected performance in customs, indirect domestic taxes, and non-tax revenue. However, income taxes performed above target, with strong growth in corporate tax, withholding tax, and taxes on interest.

Government expenditure slightly exceeded plans during the quarter as implementation of domestically financed development projects was accelerated. Significant resources were directed towards agro industrialisation, science and technology, mineral development, tourism, infrastructure, human capital development and security.

“As the country enters the election period, the government will continue taking deliberate efforts to preserve a stable macroeconomic environment. Peace, stability, and sound economic management remain essential to sustaining growth and safeguarding the progress Uganda has made,” Ggoobi said. 

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Sources at CID headquarters told Eagle Online that top officials of interests are Chief Executive Officer, Jenifer Bamuturaki, and Chief Finance Officer Allan Kyeyune

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Police Criminal Investigations Directorate have launched investigations into alleged abuse of office, embezzlement of funds and false accounting against officials of Uganda Airlines.

The CID has, in a letter dated January 7, 2026, signed by Lumala Fed on behalf of the Deputy Director of CID in charge of Economic Fraud and Anti-Corruption, addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, requested extensive financial, procurement, and operational documents to aid ongoing investigations into the national carrier’s financial transactions.

Among the certified copies of documents sought after by the joint investigation team are the approved national airline business and implementation plan, budget for the F/Y 2024/2025, contracts committee minutes that approved the purchase of Boeing Aircraft, and procurement files for Mix jet flight support services, Associated Energy Group, Nyanzi Tours and Travel, and Aircraft leasing services (ALS) Limited.

Additionally, the police have asked for documents on the procurement file for the construction of Uganda Airlines offices in Entebbe, the internal audit report for the Financial Year 2024/2025, revenue accounting and ticketing records for the Year 2024/2025, and Banking and cash receipts for FY 2024/2025.

Furthermore, investigators are seeking for the expenditure and supplier transactions for fuel for FY 2024 / 2025 and a list of companies which supported the launch of the Uganda Airlines London Route which marked the national carrier’s entry into long haul operations.

The CID has since tasked the Uganda Airlines officials to hand over the documents to D/SP Nakatudde Winniefred, whom it assigned to receive the requested documents.

Since mid-last year, the National Airline has been in the spotlight over a number of issues including several corruption allegations, lack of spare parts, flight disruptions and un notified flight cancellations among other woes.

By the time of this publication, Uganda Airlines had not yet released a statement on the inquiries.

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