The National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations has suspended the operating permit of Chapter Four Uganda, effective immediately, citing intelligence reports that the organisation is engaged in activities deemed harmful to national security.
In a statement issued on January 9, 2026, the NGO Bureau said the suspension was effected under provisions of the NGO Act, directing the human rights organisation to halt all its activities pending the conclusion of investigations.
“The NGO Bureau has suspended the permit of Chapter Four Uganda with immediate effect after receiving intelligence information indicating that the organisation is engaged in activities prejudicial to national security,” the Bureau said.
Chapter Four Uganda, which has been led by Executive Director Anthony Masake since early 2025, is among at least five civil society and human rights organisations affected by similar suspensions in recent days. Others include the Alliance for Election Finance Monitoring (ACFIM) and the Human Rights Network for Journalists–Uganda (HRNJ-U).
The move comes just days before the January 15 general elections, drawing sharp criticism from opposition figures and human rights advocates, who say the timing is intended to silence election monitoring and civic engagement.
Reacting to the suspension, former Chapter Four staff member and founder Nicholas Opiyo distanced himself from the organisation’s current operations.
“I resigned my position with the organisation over a year ago. Even though I am a founder member, I am not involved in its day-to-day running. Anybody who wants to deal with me should come to me and not haunt folks I used to work with,” Opiyo said.
Human rights advocate and UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima condemned the suspension, calling it an attack on civil society and democratic accountability.
“Shutting it down days before the vote on vague ‘intelligence’ claims is preposterous. This is about silencing citizens and crippling election monitoring — and it destroys what little credibility this election had left,” Byanyima said.
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, described the move as politically motivated and aimed at shielding electoral malpractice.
“Two days to the General Election, the criminal regime has shut down several leading Civil Society Organisations. The targeted organisations are those that have been loud against human rights violations or preparing to monitor the elections,” Kyagulanyi said.
Civil society activists have also expressed concern that the suspensions undermine peace and development. “Harassing, blocking and crippling human rights defenders undermines peace and development,” said activist Kiiza Eron, expressing solidarity with the affected organisations.
The NGO Bureau, however, has maintained that the suspensions are administrative and lawful, noting that affected organisations will be given an opportunity to respond once investigations are concluded.
Chapter Four Uganda previously challenged a similar suspension in court and successfully overturned it, raising the possibility of renewed legal action.
