Uganda’s government has ordered two local human rights organisations to suspend their activities just days before the country’s presidential election.
The move affects Chapter Four Uganda and the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), both of which have documented alleged arbitrary detentions and abuses of opposition supporters and journalists in the run-up to the vote scheduled for January 15.
In a letter seen by Reuters, the state-run National Bureau for NGOs instructed Chapter Four to stop its operations immediately, citing involvement in activities “prejudicial” to Uganda’s security. HRNJ-U reportedly received a similar directive, confirmed by its head, Robert Ssempala.
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Stephen Okello, head of the state NGO bureau said he had issued the letters to both organisations.
The UN Human Rights Office said in a report on Friday that Ugandan police and military personnel had used live ammunition to disperse peaceful rallies, conducted arbitrary detentions, and abducted opposition supporters ahead of the election.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has led Uganda since 1986 and seeks to extend his four-decade rule, has twice amended the constitution to remove age and term limits, consolidating control over state institutions and making an upset in the 46-million-strong country highly unlikely, according to political analysts.
Last month, police raided the home of Sarah Bireete, a vocal critic of rights abuses, detaining her on charges related to unlawful disclosure of voter information. Bireete has denied the charges and remains in custody.
A Ugandan government spokesperson did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. Authorities have defended security operations as necessary to address what they described as lawless conduct by opposition supporters.
