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Operations of civil society organizations will continue to be stifled until government understands their work – New Book.

Published

9 years ago

on

By witnessradio.org Team

Non Government Organisations in Most African countries will never operate under a leveled ground due to fear from ruling governments says a new book; the comparative experiences of NGO regulatory frameworks: Eastern and Southern written by Dr. Livingston Ssewanyana.

Ssewanyana said that most organizations are involved in empowerment of citizens who then hold leaders and government accountable, which is not liked by most African governments. https://www.verlagdrkovac.de/978-3-8300-9548-4.html

The book comes at a time when Uganda’s civic space is shrinking. Currently, bank accounts of two NGOs namely ActionAid Uganda and Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies have been frozen, 25 national NGOs face closure after being listed by government for allegedly involving in criminal acts, public rallies and closed door meetings for CSOs and political parties are blocked, demonstrators are brutally dispersed by police with of live ammunition and tear-gas with demonstrators being killed in abroad day light among others.

Speaking at the launch of the book, Ssewanyana said that Uganda’s regulatory framework on Non Governmental Organizations pits the state against the organizations causing constant friction.

“Countries like South African and Ghana have self regulation frame work, organizations just begin doing work and report even after, in other countries in Eastern Africa, CSOs register and begin to do work with a cordial relationship between the two, it’s unfortunate that in Uganda, and other countries like Zimbabwe, the state drives everything…” SSewanyana said at the launch of his book at Protea Hotel.

Speaking at the same function, the principal of school of law at Makerere University, Prof. Christopher Mbaziira said that it was absurd that government has misunderstood civil society organizations accusing them often times of serving foreign interests.

Meanwhile, the executive Director of the NGO Forum Richard Ssewakiryanga says that the book written by Dr, Ssewanyana will go a long way in helping people understand the history of the Civil Society Movement in the country. He says that the failure by people to understand NGOs exposes intellectual laziness and such publications help clear this.

The director Human Rights Center (HRC-U) and a member of the NGO bureau that monitors the organizations, Margret Ssekaggya expressed concern over the unfair laws that continue to stifle their work. She said that laws like the NGO Act under which they operate is not fair at all and create friction between the organizations and government which should not be.

Uganda currently has over 14,000 registered NGOs but queries have been raised on the legal frame work under which they run.

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NGO WORK

1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference 2026 | EA-ISC Nairobi

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 8, 2026

By

The largest Indigenous Seed gathering in Eastern Africa is happening this November!

From 17th–20th November 2026, farmers, pastoralists, community seed banks, researchers, policymakers, civil society organisations, and development partners will gather at the Catholic University of Eastern

Africa (CUEA), Nairobi, Kenya for the 1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference.

At a time when climate change, biodiversity loss, and shrinking access to locally adapted seeds continue to threaten our food systems, this conference will provide a much-needed platform to strengthen Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS), advance seed sovereignty, and ensure that farmers remain at the centre of the conversations and solutions shaping our food future.

There are many ways to be part of this historic gathering:

  • Register as a participant
  • Join the planning committees and help shape the programme
    -Organise a side event
  • Submit an abstract, story, video, audio piece, artwork, or research paper
  • Exhibit your work, innovations, products, or community initiatives
  • Support farmer and community participation
  • Partner with us as a sponsor or co-organiser

This is an opportunity to build a vibrant regional community of practice, strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and amplify farmer voices across Eastern Africa.

Register for the conference: https://eaindigenousseedconference.org/registration-abstract

Join us in planning as a co organiser: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSf6XOWaGnV…/viewform…

#indigenousSeedsEA2026 #SeedSovereignty #UnitedForLocalSeeds

Source: eaindigenousseedconference.org

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NGO WORK

UN Experts Put Tanzanian Government on Notice – “Ensure Transparency and Respect for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Ngorongoro”

Published

2 months ago

on

April 23, 2026

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April 17, 2026 press release from the offices of eight UN Special Rapporteurs1 calls for the Tanzanian government to immediately publish the findings of two presidential commissions amid growing concerns over its eviction plans.
The communication echoes the Oakland Institute’s warning that these sham Presidential Commissions are being used to rubber-stamp eviction plans without the consent of the Indigenous community.
The strongly-worded communication from the UN Special Rapporteurs states that “these reports are of profound public interest and must be made available to the public without delay…Decisions affecting tens of thousands of Indigenous Peoples cannot be taken behind closed doors.” The experts furthermore urge “the Government to halt any actions that could lead to forced displacement, and engage in meaningful dialogue with affected communities,” while issuing a clear reminder that “Indigenous Peoples have a right to remain on their traditional lands if they so choose…Conservation efforts must not come at the expense of human rights.”
Impacted Maasai communities welcome this intervention from the UN Special Rapporteurs and reaffirm their commitment to defend their rights to remain on their ancestral lands.
To learn more about the struggle against Fortress Conservation, watch the interview: The Dark Side of “Conservation”
On Fox 5 DC Weekend Live, Julie Donaldson interviews Andy Currier, Oakland Institute’s Policy Analyst. Watch the discussion on fortress conservation and the human cost of climate solutions that displace Indigenous communities who best protect our biodiversity.
Watch the video

Source: oaklandinstitute.org

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NGO WORK

Two dead as Siaya protests against gold mining firm turn tragic

Published

2 months ago

on

April 7, 2026

By

Ikolomani residents protesting against eviction plan to pave space for British mining company Shanta Gold on November 12, 2025. Two people died in similar protests in Gem, Siaya County.  Isaac Wale | Nation Media Group

Two people were shot dead on Monday in Gem–Ramula, Siaya County, after villagers staged a protest over an alleged eviction they linked to Shanta Gold Kenya Limited.

Area police boss Charles Wafula confirmed the incident, stating that the victims were among a group alleged to have attacked a police post after the officers moved in to disperse the demonstrators.

According to Mr Wafula, the demonstrators, angered by what they described as an illegal resettlement by the company, stormed the station during the protest, prompting officers to intervene.

“The individuals had organised a demonstration but they did not notify the police. Our officers moved in to contain the situation, but the group began attacking both officers and Ramula Police Post, damaging several items, including vehicles,” Mr Wafula said.

However, a local rights organisation has sharply contested the police account, portraying the killings as unlawful and unprovoked.

In a statement, the Community Initiative Action Group Kenya said the two victims identified as Henry Otieno and Jack Omenda were part of a peaceful protest against what they termed a forced eviction from their ancestral land.

“The community had gathered peacefully to demonstrate against Shanta Gold Limited’s attempt to relocate them without their consent,” said the lobby’s Executive Director Chris Owalla.

The group further alleged that police officers opened fire without warning following a confrontation with residents at Ramula Market.

“Witnesses state there was an exchange between the community and police after which officers opened fire, killing Henry and Jack on the spot,” Mr Owalla said.

The rights group also accused senior police officers including Mr Wafula and Charles Emodo of Directorate of Criminal Investigation, of disregarding a court order that had halted evictions and mining operations in the area.

According to Mr Owalla, the Environment and Land Court in Siaya had, on February 5, 2026, issued conservatory orders barring any involuntary resettlement of residents in Ramula and its environs, pending the hearing of a petition.

The organisation is now calling for investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the the Director of Public Prosecutions, alongside an independent autopsy on the victims.

Fear of evictions

The unrest is rooted in long-standing tensions over planned gold mining operations by Shanta Gold in the region. The company is seeking to establish a large-scale extraction project – one that residents fear could uproot communities and erode livelihoods carefully built over generations.

Similar scenes of unrest were reported in November 2025 in Ikolomani, where locals protested against possible relocations linked to the same company.

Shanta Gold has previously signalled its intention to invest in a multi-billion-shilling project in western Kenya, targeting high-grade gold deposits expected to yield significant output over several years.

Source: nation.africa

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