The government is probing a number of International Non-government Organizations (NGOs) for allegedly sponsoring subversive activities in Uganda, URN reports.
The Minister for the Presidency Ester Mbayo says that the government has obtained intelligence indicating that some foreign organizations are sponsoring political violence, protests led by opposition groups and activities aimed at undermining the government. She, however, declined to divulge details about the funding organizations.
But Mbayo pointed out People Power, the political pressure group led by the Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu also known as Bobi Wine, as one of the groups that silently benefit from the anti-government support from overseas.
Mbayo announced this during a retreat of Resident District Commissioners from the Buganda region. The RDC’s who are sitting at Hotel Brovad in Masaka are discussing the progress on the implementation of the National Resistance Movement-NRM party manifesto.
She said that such organizations are mainly targeting the urban youths adding that the government has already identified them and will take action in due course.
Mbayo added that the government has taken note of Ugandans in the diaspora who are taking advantage of the current situation to seek political asylum by staging protests to avoid being held as illegal immigrants.
Mbayo has now instructed all Resident District Commissioners to vigorously popularize government’s achievements and set out programs that intend to improve people’s welfare as one of the methods to counteract what she described as suspicious activities by opposition political actors.
But Suleiman Matojo Tiguragara, the Lyantonde District Resident Commissioner has told URN that some government’s programs have failed to meet the needs of Ugandan youths. He has challenged the government to review all youth targeted programs to ensure that all their needs are captured.
Nicholas Opiyo, the Executive Director of Chapter Four; a non-government organization dedicated to the protection of civil liberties and promotion of Human Rights has described governments perception on NGO’s as intent to demonize them and a clampdown on civil rights in the country.
He challenged the minister to adduce evidence of such anti-government NGOs and their illegal activities other than making unfounded threats.
