What Is A Non Governmental Organization?
A non-governmental organization is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in humanitarianism or the social sciences; they can also include clubs and associations that provide services to their members and others.
How To Register A Non Governmental Organization In Uganda?
In Uganda the Non Governmental Organisations are regulated by the Non Governmental Organisations Registration Act Cap 113 as amended in 2006. The Act governs the registration, management and governance of Non Governmental Organisations.
The requirements are set out below:
1. You need a letter of recommendation written by Local Council One Chairperson (LC I). This must recommend the organization. On the same letter, the Chairman LC II, LC III and Resident District Commissioner (RDC) should each endorse their signatures and stamp. The organization can use the LC I from the area where it has its Headquarters.
2. The Organization should have written recommendation of two sureties or recommenders who should each write separately recommending the organization. Technical areas of activities need recommendation from the concerned line Ministry/Department.
3. The Organization should have a work plan of its activities to be carried out for the first year of the term of operation. The activities or work plan for the one year should have budget i.e. how much is to be spent on each of those activities (this is tentative budget). The budget should reflect source of funds and the work plan.
4. The organization should have two copies of the Constitution or by By-Laws or Rules and should have a provision in it specifying the purposes for which the funds are to be utilized.
5. The NGO should have an Organizational Chart/Administrative chart showing its leadership.
6. Every indigenous NGO is to pay Ug. Shs. 40,000/= registration fee.
7. Every organization is to fill Form A which should be duly completed and signed by at least two promoters. The names of the promoters should be printed in front of their signatures on the form. Promoters are the owners of the organization.
8. The Organization should bring all its papers/application on a Spring Manila File Cover.
9. On the cover of file, please print in Capital Letters the names of the organization, the address/Box number and telephone contacts in case you are required to appear before the NGO Board.
10. The organization should write a letter to the Secretary NGO Board specifying the area of their operation. This is what will be printed on the permit once granted.
11. Every organization should reserve its name with the Registrar General’s Office at the Ministry of Justice. This is done to make sure that no other organization will use your names or the name of the organization is free to be used by you. In case of subsequent change of names, a reservation must be done again.
12. If the organization has a Foreigner working with it or the Foreigner is coming to join them, the organization should read section 13 of Non-Governmental Act 2006 (amended) and the relevant Regulations.
13. A Foreigner coming to assist the organization by staying with it should bring his/her:
(a) Photocopies of his/her qualification papers.
(b) Present Immigration Status in the Country.
(c) A letter from his/her home Government that the subject has no criminal record i.e. he/she is of good conduct.
(d) A letter appointing the subject to the position he/she is going to occupy.
(e) All organizations seeking Entry Permits/Visas for foreigners on behalf of the NGO should get endorsement/recommendations from the NGO Board. This is to make sure that the Board/Secretariat is aware of such immigrants working with NGOs and the information of such immigrants is available on the NGOs File.
14. The NGO Board sits once every month. Any registering NGO should expect its Certificate of Incorporation after a month of lodging its papers. This is not always the case and there is often an applications back log and it’s not a guarantee that an application for registration will be completed in a month.
15. All Lawyers, consultants are advised to come with at least one of the officials of the organization being represented. The Secretariat will not welcome documents without their officials. Collection of Permits/Incorporation Certificates is by any official of the organization. Any other parties sent for that purpose should have authority letters from the organization.
16. Every Constitution must in addition to other requirements have a dissolution clause.
17. When an organization closes down (even temporarily) the NGO Board should be informed.
Requirements For Registration And An NGO Permit To Operate For An Indigenous NGO
An Indigenous NGO refers to an NGO that is wholly controlled by Ugandan citizens. For an organization to be registered as an Indigenous NGO, it should have first been incorporated by Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) prior to proceeding to the NGO Bureau for registration.
| No. | REQUIREMENTS |
| 1. | Filled Form A and Form D Both Forms shall be signed by at least two Founder members |
| 2. | A letter requesting for registration and a Permit to operate addressed to the Executive Director, NGO Bureau indicating; objectives, area of operation, number of years applied for not exceeding 5 (five). |
| 3. | A certified or notarized copy of the Certificate of Incorporation from Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). |
| 4. | Annual Work plan and budget for the number of years applied for the Permit |
| 5. | A copy of the registered Memorandum and Articles of Association, organization’s constitution or governing documents in which the dissolution clause should inter alia specify;i) Quorum to pass a resolution for winding upii) How organization assets shall be handled upon winding up |
| 6. | A chart showing the governance structure of the organization |
| 7. | Proof of payment of the prescribed fees for the Certificate of Registration and the Permit of Operation |
| 8. | A statement indicating the source of funding of the activities of the organization |
| 9. | Copies of valid identification documents (National ID or Passport) and passport size photographs of at least two founder members. |
| 10. | A copy of Minutes, Signed Attendance List and resolution registered with Uganda Registration Services Bureau authorizing the organization to register with the NGO Bureau |
| 11. | A statement complying with Section 45 of the NGO Act, 2016 (About staffing of the organization) |
| 12. | A recommendation from the District Non-Governmental Organizations Monitoring Committee (DNMC) where the Organization’s headquarter is located. |
| 13. | A recommendation from the responsible Ministry or Ministries, or a Government Department or Agency. |
How To Register International (Foreign) NGOs In Uganda?
1. A notarized recommendation letter from the home office from the country of origin where the organization is already in operation or from their embassy in Uganda is the promoters are already in Uganda.
2. A notarized letter from the headquarters of the organisation authorizing the opening of a branch in Uganda.
3. Recommendation from the diplomatic mission of Uganda in the country from which the organisation is originating.
4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Organisation and the relevant line Ministry in Uganda.
5. Photocopies of immigration status of the promoters.
6. Photocopies of qualification papers and evidence of work experience of volunteers coming to work in Uganda.
7. A certified notarized copy of the constitution of the organisation which should have been certified by the home office in the country of origin.
8. Curriculum Vitae of the promoters and expatriates working for the organisation in Uganda.
9. Certificates of good conduct from their government from their government for the people coming to work in Uganda.
10. Registration fees of USD$75
Requirements For Renewal Of Registration Certificates Of Both Uganda And Foreign NGOs
1. Application for Renewal Letter
2. A filled in Form ‘A’
3. A recommendation letter from the Resident District Commissioner from the area they were operating in to confirm their operations.
4. Annual Report
5. Financial Report (Audited Accounts)
6. Minutes of Annual General Meeting, plus the attendance signed by all people present.
7. A Work Plan and an itemized budget.
Fees To Register A Non Governmental Organization In Uganda
| 1. | Fees for a Certificate of Registration for an Indigenous Organization (Uganda Shillings) | 100,000 |
| 2. | Fees for NGO Permit of Operation for an Indigenous Organization per year (Uganda Shillings) | 60,000 |
How To Submit The Application
Submission of the application should be made to the NGO Bureau in hardcopy in a well labelled spring file. For ease of crosschecking and verification, documents in the spring file should be arranged according to the order in this table of requirements.