On Wednesday this month, ambiguous news hit the airwaves via different media platforms indicating that the president of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had suspended the operations of Democratic Governance Facility in the country.
In the letter dated 2nd January 2021, Museveni directed the minister of finance Matia Kasaija to suspend the DGF fund worth £100M until it has been fully reviewed by cabinet. He also directed the IG, IGP, DPP and Anti-corruption unit to fully investigate the matter.
Basing on that development, the Uganda Civil Society Leaders came out to condemn the move made by the government of Uganda, because they see it as the government is trying to divert it’s citizens from the issues that pertaining them or deliberately keeping them under ignorance.
In the press conference they held Royal Suites Bugolobi on Friday 05, February, 2021, the Civil Society leaders stated that they believe President Museveni is trying to divert Ugandans and International community from the most fraudent electoral process.
“We believe that President Museveni is trying all manner of actions to divert the Uganda public and the international community from one of the fraudulent electoral process which culminated into disputed election on 14, January 2021.” A press statement reads in part.
Henry A Muguzi, Executive Director of Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), says that government is using DGF suspension to divert Ugandans, but he asked them not to be shaken.
“A lot of households are in grieves, sorrows because of their missing persons, many are in jail, others we don’t know their whereabouts, the country is bleeding. The government is making attacks on its citizens.” Furious Muguzi asserts.
“We all know it’s government’s responsibility to civic educate it’s people, but since 1995, they have been negligent. DGF , one of things they invest in is educating Ugandans, so this is a real attack on Ugandans, who need to stand.
Margret Ssekaggya, the Executive director, Human Rights Centre Uganda, is saying that the government has put Ugandans in forced silence amidst increased injustices in the country.
“We are a country in a forced silence without justice…, we call upon all Ugandans to remain steadfast and committed to engaging in the ongoing protracted struggle to regain and restore our constitutional order.“
If the president doesn’t change in the directive he made against funds from DGF, over 95 NGOs and 10000 Ugandans are likely to lose their jobs.
DGF has been funding activities in Uganda both for state and non state actors for at least a decade.