The Ministry of Internal Affairs has downsized the staff of the Non Government Organizations (NGO) Bureau from 42 to 12 following its recent dissolution.

On September 27th this year, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire signed a Statutory Instrument 2024 Number 73, officially dissolving the NGO Bureau as a semi-autonomous entity.

The statutory instrument, signed in accordance with section one of the Non-Governmental Organizations Act, effectively transitions the Bureau to departmental status within the ministry.

Simon Peter Mundeyi, the Internal Affairs Ministry Spokesperson says among the 12 staff retained is Stephen Okello, who is appointed as the Commissioner and Martha Owundo as the Assistant Commissioner for NGO Department.

He says that restructuring is part of a broader initiative by the Ugandan Government to streamline Agencies, Ministries, and Departments to cut costs and improve efficiency.

Earlier this year, Members of Parliament highlighted the financial benefits of dissolving the NGO Board, stating that the move could save the Government approximately Shs1.1 billion annually.

By Ben Musanje

7th October 2024

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