A Ugandan human rights organisation that supports LGBTQ+ people has been ordered to suspend operations by the government just days before the country’s general election.
Chapter Four Uganda, an organisation dedicated to protecting civil liberties and promoting human rights — including LGBTQ+ rights — had its operating permit suspended with immediate effect by the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations, which sits under the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The suspension came shortly before the election in which long‑time president Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, was declared the winner with 72 per cent of the vote. The election was widely criticised, with Museveni’s main challenger Bobi Wine alleging “fake results” and “ballot stuffing”, and reports of election‑related violence emerging across the country.
“Vague Allegations” and Immediate Closure
Chapter Four was one of several civil society organisations affected by permit suspensions in the days leading up to the vote. The Bureau cited alleged “intelligence information” claiming the organisation had engaged in activities “prejudicial to the security and laws of Uganda”, a violation of Article 42(d) of the Non‑Governmental Organisations Act.
In a statement, Chapter Four said it was deeply concerned by the decision.
“The suspension is based on vague allegations that we engaged in activities that are prejudicial to the security and laws of Uganda,” the organisation said.
“As a law‑abiding organisation, we have closed our offices and temporarily suspended our operations. We regret any inconvenience this causes to our partners and the community of beneficiaries.”
The organisation said it considers the suspension unjustified and is pursuing all available legal and administrative avenues to restore its operational status.
A Decade of Human Rights Work
Chapter Four emphasised that it has operated transparently for more than a decade, working through courts, Parliament, and local communities.
“We have worked to protect and promote human rights, advance access to justice, and strengthen the rule of law — fostering fairer societies for all,” the statement said.
It added that the organisation remains committed to working with Ugandan authorities and upholding the principles enshrined in the country’s 1995 Constitution.
Heightened Fears for LGBTQ+ Communities
The suspension has raised serious concerns for LGBTQ+ people in Uganda, who already face extreme legal and social risks following the passage of the Anti‑Homosexuality Act — one of the harshest anti‑LGBTQ+ laws in the world.
Under the legislation:
- Same‑sex sexual activity remains punishable by life imprisonment
- “Aggravated homosexuality” carries the death penalty
- “Attempted homosexuality” can result in up to 10 years in prison
- “Attempted aggravated homosexuality” carries sentences of up to 14 years
The law also criminalises discussion of LGBTQ+ topics and removes consent as a defence in certain cases classified as “aggravated”.
International Condemnation
Condemning the suspension, Kechukwu Uzoma, senior staff attorney at the Kennedy Human Rights Centre, warned of the broader democratic implications.
“The weaponisation of vague laws and attacks on the right to freedom of association during electoral periods directly violate the right to vote,” Uzoma said.
“Such repressive actions undermine the integrity of elections and weaken democracy at its core. All stakeholders, including the African Union, must act now.”
As Uganda enters another contested political chapter, advocates warn that the silencing of civil society groups like Chapter Four signals an increasingly hostile environment for human rights — particularly for LGBTQ+ Ugandans.
