How to Register an NGO in Uganda

Introduction

Starting a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting social impact and drive meaningful change within communities.

However, before your NGO begins operations, it must be legally registered and permitted to operate in Uganda.

This guide breaks down the various types of NGOs you can set up in Uganda, the processes for registering them and obtaining operation permits for them.

Let’s get started.

For those seeking a concise overview, the following section provides a summary of the NGO registration process in Uganda

Quick Summary on how to Register an NGO in Uganda

To legally operate an NGO in Uganda, you must first incorporate it as a company limited by guarantee with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).

After incorporation, apply to the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations Bureau (NGO Bureau) for registration by completing Form A (for local NGOs) or Form N (for those incorporated outside Uganda), and attach the required documents such as the certificate of incorporation, constitution, governance structure, founders’ IDs, and recommendations from relevant authorities.

Once the Bureau verifies compliance, it issues a Certificate of Registration (Form B). Registration alone is not enough. Every NGO must also obtain an operational permit (Form D) from the Bureau before commencing activities. The entire process is overseen by the NGO Bureau under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with support from District and Sub-County NGO Monitoring Committees.

For a comprehensive understanding, the next sections outline the types, full legal and procedural requirements for NGO registration in Uganda.

And if you’re looking for information on how to register other organisations such as a labour union, there are separate legal procedures that apply.

Read on!

What is an Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)?

Section 2 of the NGO Act Cap 109 defines an NGO as a legally constituted non-governmental organisation which may be a private voluntary grouping of individuals or associations established to provide voluntary services to the community or any part, but not for profit or commercial purposes.

Types of NGOs

Provided for under section 2 of the NGO Act.

1.    Indigenous Organisations

This is an NGO that is wholly controlled by Ugandan citizens.

Key Features of Indigenous Organisations

• Must be fully owned and controlled by Ugandans (not partial ownership).
• Typically incorporated within Uganda.
• Operates locally but may have national scope.

2.    Community Based Organisations

These are organisations operating at a sub-county level or below, whose objectives are to promote the wellbeing of community members.

Key Features of Community Based Organisations

• Operates within one sub-county or parish (very local focus).
• Usually formed by community members for self-help or development initiatives.
• Registered with local authorities, though oversight still falls under the NGO Bureau.

3.    Regional Organisations

These are organisations incorporated in one or more Partner States of the East African Community (EAC), partially or wholly controlled by citizens of one or more EAC Partner States, and operating in Uganda under a permit from the Bureau.

Key Features of Regional Organisations

• Incorporated in an EAC member state (e.g., Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DR Congo).
• Controlled by EAC citizens.
• Must obtain a permit to operate in Uganda.

4.    Continental Organisations

These are organisations incorporated outside Uganda and East Africa but in any African country partially or wholly controlled by citizens in one or more of those African countries.

Key Features of Continental Organisations

• Incorporated in Africa but not in East Africa (e.g., Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt).
• Controlled by citizens of other African countries.
• Must be permitted by the NGO Bureau to operate in Uganda.

5.    International Organisations

These are organisations with original incorporation outside East Africa, partially or wholly controlled by citizens of non-East African countries, and operating in Uganda under a permit.

Key features of International Organisations

• Incorporated outside Africa or outside the EAC (e.g., USA, UK, France).
• Controlled by non-African or non-EAC citizens.
• Must have a permit to operate in Uganda.

6.    Foreign Organisations

These are organisations that do not have original incorporation in any country, and are partially or wholly controlled by citizens of other countries (not EAC),and operate in Uganda under a permit.

Key features of Foreign Organisations

• No incorporation in any country (e.g., registered only as an international entity).
• Controlled by non-East African citizens.
• Must hold a permit from the NGO Bureau.

Overview Of The Regulatory Structure for NGOs in Uganda

• Ministry of Internal Affairs – Ministry responsible for matters concerning NGOs.
• Adjudication Committee – section 51, handles appeals by persons aggrieved by decisions of the Bureau.
• National Bureau of NGOs – section 4, generally responsible for overseeing activities of NGOs, registering and issuing permits, and maintaining a register for NGOs.
• District NGO Monitoring Committees – section 18(4), generally oversees matters relating to registration, supervising and monitoring of community-based organisations and offering recommendations to the Bureau for registration of organisations.
• Sub-county NGO Monitoring Committees – section 19(3), monitors, supervises and provides information to the District NGO monitoring committee about activities of organisations in the sub county and recommends community-based organisations to the District NGO Monitoring Committee for registration.

Registration of NGOs

Section 27(1) NGO Act provides that all organisations must register with the NGO Bureau.

According to Regulation 3(2) NGO Regulations application is to be made in the format of FORM A of the schedule to the regulations.

Per Regulation 4(3) of the NGO Regulations, this application must be accompanied by signatures of at least two founder members of the organisation to be registered.

NB: Regulation 4(2) NGO Regulations provides that the conditions laid out in regulations 3 and 4 only apply to the registration of indigenous and foreign NGOs.

Step-by-Step Procedure For Registering An NGO in Uganda

Step 1: Incorporation of a company Limited by Guarantee

Incorporate the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) as a company limited by guarantee with the Registrar of Companies under the Companies Act through the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to obtain corporate status

Step 2: Completion of the Application Form

Filling in FORM A (NGO Regulations, regulation 3).

Step 3: Submission of the Application

Submit the duly completed Form A together with all required supporting documents (as provided under Section 27(2) of the NGO Act and Regulation 4) to the Executive Director of the NGO Bureau.
(Refer to the next section, “Required Documents,” for a detailed list of the necessary attachments.)

Step 4: Issuance of the Certificate of Registration

According to Regulation 5, where the organization complies with the conditions laid out in regulation 4(1) the Bureau issues a certificate of registration (FORM B).

Documents Required

Provided for under section 27(2) of the NGO Act and regulation 4 of the NGO Regulations.

• FORM A
• Certificate of incorporation
• Organisation’s Constitution or documents showing the governance structure
• Evidence of payment of the prescribed fees
• Chart showing the governance structure of the organization
• Source of funding of the activities of the organization
• Copies of valid identification document for at least two founder members
• Minutes and resolutions of the members authorizing the organisation to register with the Bureau
• a statement complying with section 43 of the Act
• a recommendation from the District Non- Governmental Organisations Monitoring Committee where the headquarters are located and the responsible ministry or ministries or a government department or agency.

Registration of NGOs Incorporated Outside Uganda

According to section 32 NGO Act, any organisation which was incorporated outside Uganda but intends to operate in Uganda must apply to the Bureau to be registered and be issued with a permit. 

Regulation 17 – Application to be in FORM N.

Documents Required

Provided for under regulation 17(3) of the NGO regulations.

• FORM N
• Certified copy of certificate of incorporation from the country of incorporation
• Certified copy of the organisation’s constitution, or charter or documents governing the organisation
• certified copy of resolution authorising registration in Uganda
• certificate of good conduct of the signatories to the resolution mentioned above or at least two board members of the organisation
• CVs of at least two board members of the organisation
• Recommendation from their government or missions accredited to Uganda
• a recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Uganda
• a chart showing the organisational structure of the NGO as stipulated in its governing documents
• a copy of a valid identification document for at least two board members
• a work plan and budget or strategic plan for the organisation
• Evidence of payment of a prescribed fee

Procedure For Registering an NGO Incorporated Outside Uganda

• Filling in FORM N (NGO Regulations, regulation 17).
• Accompanying the application (FORM N) with necessary documents in regulation 17(3) and sending it to the Executive Director of the NGO Bureau.
• According to Regulation 5, where the organization complies with the conditions laid out in the Act, the Bureau issues a certificate of registration (FORM B).

Grounds for Refusal to Register an NGO

Provided for under section 28 of the NGO Act.

• The organisation’s constitution/activities not complying with laws of Uganda
• Not fulfilling the required registration requirements under the NGO Act.
• Applicant giving false or misleading information.

According to section 28(2) of the NGO Act, where the Bureau refuses to register an organisation, it must give its reasons for refusal in 30 days. See regulation 6 NGO Regulations (FORM C).

De-registration of an already registered NGO

A registered organisation is considered registered until it is de-registered in accordance with section 27(4) of the NGO Act which can happen through;

• Voluntary de-registration
• Cancellation of registration
• Winding up or dissolution of the organisation. Section 46 of the NGO Act provides that dissolution of an NGO may either be voluntary (section 47) or by order of court (section 48).

Application for Permits for NGOs

It is a must for NGOs to register with the Bureau and thereafter apply for permits before carrying out any operations.

Section 29 of the NGO Act requires all organizations in Uganda to obtain a valid permit from the Bureau before operating. Furthermore, regulation 7 of the NGO Regulations provides that upon registration, an organisation must apply to the Bureau for a permit.

This also includes organisations incorporated under the Trustees Incorporation Act, Cap 271 and the Companies Act Cap 106, as stated in section 29(2) and those incorporated outside Uganda per regulation 18(1) NGO Regulations.

Documents Required

• FORM D which provides for information including the name of the registered organisation, reg number, physical address, list of operations, geographical area of coverage.

Procedure For Applying For a Permit

• Regulation 7(2) of the NGO Regulations provides that applications for a permit must be submitted using FORM D.
• According to Section 29(3), the Bureau is required to issue the permit within 45 days if the organization fulfills the required conditions in the format of FORM E.  The permit will specify the duration of operation, which cannot exceed five years.

Payable Fees

When registering and operating an NGO in Uganda, it is important to budget for the statutory fees set by the National Bureau for NGOs under as prescribed under The Non-Governmental Organisations (Fees) Regulations, 2017.

The fees vary depending on the type of organization and the service required.

Below is a detailed breakdown (in Ugandan Shillings, UGX):

Item / Service	Fees (UGX)
1. Application for registration of an Indigenous Organisation	100,000
2. Application for registration of a Foreign Organisation	520,000
3. Application for registration of a Continental Organisation	260,000
4. Application for registration of a Regional Organisation	100,000
5. Application for registration of an International Organisation	800,000
6. Issuance/renewal of permit for Indigenous, Community-Based, or Regional Organisations (annually)	60,000
7. Issuance/renewal of permit for Continental, Foreign, or International Organisations (annually)	400,000
8. Application to review conditions of a permit	60,000
9. Request for substitute certificate of registration, permit, or any document in the register	60,000
10. Request for certified copy of a certificate, permit, or any document (per copy)	25,000
11. Application for registration of a Community-Based Organisation (CBO)	40,000
12. Application for registration of a Self-Regulatory Organisation	60,000
13. Filing annual returns for organisations other than CBOs	50,000
14. Filing annual returns for CBOs	40,000
15. Fees for an inspection report	50,000
16. Application for search of the register and search report	20,000

Conclusion

Registering an NGO in Uganda can seem complicated but with the right guidance, the process becomes easy and straightforward.

Whether you’re starting a community-based initiative or expanding the reach of your international organisation within Uganda, compliance with the necessary laws is crucial to operate legally and effectively.

Need help registering your NGO?
Our legal and compliance team specialises in guiding individuals, groups, and organisations through every step of the NGO registration process. From incorporation to securing your operating permit. Contact us and we’ll be able to support you effectively.