FATF’s Recommendation 8 – What NGOs in Uganda need to know

In recent years, non-profit organisations (NPOs) around the world have faced operational and legal restrictions due to counter-terrorism regulations. For example, banks have blocked or closed accounts of organisations working in conflict zones; laws have been enacted to restrict foreign funding or to introduce burdensome governance and audit requirements; human rights defenders have been prosecuted, and the right to protest has been limited. This has had a negative effect on NPOs’ abilities to implement activities and protect the needs of beneficiaries, especially in crisis or conflict areas.

For example, banks have blocked or closed accounts of organisations working in conflict zones; laws have been enacted to restrict foreign funding or to introduce burdensome governance and audit requirements; human rights defenders have been prosecuted, and the right to protest has been limited. This has had a negative effect on NPOs’ abilities to implement activities and protect the needs of beneficiaries, especially in crisis or conflict areas.

This video provides a basic overview of Recommendation 8 (R8) and highlights the likely effects on civic space in Uganda. R8 sets out a broad requirement to regulate the non-profit sector as a whole for greater transparency and accountability. This has had numerous unintended consequences for non-profit organisations, not least the difficulties faced in accessing and distributing financial resources, cumbersome registering and licensing laws, and increased state surveillance and regulation.