Have been wondering how to register an NGO in Uganda? The Non-Governmental Organisations Act 2016 requires the NGO Bureau to register and maintain an up-to-date record of all NGOs operating in Uganda. When registering a new NGO in Uganda, the interested party is required to get a Certificate of Registration from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and a Permit of Operation.

The Incorporation certificate is issued only once, while the Permit of Operation is granted for one (1) to five (5) years per the organisation’s requirement. Uganda’s NGOs are registered under five categories:

• Indigenous
• Regional
• Continental
• Foreign
• International.

Registering an NGO in Uganda with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)

To establish an NGO in Uganda, you must first register with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).

Once your company name is approved, you can download the required company forms from the URSB website: https://ursb.go.ug/business-registrationforms/. These forms include Form 20 for Appointing Directors and Secretaries. Form 18 for the company’s address, and Memorandum & Articles of Association. Additionally, you must attach a copy of a valid ID and a photograph of your passport for each subscriber.

After you have filled out the forms, you can scan them and submit them along with proof of payment to the link: https://ursb.go.ug/registrations/.

It Is Mandatory to obtain a copy of the certificate of incorporation before proceeding with registration.

To avoid the daunting paperwork, engage a business consultant like Afrilink Consultants to help you perform a self-assessment.

Requirements to register and obtain a permit to operate as a local NGO in Uganda

A local NGO is a non-governmental organisation owned and operated by Ugandan citizens. To be recognised as an Indigenous NGO, URSB) must have incorporated the organisation before registering with the NGO Bureau.

How to register an Indigenous NGO in Uganda

1. Fill out Form A and D and ensure that both are signed by at least two founder members.
2. Write a letter addressed to the Executive Director of the NGO Bureau, requesting registration and a permit to operate. Include your organisation’s objectives, area of operation, and the number of years you are applying for (maximum of 5).
3. Provide a certified or notarised copy of the Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
4. Submit an annual work plan and budget for the years you have applied for the Permit.
5. Provide a copy of the registered Memorandum and Articles of Association, constitution, or governing documents. Ensure that the dissolution clause specifies the quorum to pass a resolution for winding up. Also, indicate how the organisation’s assets will be handled upon winding up.
6. A chart showing your organisation’s governance structure is required.
7. Proof of payment of the prescribed fees for the Certificate of Registration and the Permit of Operation is mandatory.
8. A statement indicating the funding source for your organisation’s activities is required.
9. Copies of valid identification documents (National ID or Passport) and passport-size photographs of at least two founder members must be submitted.
10. A copy of the minutes, signed attendance list, and resolution registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau authorising the organisation to register with the NGO Bureau is required.
11. Your organisation must comply with Section 45 of the NGO Act, 2016, concerning staffing.
12. A recommendation from the District Non-Governmental Organisations Monitoring Committee (DNMC), where the organisation’s headquarters is located, is mandatory.
13. A recommendation from the responsible Ministry or Ministries, or a Government Department or Agency is required.
14. New NGOs must submit a copy of the certificate from the Data Protection Office within one month of picking up their operation permits.

Requirements for registering a Regional NGO in Uganda

A Regional Organisation refers to a group incorporated in one or more partner states of the East African Community and is partially or entirely controlled by citizens of those states. Such an organisation operates in Uganda under the authority of a permit issued by the NGO Bureau.

To register a Regional NGO, you will need to fill out either Form A (for organisations incorporated in Uganda) or Form N (for organisations incorporated outside Uganda but within the East African Community Partner States), as well as Form D. All forms must be signed by at least two Founder members.

Additionally, you will need to provide the following:

1. A letter requesting registration and a permit to operate, addressed to the Executive Director, NGO Bureau, including objectives, area of operation, and the number of years applied for, at most five (5).
2. A certified or notarised copy of the Certificate of Incorporation from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) or an equivalent from the country of Incorporation.
3. An annual work plan and budget for the number of years for the Permit.
4. A copy of the registered Memorandum and Articles of Association, the organisation’s constitution, or governing documents, including a dissolution clause specifying the quorum to pass a resolution for winding up and how the organisation’s assets will be handled upon winding up.
5. A chart showing the governance structure of the organisation.
6. Proof of payment of the prescribed fees for the Certificate of Registration and the Permit of Operation.
7. A statement indicating the source of funding for the organisation’s activities.
8. Copies of valid identification documents (National ID or Passport) and passport-size photographs of at least two founder members.
9. A copy of minutes, a signed attendance list, and a resolution registered with Uganda Registration Services Bureau authorising the organisation to register with the NGO Bureau.
10. A statement complying with Section 45 of the NGO Act, 2016 (about staffing of the organisation).
11. A recommendation from the District Non-Governmental Organisations Monitoring Committee (DNMC), where the organisation’s headquarters is located.
12. A recommendation from the responsible Ministry or Ministries, or a Government Department or Agency.

New NGOs are given one month after they pick up their permits to submit a copy of the certificate from the Data Protection Office.

How to register a Continental NGO in Uganda

A Continental NGO is an organisation that is incorporated in any African country outside the East African Community and is either partially or wholly controlled by citizens of one or more African countries, excluding the partner states of the East African Community.

Requirements for registering a continental NGO in Uganda

1. Fill out either Form A (for organisations incorporated in Uganda) or Form N (for organisations incorporated outside the East African Community Partner States but within Africa), as well as Form D. Both forms must be signed by at least two founder members.
2. Write a letter addressed to the Executive Director of the NGO Bureau, requesting registration and a permit to operate. The note should state your organisation’s objectives, area of operation, and the number of years you are applying for (not exceeding 5).
3. Provide a certified copy of your Certificate of Incorporation from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) or its equivalent from your country of Incorporation.
4. Submit an annual work plan and budget for the years you are applying for the Permit.
5. Provide a certificate of good conduct for each signatory to the resolution or at least two board members of your organisation.
6. Include the curriculum vitae of at least two board members of your organisation.
7. Provide a certified copy of your organisation’s Constitution, Charter, Memorandum Articles of Association, or any other documents governing your organisation. The dissolution clause should specify, among other things, a quorum to pass a resolution for winding up and how the organisation’s assets shall be handled upon winding up.
8. Provide a chart showing the governance structure of your organisation.
9. Provide proof of payment of the prescribed fees for the Certificate of Registration and Permit of Operation.
10. Include a statement indicating the funding source for your organisation’s activities.
11. Provide copies of valid identification documents (National ID or Passport) and passport-size photographs of at least two founder members.
12. Provide a copy of the minutes, signed attendance list, and resolution registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau authorising the organisation to register with the NGO Bureau.
13. Include a statement complying with Section 45 of the NGO Act, 2016 (about staffing of the organisation).
14. Provide a recommendation from the District Non-Governmental Organisations Monitoring Committee (DNMC) where your organisation’s headquarters is located.
15. Provide a recommendation from the line Ministry or Ministries, or Government department or Agency.
16. Provide a recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda.
17. Provide a recommendation from the Government or Mission accredited to Uganda.

New NGOs have one month from the date they pick up their operation permits to submit a copy of the certificate from the Data Protection Office.

How to register a Foreign NGO in Uganda

A Foreign NGO is an organisation that operates in Uganda under the authority of a permit issued by the NGO Bureau and is partially or wholly controlled by citizens of other countries who are not citizens of the Partner States of the East African Community. This organisation has not been initially incorporated in any nation.

Requirements for registering a foreign NGO in Uganda

1. Fill out Form A (for organisations incorporated in Uganda) or Form N (for organisations incorporated outside Africa) and Form D. These forms must be signed by at least two founder members.
2. Write a letter requesting registration and a permit to operate, addressed to the Executive Director of the NGO Bureau. The letter should indicate the objectives, area of operation, and number of years applied for, not exceeding five (5).
3. Provide a certified or notarised copy of the Certificate of Incorporation from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) or the equivalent from the country of Incorporation.
4. Submit an annual work plan and budget for the years applied for the Permit.
5. Provide a certificate of good conduct for each signatory to the resolution or at least two board members of the organisation.
6. Submit the curriculum vitae of at least two board members of the organisation.
7. Provide a certified copy of the organisation’s Constitution, Charter, Memorandum, Articles of Association, or any other documents governing the organisation. The dissolution clause should specify, among other things, the quorum to pass a resolution for winding up and how the organisation’s assets shall be handled upon winding up.
8. Submit a chart showing the governance structure of the organisation.
9. Pay the prescribed fees for the Certificate of Registration and Permit of Operation and provide proof of payment.
10. Provide a statement indicating the funding source for the organisation’s activities.
11. Submit copies of valid identification documents (National ID or Passport) and passport-size photographs of at least two founder members.
12. Submit a copy of the minutes, a signed attendance list, and a resolution registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau authorising the organisation to register with the NGO Bureau.
13. Provide a statement complying with Section 45 of the NGO Act, 2016 (about staffing of the organisation).
14. Obtain a recommendation from the District Non-Governmental Organisations Monitoring Committee (DNMC), where the organisation’s headquarters is located.
15. Obtain a recommendation from the line Ministry, Ministries, Government department, or Agency.
16. Obtain a recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda.
17. Obtain a recommendation from the Government or Mission accredited to Uganda.

Requirements for registration of an International NGO in Uganda

An International Organisation is an organisation that is initially incorporated in a country other than the partner States of the East African Community. The organisation is partially or wholly controlled by citizens of one or more countries other than the citizens of the partner States of the East African Community. An International organisation operates in Uganda under the authority of a permit issued by the NGO Bureau.

Registering an International NGO in Uganda

1. Fill out Form A (for organisations incorporated in Uganda) or Form N (for organisations incorporated outside Africa) and Form D. These forms must be signed by at least two founder members.
2. Write a letter requesting registration and a permit to operate, addressed to the Executive Director of the NGO Bureau. The letter should indicate the objectives, area of operation, and number of years applied for, not exceeding five (5).
3. Provide a certified or notarised copy of the Certificate of Incorporation from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) or the equivalent from the country of Incorporation.
4. Submit an annual work plan and budget for the years applied for the Permit.
5. Provide a certificate of good conduct for each signatory to the resolution or at least two board members of the organisation.
6. Submit the curriculum vitae of at least two board members of the organisation.
7. Provide a certified copy of the organisation’s Constitution, Charter, Memorandum, Articles of Association, or any other documents governing the organisation. The dissolution clause should specify, among other things, the quorum to pass a resolution for winding up and how the organisation’s assets shall be handled upon winding up.
8. Submit a chart showing the governance structure of the organisation.
9. Pay the prescribed fees for the Certificate of Registration and Permit of Operation and provide proof of payment.
10. Provide a statement indicating the funding source for the organisation’s activities.
11. Submit copies of valid identification documents (National ID or Passport) and passport-size photographs of at least two founder members.
12. Submit a copy of the minutes, a signed attendance list, and a resolution registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau authorising the organisation to register with the NGO Bureau.
13. Provide a statement complying with Section 45 of the NGO Act, 2016 (about staffing of the organisation).
14. Obtain a recommendation from the District Non-Governmental Organisations Monitoring Committee (DNMC), where the organisation’s headquarters is located.
15. Obtain a recommendation from the line Ministry, Ministries, Government department, or Agency.
16. Obtain a recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda.
17. Obtain a recommendation from the Government or Mission accredited to Uganda.

P.S. New NGOs have one month from the date they pick up their operation permits to submit a copy of the certificate from the Data Protection Office.

Conclusion

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