The Board of Directors of the National Bureau for Non Governmental Organisations

The Bureau has a board of directors as its governing body, appointed by the minister with the approval of cabinet. The board is constituted of a chairperson, vice chair person, two representatives from the Non Governmental Organisations Sector and three other persons who must be citizens of Uganda, and of high moral character with proven integrity. The board has committees and sub committees that may be assigned functions for efficient performance of its functions.

The bureau also has management staff like the executive director, secretary and other staff. The Board members tenure is for only 3 years and are eligible for re election for another term.

Functions of the board include;

• Overseeing implementation of the Bureau’s policies and programmes in the NGO sector.
• Reviewing and approving strategic plans of the bureau.
• Reviewing and approving annual plans and budget of the Bureau.
• Approving annual reports and accounts of the Bureau.
• Establishing and approving rules and procedures for proper financial management and accountability of the Bureau.
• Determining and reviewing structure and staffing levels.
• Appointing staff of the Bureau.
• Establishing and approving rules and procedures for appointment, discipline, termination of services and general personnel matters.
• Determining and reviewing terms and conditions of service of the staff of the bureau.
• Etc

Remuneration of the Board members is by Ministry of finance. The board has powers to establish committees and sub committees and delegate them functions for efficient performance of the boards work. Members of these committees may be from within the board itself.

Registration of Non-Governmental Organisations in Uganda

Applications are made to the National Bureau of Non-Governmental Organisations.

This application form is addressed to the Secretary of the Bureau and contains the following;

• Name of the Organization.
• Country of origin.
• Proposed physical address.
• Particulars of any affiliated organization whether within or outside Uganda.
• Objects of the organization.
• Classes of persons to whom the organization is open.
• The present number of members.
• Tittles of officers of the organization.
• Names, occupations, and addresses of present or proposed officers of the organization.
• Sources of funding.
• Property (if any) and the manner in which it is held, acquired or vested.
• Bankers of the organization.
• Any privileges, immunities, or exemptions requested by the organization from the government.
• Names, signatures, and passport size photographs of the promoters.
• The form must be dated.

This form must be accompanied by

1. A certificate of incorporation (this applies where the organization is an already legally registered entity e.g. a company limited by guarantee).
2. A copy of the organization’s constitution.
3. A specification of the area of the intended operation of the organization i.e. the geographical area, the field of operation e.g. health, education, gender, and sexuality, etc
4. A valid reservation of the organization’s name by the registrar of companies.
5. A chart showing the organizational structure of the organization.
6. A work plan and budget for the 1^st year of operation.
7. Payment receipts for registration fees.
8. For local/indigenous organizations (NGOs wholly controlled by Ugandan citizens), they must additionally have ;

• A written recommendation to the Bureau by two sureties.
• A written recommendation by the Senior Assistant Secretary (chairperson) of the SNMC of the area where the organization intends to operate.
• A written recommendation by the RDC.
• Where the organization intends to operate throughout Uganda, a written recommendation by at least two of the above.

Upon compliance with the above requirements, the Bureau then registers the Organization and is issued a certificate of registration as NGO with a registration Name, Number, and date.

Once an organization is registered, it remains so registered unless its registration is canceled, voluntarily deregistered, or if it is wound up.