The National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Bureau) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs has said Maya Project Uganda Chapter, an organization under spotlight for alleged trafficking, is nota registered NGO.
NGO Bureau is mandated to register, regulate, monitor, inspect, coordinate and oversee all NGO operations in the country.
“Equally, all stakeholders and the general public are hereby requested to desist engaging with NGOs that are not registered with the NGO Bureau and are therefore operating illegally,” reads part of the statement signed by NGO Bureau Executive Director Stephen Okello.
On Tuesday, July 20th, 2020, media was awash with an incident where Uganda Police rescued 14 girls from a guest house in Muyenga, Makindye Division in Kampala. The girls were allegedly going to be trafficked through an alleged Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO) Maya Project Uganda Chapter.
“The National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations unequivocally condemns the undertakings of the organisation and informs its stakeholders and the general public that Maya Project Uganda Chapter is NOT a registered NGO with the NGO Bureau.”
The Kampala Metropolitan deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Oweyisigire was quoted by media saying: “The 14 girls only between the ages of 4-19 years were allegedly being trafficked by Ndagire Dorothy 27, a resident of Kawala Central Zone in Rubaga division through her NGO called ‘Maya project Uganda chapter’ with partners allegedly based in London.”
He added that one person, Dorothy Ndagire, 27, had since been arrested and charged with trafficking in persons.
However, the NGO Bureau applauded the contribution of genuine organisations and urged all NGOs to ensure that they are operating within the ambit of the law and relevant regulations.