There is a persistent lack of trust between Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and regulators, according to the Defenders Protection Initiative, a local thinktank.

It attributed the state of affairs to lack of clear coordination and communication between the two parties.

“There should be coordination between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and regulators, as a way of boosting civic space in the country,” said officials.

This was during a recent Talk to Your Regulator’ Symposium held in Kampala.

The symposium was attended by civil society activists, as well as regulators such as the Uganda Registration Service Bureau(URSB), The NGO Bureau, the Financial Intelligence Authority, the Kampala Capital City Authority, the National Social Security Fund, the Uganda Revenue Authority, and the district NGO monitoring Committees among others.

Yona Wanjala, the Executive Director of the Defenders Protection Initiative, said that there is a need for an independent platform for civil societies to communicate with regulators regarding key aspects of the regulatory landscape in the country.

“Such a platform would address compliance obligations, and foster trust and transparency between the two parties,” he said.

James Nkuubi a researcher from the Network of Public Interest Lawyers stated that the research conducted in the 9 regions of the country also revealed the lack of feedback from FIA and challenges related to district monitoring of NGO committees.

“There has been friction between NGOs and the regulators based on perceptions or misperceptions and mistrust,” he said, adding that trust can illuminate or ferment compliance, since people can choose to comply or keep away.

“There is no doubt that NGOs can voluntarily comply when it trusts the regulators,” he said.

Razarus Mukasa, the Director of Monitoring and Analysis at the Financial Intelligence Authority said that in terms of compliance as a sector, there are varied indications that NGOs are doing well in in many fields

He denied allegations that FIA is targeting Muslim-led organizations, adding that no NGO had been sanctioned.