Under the NGO Act 2016, it is a requirement that before registering an NGO, the organisation must first be incorporated as a company limited by guarantee (non-profit). This makes it important for individuals and groups that seek to formalise their operations to know about the legal requirements, procedures and key obligations.

Chapter Four Uganda has developed the CSO guidelines for Uganda (download) highlighting key issues for civil society organisations in Uganda. The easy-to-read outline format enhanced with illustrations is designed to help the reader to understand in a simplified manner.

It is hoped that the guide will help give a better understanding of the requirements for incorporation and the procedure of incorporating a company limited by guarantee at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). The guide further provides for key obligations to be met by the company after incorporation and important legal requirements for Community Based Organisations (CBOs).

It should be noted that the guide is not a law but rather a simplification of parts of the law highliting the frequently asked questions. We encourage users to read the actual laws for more details.

We hope that CSOs operating in Uganda and groups that seek to formalise their operations will find the publication useful and that it will help guide them through the key requirements, processes and obligations established under the law.