The Heart of a Civil Society

Society cannot exist without law. Law is the bond of society: that which makes it, that which preserves it and keeps it together. It is, in fact, the essence of civil society. Joseph P. Bradley

At 8:30 am, I arrived at Naguru Skyz hotel, the venue for the context meeting organized by Defenders Protection Initiative (DPI) and CivSource Africa (CSA). I was very expectant and excited about the discussion concerning Uganda’s retention on the FATF Grey list and its implication on the NGO sector.  

To be honest, before this meeting, I knew very little about the extent of the impact this can have on the ordinary Ugandan.   Participants trickled in and we finally began deliberations at 10:20 am. Before the meeting, participants in small groups were seen to be engrossed in deep discussions as they waited for the other participants to arrive. What was interesting was the natural selection of seats as males and females sat in opposite spaces with just a handful mingling.

The meeting, which was lively, participatory, and informative was also laced with uncertainty and suspicion surrounding the integrity of the regulatory bodies, government, and other duty bearers. Heavy questions were appropriately directed to the representative of the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) and the Uganda Bankers Association (UBA), as the most pressing issues affecting NGOs, NPOs, and other Civil Society Organizations, fall within their dockets.  The panel was also graced with a representative from the Uganda Law Society (ULS), who illuminated more on the role of ULS and the interactions with AMLA within the context of its implementation and adequacy.

The meeting ended at 1:36 pm with a caution to always document and a promise of other similar conversations. I left with great insight, information and education.

Justice is itself the great standing policy of civil society; and any eminent departure from it, under any circumstances, lies under the suspicion of being no policy at all. Edmund Burke

Context Conversation Participant.

Naguru Skyz Hotel 30th August 2022