Police raid offices of civil society organisations

Police officers search Action Aid offices in Kasanga, Kampala.PHOTO BY ALEX ESAGALA

Police on Thursday surrounded the headquarters of Action Aid Uganda, in Kansanga near Kampala, where they conducted a cordon and search operation.

An employee of the global organisation that works to further human rights and defeat poverty for all, told Daily Monitor that the cops cordoned off the offices and about two hours ago and ordered all staff members not to move outside the compound.

“We are allowed to move within the compound but nobody is allowed beyond the main gate,” an employee who asked for anonymity because of t

A police officer loads documents and other items that were picked from Action Aid Uganda offices onto a truck. PHOTO BY ALEX ESAGALA

he sensitivity of the matter said.

He said about 15 police officers have taken positions inside the main office block and other offices

Daily Monitor has learnt that moments ago, police officers started searching the finance director’s office in the company of the organisation's human resources manager.

A source said other police officers have recorded names and titles of all staff members.

Daily Monitor has seen a copy of a search warrant authorising D/AIP Henry Peter Walya to access Action Aid Uganda offices.

The warrant was issued on Wednesday and signed by Juliet Nakitende, a Magistrate at Makindye Magistrates Court.

The police, according to the warrant, were supposed to access computer accessories (electronics), mobile handsets, money transfer related documents and bank related transaction documents.

Reports indicate that another organisation's, Great Lakes Initiative for Strategic Studies (GLISS) are being searched by police now.