Public registers and formal searches
Search for an organisation
You can check whether an NGO or CBO is lawfully registered in two ways. Free online searches against the public registers give you an instant answer. If you need certified documents or a formal written response as evidence, you can make a paid formal search.
Who this page is for
This page is for anyone who needs to verify an organisation's registration status or obtain certified documents - whether you are a donor, a journalist, a court officer, a government agency, or a member of the public.
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Free online searches
The Bureau maintains two public registers that anyone can search for free, instantly, without creating an account. They are updated as registrations and permit renewals are processed.
What you can find in a free search
- Confirm whether an organisation is currently registered.
- Check whether a permit is valid and has not expired.
- See the registered category of an NGO (indigenous, regional, continental, foreign, or international).
- Confirm which areas of operation the permit covers.
- Verify the organisation's registered name and any trading name.
The NGO Register covers organisations registered by the Bureau under the NGO Act 2016. The CBO Register covers community-based organisations registered at district level by District NGO Monitoring Committees (DNMCs).
NGO Register
Search the NGO Register
Organisations registered by the Bureau, including all five categories: indigenous, regional, continental, foreign, and international.
Open the NGO RegisterCBO Register
Search the CBO Register
Community-based organisations registered at district level by the DNMC across all regions of Uganda.
Open the CBO RegisterReading the register
Both registers show every organisation on record, not only those in good standing, so you can always find the one you are looking for. The status tells you whether it may currently operate:
- Active - holds a valid permit and may operate.
- Suspended - registered, but barred from operating while a matter is resolved.
- Expired - the permit has lapsed; the organisation must renew before operating.
- Revoked - registration has been withdrawn by the Bureau.
Researchers and journalists: the registers are updated as registrations and permit decisions are processed. If you need aggregated data or a dataset for analysis, contact the Bureau and describe what you need - we would rather share information than have you rely on intermediaries.
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Paid formal searches
A free register search tells you whether an organisation is registered. It does not produce a document you can submit as evidence in court, to a donor, or to another government body. For that, you need a formal search.
A formal search is a request to the Bureau for a certified document or a written response signed by the Secretary, NGO Bureau. Because Bureau staff prepare and certify the document, a fee is charged. The fee is set by the NGO Fees Regulations 2017 and is paid through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) e-Services portal under the tax head “Other NTR”.
What you can request in a formal search
- A written confirmation from the Secretary, NGO Bureau, suitable for court or donor submission.
- Certified copies of constitutive documents, including the constitution or trust deed.
- Certified copies of a permit or certificate of registration.
- A certified extract from the register showing the organisation's registered particulars.
How the process works
- Download the formal search request form from the forms library.
- Complete the form, stating clearly the name of the organisation and the documents or information you require.
- Pay the applicable fee through URA e-Services (tax head: Other NTR, entity: NGO Bureau, service: formal search). Keep your payment reference number (PRN) and receipt.
- Submit your completed form together with proof of payment to the Bureau by email or in person at the Bureau offices.
- The Bureau processes the request and issues the certified document or written response. Standard turnaround is ten working days from receipt of a complete request with confirmed payment.
Where to apply: NGO or CBO
For an NGO
Apply to the Bureau
NGOs are registered centrally, so a formal search on an NGO is made to the NGO Bureau. Follow the steps above and submit to the Bureau with proof of payment.
For a CBO
Write to the district
CBOs are registered at the district level. To search a CBO, write to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the district where it operates, giving the organisation's name and details, and pay the district's fee. The law entitles anyone to request this information.
Who pays for a formal search
- Government to government - another government body requesting information does not pay; it writes officially.
- Government to citizen - members of the public pay the prescribed fee.
- Government to business - companies and institutions pay the prescribed fee.
Fees are set by the NGO Fees Regulations 2017 and paid through the URA e-Services portal (tax head: Other NTR). See the fees page for current amounts.
Turnaround may be longer during peak filing periods (January-March and July-September, when annual returns are due). Submit your request as early as possible if you have a deadline.
Who uses the search service
Both the free and paid options are open to everyone. Common users include:
- Donors and grant-makers carrying out due diligence before releasing funds.
- Journalists and researchers investigating the sector.
- Government ministries and agencies verifying implementing partners.
- Courts and tribunals requiring certified evidence of registration status.
- Banks and financial institutions assessing NGO clients.
- Members of the public who want to know whether an organisation collecting funds is lawfully registered.
Not sure which option you need?
If you only need to confirm that an organisation is registered and currently permitted, the free register search is sufficient. If someone is asking you to produce a document, or if you need something signed by the Bureau, you need a formal search.
If you are still unsure, contact the Bureau and explain what you need the document for. Staff will advise you on the right option before you pay a fee.
Contact the Bureau