Government has ordered the immediate closure of the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), a respected media training institution in Africa, citing unspecified intelligence reports that its activities “threaten national security.”
In a notice dated January 9, 2026, the NGO Bureau suspended ACME’s operating permit under Section 42(d) of the NGO Act Cap 109.
The one-page letter, signed by the Bureau’s secretary, Dr Stephen Okello, states that the organisation is “engaged in activities which are prejudicial to the security and the laws of Uganda.”
The executive director of ACME, Dr George Lugalambi, told Bbeg Media that they had been to “cease all operations of the organisation with immediate effect” pending the outcome of investigations.
In the letter, the bureau promised to give ACME a reasonable time to defend itself.
The move halts ACME’s ability to function at a critical moment when the country is headed for a crucial election.
Founded in 2009, the organisation trains journalists, organises the annual Uganda National Journalism Awards, conducts media research, and advocates for press freedom across the region.
ACME has been particularly active in the lead-up to elections, producing guidelines on ethical election reporting, analysing digital disinformation risks, and monitoring media coverage.
The media organisation joins other CSOs such as Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ), Chapter Four, Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), and Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM) that have been suspended.
