ISSUE NO. 26: HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE ON THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT OF HRDS IN UGANDA [28TH SEPTEMBER TO 4TH OCTOBER 2020]
THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)
WEEKLY UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMERGING ISSUES WITHIN THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN UGANDA DURING THE PREVALENCE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The Week of 28th September – 4th October 2020
Issue No. 26
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the month of October 2020!
The week of 28th September to 4th October 2020 was characterized by various concerns which included aggravated defilement; limitation on the right to education; corruption and embezzlement of public funds; fight towards conserving the environment; the general elections and issues to do with computer misuse. HRCU continues to capture some of the highlights and to share them with all relevant stakeholders so that appropriate strategies can be developed so as to improve the working environment for human rights defenders and ultimately contribute to the promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Uganda.
LATEST UPDATES ON COVID-19 IN UGANDA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD
Results from COVID-19 tests done on 3rd October 2020 confirmed 146 new cases bringing the total to 8,808 cases in Uganda. 2 COVID-19 deaths were registered from Kampala and Gulu. The total COVID-19 deaths are currently at 81 and recoveries at 4,736.
https://www.africanews.com/2020/10/04/coronavirus-uganda-daily-covid-19-update-3-october-2020/
Front liners in Kapchorwa district which include; nurses, doctors, cleaners and the burial teams claim they last received their risk allowance in April and since then, the authorities have only made promises. Dr Ayubu Wangubo, the Kapchorwa General Hospital Medical Superintendent told Uganda Radio Network that the health workers handling COVID-19 cases in the district have only been working on promises.
https://www.independent.co.ug/no-pay-for-kapchorwa-covid-19-frontline-workers/
By 4th October, there have been 34,804,348 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1,030,738 deaths worldwide according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Reference:
HUMAN RIGHTS AND OTHER EMERGING ISSUES THAT DEVELOPED IN THE COURSE OF THE WEEK
EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC ON THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION
A motion was presented in Parliament by Bugabula South MP Henry Kibalya who contended that parents struggling with effects of the lockdown need to be supported to facilitate the registration of learners. According to estimates from the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), the government is likely to spend around Shs.32 billion for candidate students in private schools. Senior four candidates pay Shs.200,000 for registration while all senior six candidates pay Shs.220,000. Kibalya said that the government was already in the process of paying the same amount for the government schools students.
Kibalya urged the Ugandan government to reconsider its position and meet these costs on behalf of the so many families that are struggling, and therefore unable to pay. He also says that they would not like students to return to schools and then miss out on exams as many parents lack the capacity to pay.
https://observer.ug/news/headlines/66821-mps-pass-resolution-for-gov-t-to-pay-candidates-exam-fees
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe warned returning finalists to clear their tuition before they return to complete their academic programmes. Nawangwe stated that no student will be allowed to sit for exams without paying all the tuition. A total of 11,000 final-year students are expected to return for studies at the University.
https://observer.ug/news/headlines/66830-makerere-to-finalists-pay-full-tuition-before-you-come
SEXUAL OFFENCES: AGGRAVATED DEFILEMENT
A 34-year-old woman in Otuke district in northern Uganda was arrested on Monday 28th September for defiling an 11-year-old boy. The offender is called Susan Akite, a resident of Amyel village, Olilim sub-county in Otuke district and is being held at Otuke Central police station.
https://observer.ug/news/headlines/66812-34-year-old-woman-arrested-over-defiling-11-year-old-boy
EMBEZZLEMENT, CORRUPTION AND ABUSE OF OFFICE
Court issued criminal summons against Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Sylvia Muhebwa Ntambi requiring her to appear in Court to answer charges of corruption and fraud.
Muhebwa was jointly charged with nine other Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) officials, who are facing 26 counts, including embezzlement, abuse of office and causing financial loss to the Government of sh245.5m.
Muhebwa's co-accused are senior personal secretary Agnes Enid Kamahoro,senior monitoring evaluation officer Moses Mugabe, secretary to the commission Mujuni Mpitsi, senior accountant Harriet Byangire and accounts assistant Ronnie Kwesiga. Others are principal compliance officer Evans Jemba, senior compliance officer Manasseh Kwihangana, commission attendant Sarah Nassanga and undersecretary Sunday Nicholas Olwor.
She was alleged to have committed the offences between July 2018 and April 2019 at the EOC offices in Kampala.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1528428/court-summons-equal-opportunities-boss-sh245-fraud
THE CALL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (BUGOMA FOREST)
Early this year, a team from Bunyoro Think Tank led by Zacchaeus Mwetegya petitioned the State minister for Water and Environment, Beatrice Anywar, on the Bugoma give-away. The ministry's permanent secretary, Alfred Okidi, received the petition on behalf of the Minister. They demanded that the leasehold certificate for the said piece of land by Hoima Sugar Ltd be cancelled immediately since the transaction was shrouded in irregularities and controversies. They also demanded a probe be instituted by the Government to establish the circumstances under which Bunyoro kingdom leased out part of Bugoma forest. They say Hoima Sugar leased the land for a paltry sh3b.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1528439/land-hungry-investors-prefer-cut-trees
https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1528431/bugoma-worth-sh200-trillion
THE ROAD TO THE 2021 GENERAL ELECTIONS
General elections in Uganda continue to marred with several irregularities making it seem like a do or die matter. The Inspector General of Police, Martins Okoth Ochola directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate Kassanda South MP Simeo Nsubuga after the circulation of audio on various media platforms, in which, Nsubuga, who recently lost the NRM parliamentary primaries was heard threatening to kill a one Sonko for allegedly trying to woo his supporters to his opponent’s side.
https://observer.ug/news/headlines/66828-mp-simeo-nsubuga-under-investigation-over-death-threats
Naome Kabasharira, the aspirant who won but later lost the Rushenyi constituency NRM primary elections accused the party electoral commission chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi of siding with her opponent to rig her victory.
Kabasharira accused Odoi of lying that he visited the four contested villages, yet he was taken on a guided visit by Rukutana’s agents. Her main point of contention was in four villages where she said that the results were either doctored or no elections were held at all. The four villages include; Nyakahita, Ruyonza, Rwakabira and Rugongi.
INFORMATION SAFETY: WARNING AGAINST COMPUTER MISUSE
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has warned Ugandans against computer misuse, stating that they risk prosecution. Abudu Sallam Waiswa, the Head of Legal and Compliance at UCC said that under the Computer Misuse Act 2011, once one forwards anything using his/her phone, one becomes the author and creator of that content.
UCC, therefore, shared that there is a fact-checker that is available on the UCC website for any member of the public who wants to verify information about anything that has been broadcast and shared online.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1528471/ugandans-spreading-fake-news-prosecuted-ucc
CONCLUSION
Human rights defenders and all relevant stakeholders are called upon to continue monitoring, documenting and reporting human rights abuses and violations that happen within their communities so as to create responsiveness and a way forward towards the birth of various solutions to the same.
In relation to the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases, HRCU continues encourage HRDs, development partners, duty bearers and all citizens to remain vigilant by always following the Standard Operating Procedures against COVID-19.
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