ISSUE NO.31: HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMERGING ISSUES WITHIN HRDS' WORKING ENVIRONMENT
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 Monday 2nd - Sunday 8th November 2020
Issue No. 31
INTRODUCTION
This week saw presidential candidates get nominated and then submit their campaign roadmap/schedule to the Electoral Commission. The events that took place on the nomination days especially the second day were more of an eye opener of what is likely to define the environment of the general elections come 2021 and therefore a call to HRDs to be vigilant, document and take stock of violations and abuses during the period.
THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN UGANDA
Results of COVID-19 tests done on 8th November 2020 confirmed 171 new cases. The cumulative cases are now 14,574. One new COVID-19 death recorded in Kampala. The total COVID-19 deaths are now 133.
The breakdown of the new cases are: 165 contacts and alerts: Kampala (63), Gulu (22), Moyo (10), Luwero (9), Apac (7), Masaka (7), Busia (6), Amuru (5), Kabale (21), Wakiso (3), Arua (4), Maracha (2), Buvuma (1), Kyotera (1), Jinja (1) Adjumani (2), Moroto (1). There were 5 Returnees.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/minofhealthUG
WHY USA SUSPENDED $10M COVID-19 RELIEF TO UGANDA
On Friday, October 30, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the termination of its planned $10m relief grants to poor Ugandans. This is partly because the approval of the funds hit a hitch after the second review of the funders, leading to the project's suspension.
The statement said USAID and GiveDirectly worked closely with government counterparts to successfully vet the programme through the Cabinet and ultimately to launch the programme publicly as part of the Lira City celebration in August.
The programme has not been authorised to resume and no assurances have been provided that authorisation by the US government is forthcoming. In light of this indefinite suspension, it is now unlikely that the programme will meet its original objective, which was to prevent COVID-19 related economic backsliding of the most vulnerable Ugandans.
Details at: https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1531200/usa-suspended-usd10m-covid-19-relief-uganda
HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ROAD TO 2021: UN CALLS FOR APPOINTMENT OF UHRC CHAIRPERSON
The United Nations Human Rights Country
Representative, Robert Ayeda Kotchani has urged government to appoint the
chairman of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) as part of the necessary
efforts for safeguarding and promoting human rights.
Arguing that general elections come with many human rights challenges, Kotchani
emphasised the need for the strengthening of Uganda Human Rights Commission. "For
more than a year, UHRC doesn't have a chairperson. There is need for the
substantive Chair to the commission to be appointed," Kotchani stated. The
position became vacant when the former chairperson, Med Kasozi Kaggwa, died
after collapsing on his way to work in November 2019.
Expressing concern that there is so much violation of human rights in Uganda
some of which are orchestrated by state agents, Kotchani implored Uganda
government to undertake deliberate efforts to end the violations.
Details at: https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1531322/calls-appointment-uhrc-chairperson
BOBI WINE LAUNCHES MANIFESTO, PLEDGES TO IMPROVE LIVES OF TEACHERS, MUSICIANS, SECURITY PERSONNEL
The National Unity Platform, led by Hon Robert Kyagulanyi has launched its manifesto today in Mbarara at Kakyeeka grounds. While launching his manifesto, Kyagulanyi pledged to give teachers a decent salary and improve their standards of living.
“Our government
will ensure that teachers get a decent salary, decent accommodation and a
decent retirement package,” he said. Hon Kyagulanyi further
pledged to increase access to facilities in health centers and the salaries of
health workers. Much more, he emphasized that together
with his government, they will ensure that security personnel’s welfare and
their salaries are improved.
He adds that his government will ensure that promotion is on
merit.
TACKLING CORRUPTION: COURT DIRECTS SENKEETO, FIVE OTHERS TO REFUND UNRA SHS20BN IN BOTCHED KYETUME-KATOSI ROAD SAGA
The Commercial Division of the High Court in Kampala directed businessman Apollo Senkeeto together with five others to refund over shs.20billion to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) in the botched Kyetume -Katosi road saga.
Following the botched shs24.7billion Kyetume-Katosi road saga, an audit found out that works amounting to only 3% worth six billion shillings had been done by the time the construction was stopped. This came after it was found out that after receiving the contract, EUTAW sub-contracted CICO Construction Corporation, a Chinese company to do the works in a dubious deal since EUTAW was nonexistent.
In 2016, UNRA went to court seeking for orders to compel Senkeeto, Tim Mackoy, Richard Pratt, Michael Olvey, Niu Hong and EUTAW Construction Company Incorporated to refund the remaining shs18.6 billion which was never used since the project was stopped.
Details also at: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/67255-court-orders-katosi-road-scam-convicts-to-refund-shs-20bn
INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL CONDEMNS BRUTAL ARRESTS OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has condemned the manner in which security forces handled presidential nominations and nominees on Tuesday 3rd November 2020, calling for fairness during the electoral process.
Addressing the media on Wednesday in Mbarara city, the Secretary General IRCU Joshua Kitakule condemned the manner and nature of arrests for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party nominee Patrick Amuriat Oboi and National Unity Platform (NUP) party nominee Robert Kyagulanyi.
The religious leaders want the electoral commission to make rules governing the 2021 general elections clear to all players in the process.
CCEDU DEMANDS FOR THE ARREST OF POLICE OFFICERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE TORTURING OF OPPOSITION CANDIDATES
The Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) has demanded for the immediate arrest and prosecution of police officers who participated in the violence that ensued during the last day of nomination.
The demand followed the incident on Tuesday 3rd November 2020 where tear gas and bullets characterised the presidential nominations as NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi and FDC’s Patrick Amuriat were both brutally arrested.
Speaking to the media in Kampala, Charity Kalebbo Ahimbisibwe, the Acting Executive Director, CCEDU, condemned police brutality meted on opposition presidential candidates and asked the Electoral Commission to pronounce itself on the matter. She noted that it was very evident that security forces applied a lot of force to disperse the crowds who had come to support their candidates.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SET FOR JANUARY 14, 2021
The Electoral Commission set January 14, 2021, as the Election Day for the President. The same date was earlier announced as the polling date for Members of Parliament.
The date was declared just a day after the conclusion of nominations for presidential candidates, a race which attracted 11 candidates. These include the incumbent Yoweri Museveni, Robert KyagulanyiSsentamu, Gregory Mugisha Muntu, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, Henry Tumukunde, Nobert Mao, Joseph Kabuleta, Nancy Kalembe, Willy Mayambala, Fred Mwesigye and John Katumba.
The Commission also maintained that while the campaign period is opening for all nominated candidates, processions and public or mass rallies remain banned in accordance with the measures and guidelines put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Details at: https://www.independent.co.ug/presidential-elections-set-for-january-14-2021/
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: COURT DISMISSES CASE AGAINST DR STELLA NYANZI
Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate, Joan KettyAcaa, has dismissed the common nuisance case that was slapped against Dr Stella Nyanzi.
Nyanzi, 46, a former Makerere University research fellow had been charged alongside businessmen, Godfrey Katongole, 34, and Isaac Newton, 34. However court dismissed the case after the state failed to present any witnesses.
“In the interest of justice, I note that the prosecution has failed to adduce court with witnesses since July when the suspects were arraigned for plea. The case against the three is hereby dismissed for want of prosecution and the accused are hereby set free, unless held on other charges,” Acaa ruled.
Details at: https://nilepost.co.ug/2020/11/05/court-dismisses-case-against-dr-stella-nyanzi/
THE RIGHT TO OWN PROPERTY: GOVT STARTS REGISTERING INDIVIDUALS FOR LAND CERTIFICATES
The ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development has embarked on the process of registering individuals, families, and communities in an effort to issue them with land certificates of ownership, targeting 13 districts by December this year.
Denis Obbo, the Ministry spokesman said that a team of experts was in the field in the districts of Northern Uganda but were spreading to other districts. In Pader, he said, the team had so far registered 740 families and the number was still growing. According to Obbo, these should be able to get their certificates by December this year.
The Ministry is also working on others including Nwoya, Oyam, Soroti, Katakwi, Adjumani, Butalejja, Buliisa, Kisoro, and Kabale. Other areas listed include Mbarara, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Agago, Apac, and Maracha.
Certificates of customary land ownership help confirm ownership of the land by the occupants and minimize clashes and land grabbing.
Details at: https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1531316/govt-starts-registering-individuals-land-certificates
ACTIVISTS PIN OIL FIRMS FOR VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS
Women and girls continue suffering at the hands of corporations in unequal and distinct ways, a report by the National Association for Women's Action in Development. (NAWAD) has revealed. The report which was concluded last year revealed a string of human rights violations, including delayed payments, land grabbing, and sexual harassment and destroying the environment.
The report stated that the activities of mining in the national parks which are being carried on by big corporate companies have threatened animals and in return, the animals invade families that neighbour the national parks leaving some women dead and crops destroyed.
Details at: https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1531215/activists-pin-oil-firms-violating-human-rights
CONCLUSION
HRCU is committed to the continued identification and compilation of human rights and key issues within the working environment of human rights defenders in Uganda. Given the tough reality that COVID-19 continues to be a big threat to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, it becomes paramount that everyone has to become more vigilant with their lives and get more intentional about working towards staying safe and healthy for themselves and their loved ones.
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