ISSUE NO.34: 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 23RD TO SUNDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2020
Issue No.34
INTRODUCTION
We give thanks to our Creator for the fact that we are still alive to read these updates. The times have been quite challenging but as we can all see, it is about resilience in all we do so that even when the world gets silent, there comes out one or more people who speak out for others and we can never take their voice(s) for granted.
We went through a week that was characterised by the need for answers to the many questions within the operating context. For example, “what is it that shall be done for victims and families of human rights violations? How shall they get redress?” “Shall the perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses be brought to book as required by law and available human rights standards?” If such questions can have appropriate answers, we will have more hearts settling/settled.
THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN UGANDA
Results of COVID-19 tests done on Sunday 29th November 2020 confirmed 314 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases stood at 20,459. 4 COVID-19 deaths were recorded bringing the total COVID-19 deaths to 205. The breakdown of the new cases are: 314 contacts and alerts: Kampala (188), Wakiso (45), Iganga (12), Mbarara (11), Namutumba (8), Luwero (8), Jinja (8), Mukono (6), Buvuma (5), Kaliro (5), Bugiri (3), Buyende (3), Mayuge (3), Busia (2), Bugweri (2), Arua (2), Bundibugyo (1), Luuka (1), Mubende (1).
Source: https://web.facebook.com/minofhealthUG/photos/a.920207488029057/3709028205813624/
UGANDA AND ELECTIONS - THE ROAD TO 2021: BROADCASTERS ASK POLICE TO PROTECT FIELD JOURNALISTS DURING CAMPAIGNS
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has cried out to security organs, regulators, and the general public to help simplify the work of journalists whenever in the field, especially in this difficult and critical election season. The request was made by Kin Kariisa, the Association’s Chairperson, during an engagement between NAB and other key media stakeholders in a meeting that was held at the Uganda Communications Commission headquarters in Kampala.
Kariisa urged security forces to ensure the safety of journalists as they do their work. He however urged media houses to also take a step and brand their journalists before sending them out in the field.
SECURITY FORCES START INVESTIGATING THEIR OWN OVER LAST WEEK’S KILLINGS
In an effort to ease public anger over ‘’collateral damage’’ in last week’s protests following the arrest of National Unity Platform (NUP) party presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, authorities have started looking into security mistakes that led to the killing of innocent people in Kampala and other parts of the country. Mr Kyagulanyi was accused of violating Covid-19 guidelines. He has since been charged and released on bail.
In a statement issued on Thursday, last week the second day of the protests, the police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga, writes: “The riots have had collateral damages, which include 28 civilian causalities, 11 injuries of security personnel, 11 damaged motor vehicles, two police vehicles and two government vehicles.”
NRM, OPPOSITION SPEAK OUT AGAINST VIOLENCE
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and four main opposition parties have condemned and committed to a peaceful non-violent electoral process. This is in the wake of the electoral related violence that disrupted different parts of the country last week following the arrest of the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine while on the campaign trail in Luuka district.According to the police, the violence left about 50 people dead and several others wounded.
The leaders of the Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People's Congress (UPC), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the Justice Forum (JEEMA) and the NRM jointly condemned the violence and agreed to coordinate efforts to prevent the escalation of the kind. This was at an event to launch a campaign dubbed #IChoosePeace facilitated by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and the Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) held at Serena Hotel in Kampala Wednesday (November 25, 2020).
Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1533514/nrm-opposition-speak-violence
GOV’T INVESTIGATING CONDUCT OF SECURITY PERSONNEL - MBAYO
The Minister-in-charge of the Presidency Ester Mbayo, says the government is investigating the conduct of some security personnel. Mbayo says that the security personnel could be harbouring ill intentions against the government.
Mbayo who on Wednesday opened up a two-day retreat for Resident District Commissioners -RDCs, Internal District Security Officer-DISOs and NRM party district Chairpersons from greater Masaka sub-region, at Hotel Brovad in Masaka town revealed that intelligence reports are pointing to elements of sabotage, intrigue and malice against the government within the security circles.
According to Mbayo, some security personnel were exposed during last week’s protests which were sparked off by the arrest of the National Unity Platform-NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu during his campaign trail in Luuka district.
Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/govt-investigating-conduct-of-security-personnel-mbayo/
UHRC LAUNCHES PROBE INTO RECENT RIOTS
The
Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) launched investigations into the riots
that rocked parts of the country last week. The riots erupted when the youth started protesting the
arrest of the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert
Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, on his campaign trail in Luuka district. Accused of
undermining the electoral guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission (EC)
and the health ministry to tame the spread of COVID-19, Kyagulanyi was released
by Iganga Chief Magistrates Court on Friday, after spending two days in a
Police detention facility at Nalufenya in Jinja district.
In a statement issued on Monday 23rd November 2020, UHRC noted that
some incidents that occurred during the ensuing chaos automatically translated
into the violation of human rights.
Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1533240/uhrc-launches-probe-recent-riots
THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION: EOC BOSS COMMITTED TO HIGH COURT TO STAND TRIAL
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Chairperson, Sylvia Muweebwa Ntambi, accused of defrauding the government of sh44.5m has been committed to the High Court for trial. Ntambi, battling charges of conspiracy to defraud and corruption, was on Tuesday (November 24, 2020) committed after the state prosecutor Harriet Angom informed the court that investigations were complete. This prompted the Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Pamella Lamunu to commit the accused to High Court for trial. "Since investigations on the matter are complete. I hereby commit you to the Anti-Corruption Division of High Court for trial," Lamunu ruled.
Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1533195/eoc-boss-committed-court-stand-trial
DEALING WITH MISCONDUCT: POLICE OFFICERS PROBED FOR CONNIVING WITH EXTORTIONISTS
The Kampala Metropolitan Police commander Moses Kafeero has summoned the officer in charge of the Kimwanyi Police Post in Wandegeya following complaints of extortion by the officers using a gang of men who allegedly harass civilians. During an interaction with teachers from private schools who were undergoing a patriotism training course at Kaazi Camping Grounds, some teachers complained of the Police using men in civilian attire to extort and harass civilians.
The teachers said more often the Police officers send out the men who arrest civilians at random and come up with trumped-up criminal charges against their victims intended to intimidate them into paying bribes.
Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1533452/police-officers-probed-conniving-extortionists
BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: UGANDA - TANZANIA PIPELINE RUNS INTO LEGAL CHALLENGES
Four non-governmental organisations have moved to the East African Court of Justice to block the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) by Uganda and Tanzania. The four (Centre for Food and Adequate Living Rights Ltd and the Africa Institute for Energy Governance both based in Kampala; Nairobi-based Natural Justice-Kenya and Center for Strategic Litigation Ltd based in Zanzibar) want the construction of the pipeline stopped until the matter is heard and determined.
In the case filed on November 6 through the Kampala based M/S Semuyaba, Iga & Company Advocates together with Dalumba Advocates, the applicants are seeking orders against both Uganda and Tanzania to ensure that prior to any similar project, there must be climate change impact assessment; human rights impact assessment and meaningful, effective and transparent public consultations for robust community and broad public participation.”
THE QUEST TO END GENDER BASED VIOLENCE: GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
The Minister of State for Gender, Peace Regis Mutuuzo, has launched 16 days of activism in the fight against domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking to the media at the Uganda Media Centre, Mutuuzo said the national theme adopted for the campaign is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, collect and prevent Gender Based Violence (GBV)”
Mutuuzo said the theme is in line with the urgent need to address the escalating cases of GBV, especially during the Covid-19 lockdown period. She said it had also been observed that during the lockdown, Uganda experienced high levels of teenage pregnancy and child marriage. According to the police report, 4,442 cases of defilement were reported between January and April 2020.
Accordingly, the sixteen day campaign is a platform for voices of survivors and activists to be heard.
CONCLUSION
Vigilance is still required at all fronts. Whether we are fighting COVID-19 or seeking for a free, fair and credible election, we are all called upon to remain watchful of every step we take and every statement we make. Ultimately, we wish to see a peaceful and human rights compliant Uganda that puts every citizen’s interests at heart.
Together we advocate, together we defend and strive for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Uganda and the rest of the world.
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