HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.12 OF 2021
WEEKLY
UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMERGING ISSUES WITHIN THE HUMAN RIGHTS
DEFENDERS' WORKING ENVIRONMENT
ISSUE
NO.12 OF 2021 |The Week of March 29 - April 4, 2021
WELCOME
TO THE MONTH OF APRIL!
The
year, 2021 is moving on well despite the challenges that keep manifesting here
and there. They are a reflection of the dynamic environment within which we
move, live and have our being but as human rights defenders, we should be able
to look out for opportunities through which we shall continue to promote and
strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental
freedoms.
The
country received "disturbing" news of the demise of Archbishop
Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. HRCU joins the large community of Ugandans to express
grief and share condolences over the passing of this key figure who also
doubled as a human rights advocate and defender. May his soul rest in
everlasting peace.
Below
are some of the updates that The Human Rights Centre Uganda shares with you
from the week of March 29 to April 4, 2021.
THE
COVID-19 SITUATION IN UGANDA
At
the time of sharing this update, Uganda had established 54 new cases bringing
the total cumulative confirmed cases to 41,016. The total
number of deaths still stood at 335 and recoveries were 40,452. The
number of people who vaccinated against COVID-19 were 103,036.
Source
and more details at:
Ministry
of Health, Uganda Titter page: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/status/1378990659315634178
Worldometers: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uganda/
Government
Relaxes Age Group For Coronavirus Vaccination
People
aged 50 and above, as well as those with comorbidities aged aged above
18nhave been included on the COVID-19 vaccination priority list. This
announcement was made on Tuesday March 30, 2021 by Dr. Alfred Driwale, the
Programme Manager of the Uganda Expanded Programme on Immunization (UNEPI). He
mentioned that the Ministry of Health had decided to accelerate the uptake of
the vaccines by widening the priority list for more coverage ahead of the anticipated
second wave of the pandemic.
Source
and details at: Daily Monitor, Thursday April 1, 2021:
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Kampala
Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga Found Dead In His Room
The
Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga was found
dead in his house on Saturday morning.
Dr.
Lwanga was last seen in public on Friday April 2, 2021 as he said mass at
Rubaga Catholic church where he led the homily of Good Friday celebrations
where he, together with other leaders under the umbrella body, Uganda Joint
Christian Council (UJCC), expressed displeasure about the ongoing abuse of
human rights especially murder of Ugandans across the country.
Source
and details at: The Independent, Saturday April 3, 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/catholic-anglican-archbishops-condemn-murders-injustices-and-land-grabbing/
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LEGISLATION
Government
Finally Approves National Health Insurance Bill
Parliament
passed the long awaited National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Bill, which
seeks to provide universal healthcare to all Ugandans. The passing came after
members of Parliament rejected Health State minister in charge of General
Duties Robinah Nabanja’s motion to withdraw the Bill to do more consultations.
This
means that if assented to by the President, there will be a four percent (4%)
deduction on salaries of employees in the formal sector and a one percent (1%)
contribution from their employers, to contribute to the health scheme.
Individuals in the informal sector will contribute an annual payment of
100,000shillings.
Source
and more details at: Daily Monitor, Thursday April 1, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/parliament-passes-health-insurance-bill-3344440
Uganda
Radio Network: Wednesday March 31, 2021: https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/parliament-finally-approves-national-health-insurance-bill
Assent
To Succession Bill, Women Ask President Museveni
Members
of Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) and other women rights
activists appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to assent to the Succession
(Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The
Executive Director of Center for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP) Tina
Musuya called upon President Museveni to assent to the Bill as it is in line
with Uganda's commitment to international, regional and national laws more
specifically Chapter Four Articles 21, 26 and 33 of the Constitution of the
Republic of Uganda, believing that the assent to the Bill will improve and
protect the lives of women and girls since they will be able to seek justice in
case of unlawful eviction from their homes.
Source
and more details: The New Vision, Thursday April 1, 2021: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/96783
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CRIME
WATCH | ACCESS TO JUSTICE
23-Year
Old Man Accused of Killing Five Women and Baby, Remanded
A
23-year old man and his alleged accomplice who were arrested following the
death of five women and a three-month old baby in Nakulabye in Rubaga division,
Kampala were charged with murder and remanded to prison.
Musa
Musasizi was on Wednesday March 31, 2021 arraigned before Mwanga II
Magistrate's Court and charged with six counts of murder before he was
remanded to Kitalya prison until April 12, 2021 when he will be brought
back to Court for further mention of the case.
Source
and more details at: Daily Monitor, Wednesday March 31, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/23-year-old-man-accused-of-killing-five-women-baby-remanded--3343960
Supreme
Court Blocks Constitutional Order Rendering DPP Abodo, EC Byabakama
Powerless
The
Supreme Court reinstated the Director of Public Prosecutions, Jane Frances
Abodo, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Simon Mugenyi Byabakama and
the Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission, Benjamin Kabiito into their
offices days after the Constitutional Court ruled that there were illegally
there. The trios work had been curtailed following the land mark Constitutional
Court judgment delivered on March 18 in a petition filed by the late lawyer,
Robert Aldridge Kasango aka Bob, who was among others challenging the
appointment of judges into the executive arm of government or to a
constitutional posting without first resigning from the Judiciary.
The
Supreme Court on issued an interim order on Wednesday March 31, 2021 staying
execution of the order that the officers are in office illegally and ruled that
this order would stay in force until the disposal of the substantive application.
Source and more details at: Daily Monitor, Wednesday March 31, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/supreme-court-blocks-constitutional-court-order-rendering-dpp-abodo-ec-s-byabakama-powerless--3343644
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EAST
AFRICA COMMUNITY NEWS
Tanzania:
Suluhu Government Suspends "Expensive" Data Packages
New
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government suspended new internet
data packages issued on Friday April 2, 2021 by telecommunication firms, saying
they were expensive and needed to be revised.
The
Tanzania Communication Regulatory Auhority (TCRA) issued a statement late on
Friday stating that it made the decision following complaints from consumers
that the cost of data in particular had risen following the release by telcos
earlier in the day of new rates for bundles for voice calls, data and short
messaging services.
The
government directed telcos to suspend new prices for data bundles for a while
as the issue is being sorted out.
Source
and details at: The Independent, Saturday March 3, 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/tanzania-suluhu-govt-suspends-expensive-data-packages/
CONCLUDING
REMARK
Every
week that starts has its own uniqueness. As human rights defenders, we must
always step out with an open mind to face the day's hurdles and embrace the
numerous opportunities it shall present. Critical thinking and reflection is a
must as it will lead to new ideas about solving the existing realities and
creating a more desirable working environment.
Thanks Robert for the updates.
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