HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.24 OF 2021
WEEKLY
UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMERGING ISSUES WITHIN THE HUMAN RIGHTS
DEFENDERS' WORKING ENVIRONMENT
ISSUE
NO.24 of 2021 | The Week of June 21 - 27, 2021
As the week began, we
witnessed the swearing-in of the newly-appointed and approved Cabinet on Monday
21, at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala. It is therefore very vital that
civil society and human rights defenders take advantage of the new cabinet, engage
the relevant ministries and ministers in the promotion of human rights as it is
the core role of the cabinet to implement government programmes and projects
which essentially touch directly and affect human rights. This is a call to
action to HRDs to engage, network, collaborate and partner with this new
cabinet.
Results of COVID-19 tests done on 26 June 2021 confirm 695 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 79,089. #STAYSAFEUG
10,000 CONGOLESE REFUGEES
RELOCATED TO BUNDIBUGYO DISTRICT
The Office of the Prime
Minister has resolved to resettle more than 10,000 refugees from the Democratic
Republic of Congo-DRC to the transit centre in Bundibugyo district.
The refugees who are
fleeing fighting in Boga town crossed into Ntoroko district. The town is about
25km from Ntoroko district.
Ntoroko district local
leaders settled the refugees at Rwamabale Primary School, bordering Bundibugyo
district while others in Bweramule, Rwebisengo, Karugutu, Kanara and Butungama
sub counties.
However, the leaders say
they don’t have adequate resources to handle the numbers.
The government’s plan to
distribute Covid-19 relief aid to Uganda has drawn criticism from different
organizations.
The government said it
would use mobile money to get money to the vulnerable people who are affected
by the lockdown to contain the second Covid-19 wave.
Unlike last year where
the government distributed foodstuffs to vulnerable communities especially in
Kampala and Wakiso, this time around, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja announced
that they are to send money electronically.
The previous program was
criticized for not reaching some people who were in the targeted category,
while others who did not qualify according to the vulnerability measure,
actually got the food.
Civil
society calls for transparency in emergency cash for Covid-19 relief
(independent.co.ug)
Legislators from the
ruling National Resistance Movement –NRM party declined to participate in the
Buganda Parliamentary Caucus elections on Wednesday citing inadequate
planning. Only 9 of the 46 NRM MPs from the Central region led by Kiboga
East MP, Keffa Kiwanuka showed up ahead of the election and accused their
colleagues from the National Unity Platform-NUP party, the biggest opposition
party in parliament for ring fencing top caucus positions for its members.
Fifty-five (55) of the
57 NUP legislators in parliament are from the Central region. On Tuesday, NUP
legislators endorsed the Butambala County MP, Muwanga Kivumbi as their
candidate for the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus chairperson’s seat. They also
endorsed the Busujju County MP, David Kalwanga for the position of caucus
treasurer, Ntenjeru South MP (Independent) Patrick Nsanja, secretary, Mityana
Woman MP Joyce Bagala, publicity secretary and Bukomansimbi North MP, Dr.
Christine Ndiwalana, External Affairs secretary.
Muwanga Kivumbi (NUP) was declared Chairperson,
deputized by Buikwe South MP Dr. Lulume Bayiga (DP), all unopposed.
NRM
MPs shun Buganda parliamentary caucus elections (independent.co.ug)
The Ministry of Finance,
Planning and Economic Development and the Uganda Revenue Authority have agreed
that there is a need to quickly centralize the collection of government
revenues within the East African Community.
Article 32 of the EAC
Common Market Protocol provides for the harmonization of tax policies to remove
distortions and facilitate the movement of persons, goods and capital, to
promote trade and investment, while Article 8 of the EAC Monetary Union
Protocol provides for harmonization of fiscal policies for the avoidance of
harmful competition.
The Commissioner of
Economic Affairs at the EAC Affairs Ministry, Leonard Kizito Ojara says Uganda
as a member is ready to implement policies geared towards the harmonization of
the policies because the government knows its implications.
Gov't,
civil society call for joint tax revenue collection in EAC (independent.co.ug)
The Uganda People’s
Defense Forces General Court Martial has suspended its operations. The decision
is in line with the new COVID-19 preventive measures announced by President
Yoweri Museveni last week to contain the second wave of the pandemic which has
seen a spike in infections.
In his televised
address, Museveni directed all government ministries, agencies and departments
to scale down their staff to 10 percent as part of the COVID-19 containment
measures. Lt Col. John Bizimana, the registrar at the General Court-Martial
says that unlike the past lockdown when they continued working, this time
around, they have decided to halt their operations but will remain on standby
in case any new matter comes up.
Court
Martial suspends operations (independent.co.ug)
COURT AWARDS FORMER TREASON SUSPECTS SH80M FOR UNLAWFUL ARREST
The High Court in
Kampala has awarded ten million Shillings to each of the eight men who were
arrested in 2011 on charges of treason, which were dropped eight years later.
The eight include
Warrant Officer II Atunga Bantu, Boniface Mumbere Kinyambila, Abel
Kacwano Kazoora, Simon Matte Mwesigye, Esau Tugumisirize also known as Muhwezi,
Augustine Okello, Malon Agotre and Arthur Kabaziguruka. They were arrested from
various parts of the country and jointly charged before Buganda Road Magistrates
Court for plotting to overthrow the government and concealment of treason.
However, the group sued
the government for illegal arrest, detention, and torture. They said that they
were illegally arrested and detained in ungazetted places where they were reportedly
subjected to torture. Some say they were beaten and forced to sleep in the
cold, as as a result came out with health complications like hearing
impairments.
Court awards former treason suspects Sh80m for unlawful arrest (independent.co.ug)
A section of Members of
Parliament from rural areas have called for equitable distribution of COVID-19
relief cash across the country.
The government has
allocated 53 billion Shillings as relief support to vulnerable people in
municipalities and cities which are hit hardest by the lockdown measures, laid
out by President Yoweri Museveni to stop the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
At least 530,000 vulnerable Ugandans are expected to benefit with each getting
100,000 Shillings each.
But the group is against
the criteria proposed by the National COVID-19 task force to concentrate on
vulnerable persons within the Kampala Metropolitan area, 41 municipalities and
10 operation cities as the only areas to benefit from the multi-billion welfare
plan. They have also questioned the criteria for identifying the said
beneficiaries.
MPs
oppose COVID-19 relief for cities, municipalities only (independent.co.ug)
GOVT SUED OVER EXORBITANT CHARGES BY PRIVATE HOSPITALS TO TREAT COVID PATIENTS
The Centre
for Health Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) has sued government for failure
to reign in on health facilities, especially private hospitals who are charging
exorbitantly for treating Coronavirus patients.
Many Ugandans
have raised concern over the exorbitant charges by hospitals which go as high
as shs5 million per day per patient, especially those in the Intensive Care
Units and suffering from Covid.
Addressing
journalists on Friday, Noor Nakibuuka, the Director of Programs at CEHURD said
the health rights promotion organization was moved by several complaints of
exorbitant fees to them by several members of the public.
“The rates
charged by the hospitals are clearly exorbitant in nature and largely
unbearable to vulnerable Ugandans seeking Covid treatment in hospitals amidst
the pandemic and tough economic times. We are however surprised that no
instrument has been issued to regulate the private sector as it supports the
national response to Covid,” Nakibuuka said.
In the suit,
the Attorney General, the Minister of Health and the Uganda Medical and Dental
Practitioners Council have been listed as respondents and according to CEHURD,
government as a primary provider for health as a social good, it ought to have
regulated the sector against exploitation by private individuals.
OPPOSITION NAMES SHADOW CABINET
MP Mathias
Mpuuga, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the 11th Parliament has
released a list of shadow cabinet ministers that he will work with for the next
5 years.
In his
appointments, appointed legislators from his party, the National Unity Platform
(NUP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), PPP, and independents.
The Leader of
Opposition, in his mandate, appoints and heads an alternative Shadow Cabinet
whose duty is to challenge and influence government legislation on the floor of
Parliament.
Mpuuga, while
announcing his team said;
FULL
LIST: Opposition names shadow cabinet - Nile Post
GEN TUMWINE’S ADVICE TO MUSEVENI ON SMOOTH TRANSITION DIVIDES MPS
Members of
Parliament are divided on the statement from outgoing Minister for Security
Gen. Elly Tumwine of who advised President Museveni to start preparing a smooth
transition of power for the better and continuous stability of the country.
Some said the
advice is timely from the bush war hero while others said his advice is
uncalled for as President Museveni still has the mantle to lead the country.
Handing over
the office of minister for Security to Maj. Gen Jim Muhwezi, Tumwine said that
in his new assignment as a senior advisor to the president, he will advise
President Museveni to start preparing for a peaceful transition of power for
the better and continuous stability of the country.
Tumwine said
Museveni has given this country his best and deserves a honourable retirement.
Gen
Tumwine's advice to Museveni on smooth transition divides MPs - Nile Post
NDA, PUBLIC SPLIT OVER COVIDEX HERBAL MEDICINE
With vaccines
in short supply and Covid-19 infections soaring daily, and hundreds being
hospitalised or killed by the virus, the public is frantically searching for remedies
to boost immunity or fend off the mass killer disease.
But there is
sharp split of opinion on whether herbal medicine is the best option to quickly
fix the infections and deaths.
While
scientists say the best option to stop the pandemic remains a vaccine, enough
of it won’t be available soon to save the 21.9 million Ugandans who the
government says need it.
In light of
this scarcity, many have come to see Covidex, marketed as a novel ‘Covid cure’,
as a quick treatment to stop their panic and death from Covid-19.
The drug,
made by Mbarara University scientists led by Prof Patrick Ogwang, had filled up
drug stores and are selling out so quickly and in large quantities.
However, on
June 14, both the National Drug Authority (NDA) and Mbarara University of
Science and Technologhy (MUST) issued statements banning the use of the drug.
NDA, public split over Covidex herbal medicine - Daily Monitor
CONCLUSION
The Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU) joins the rest of the health and life loving Ugandans to adhere to the Ministry of Health guidelines and Presidential directives in the effort to combat the spread of covid-19. However, HRCU further encourages HRDs to document all human rights violations and abuses in the process of implementing the guidelines.
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