HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.25 OF 2021
THE
HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)
WEEKLY
UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMERGING ISSUES WITHIN THE HUMAN RIGHTS
DEFENDERS' WORKING ENVIRONMENT
ISSUE
NO.25 of 2021 |The Week of June 28 - July 4, 2021
The Human Rights Centre
Uganda (HRCU) welcomes all Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), our partners both in
the civil society, and State Agencies to the new month of July 2021. We recognize
the unfriendly and unconducive operating environment in which most of us do our
work of promoting human rights because of the lock down instituted to curtail
the spread of the covid-19. We however encourage all of us to use all channels available
at our disposal to keep pushing forward adhering to the SoPs and all government
guidelines.
COVID-19
SITUATION IN UGANDA
Results of COVID-19
tests done on 03 July 2021 confirm 480 new cases. The cumulative confirmed
cases are 84,116. #STAYSAFEUG
The breakdown of the new
cases are: 474 Contacts and Alerts: Kampala (318) Wakiso (43) Jinja (31)
Kanungu (14) Busia (13) Luwero (11) Kyotera (10) Tororo (11) Buvuma (8) Mbale
(7) Buikwe (7) Kabale (5) Buyende (5) Kalaki (4) Soroti (4) Namisindwa (3) Iganga
(3) Mukono (2) Rakai (2) Butaleja (2) Mbarara (1) Bulambuli (1) Luwero
(1) Nakasongola (1) Namayingo (1) Masaka (1) Amuru (1) Kasese (1) 4 Truck
Drivers: Elegu (2) Malaba (1) Mutukula (1)
ARMY COURT WRONG TO TRY
CIVILIANS, CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RULES
The Constitutional Court
in Kampala has ruled that is wrong for the General Court Martial to try
civilians.
In 2016, the then Nakawa
Municipality MP Michael Kabaziguruka who was facing treachery charges
petitioned the Constitutional Court, seeking it to declare the General Court
Martial and other military courts unconstitutionally established and could not
try civilians.
In a majority 3:1
judgment, the Constitutional Court ruled that the General Court Martial was set
up to discipline UPDF soldiers and that trying civilians is wrong.
“The composition and
power of appointment of the Court Martial members by the UPDF High Command
emphasize its restrictive nature. Parliament clearly intended that the
jurisdiction of the General Court Martial extends to only UPDF. The General
Court Martial is, therefore, a specialized court set up by parliament for
purposes of dealing with military discipline within the UPDF,” Justice Kenneth
Kakuru said in his judgment.
170 CHILDREN RESCUED FROM KAMPALA STREETS
More than 170 children
have been rescued from the streets of Kampala and taken for quarantine and
rehabilitation. This is part of an initiative by Kampala Capital City
Authority-KCCA and Non-Government Organizations that work with children on the
streets.
The children have been
settled at Nakivubo Blue Primary School where they are being tested for
COVID-19 before being taken to rehabilitation centres. Those who will be found
positive with the virus will be quarantined at the school while those with
negative results will be taken to Kaazi rehabilitation centre along Entebbe
road.
170
children rescued from Kampala streets (independent.co.ug)
KADAGA HAILED FOR LEADING FIGHT
AGAINST BAD WESTERN CULTURE
Kamuli Woman MP Rebecca
Kadaga was sworn in as an ex-officio member of the East African Legislative
Assembly (EALA) in Arusha, Tanzania. Kadaga will sit in the East Africa
Community (EAC) Council of Ministers, the central decision-making and governing
organ of the EAC.
In the plenary session
chaired by the EALA Assembly Speaker, Ngoga Martin, Kadaga was handed the EALA
rules of procedure and a copy of the EAC treaty. The Speaker of the Assembly
praised Kadaga as a senior speaker who comes with rich experience in the
community.
Kadaga hailed for leading fight against bad western culture (independent.co.ug)
JULY 1: NEW TAXES ON FUEL, ALCOHOL AND INTERNET KICK IN
Users of mobile phones
will effective Thursday, July 1, have to pay a 12 per cent Excise Duty on the
value of data, airtime and other value-added services they use, each time they
top up.
The tax which has until
now been charged at 20 per cent, replaces the daily 200 Shillings Over the Top
-OTT Service tax that was considered unfair especially to the low-end users. It
also failed by more than 70 per cent to raise the expected revenue. But
exception will now be given to data for the provision of medical and education
services.
The new tax is now
expected to raise 60 billion Shillings. Also, there will be an increase
in the tax on fuel, by 100 Shillings per litre of petrol to 1,450 Shillings,
which came as a compromise position after the proposal to re-introduce the
annual road license fee for motor vehicles was vehemently opposed as unfair. It
is expected to raise an additional 196 billion Shillings, according to the
Ministry of Finance.
The new tax and other
fiscal measures come into effect at the beginning of the financial year
2021/2022.
The government is
focusing on increasing domestic revenues by at least 16 per cent, from 19.3
trillion Shillings in 2020/21 to 22.4 trillion Shillings in the year
2021/22. This is part of the government Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Strategy,
that is aimed at raising the revenue to GDP ratio from the current 13.5 per
cent to at least 18 per cent by 2025.
MINISTER ADOA ACUSES POLICE OF FRUSTRATING EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE ILLEGAL FISHING PRACTICES
The Fisheries State
Minister Helen Adoa is accusing police of frustrating efforts to eliminate
illegal fishing practices on Ugandan lakes. The minister who also doubles as
Serere Woman MP said this shortly after receiving complaints from local leaders
in the district on the alleged increasing corruption practices by the police.
Norbert Ikwarit, the
Pingire sub-county LC III chairperson accuses the police in the district of
extorting money from every suspect and complaints registered with them. He says
that the village and parish chairpersons are now demoralized on following up
security issues especially reporting cases of defilement, theft and other
criminal acts because police officers are compromised with money.
Citing recent operations
in the sub-county where opium worth millions of Shillings was confiscated,
Ikwarit said that he was shocked to find out that the opium had disappeared
from the police premises.
Legislators from
Karamoja have requested for over Shillings 40billion to facilitate the new disarmament
program in the region following deteriorating security and rampant cattle
raids.
The UPDF 3rd Division is
set to lead the disarmament, targeting armed warriors who have constantly
threatened peace and security in the area. The raids have claimed more than 249
people in recent years across the region.
At least two people are
killed in Karamoja each week, according to Karamoja Development Forum – a local
non governmental organization working for the rights of pastoralists and
security in the region. It further says the figures exclude warriors killed in
combat and those killed in 2021.
MPs
ask for UGX 40Bn for disarmament in Karamoja (independent.co.ug)
ENERGY COMPANIES UNITE TO DELIVER CHEAP ELECTRICITY, EXPAND ACCESS
A coalition of global energy
sector leaders coordinated by Power for All and funded by The Rockefeller
Foundation has launched an integrated energy pilot in Uganda aimed at
increasing power access and reduce the cost of connection.
Led by local electricity
distributor Umeme, the companies will pilot the project dubbed Utilities 2.0
Twaake, in conjunction with several leading Uganda-based renewable energy
companies to provide affordable, reliable, and clean power for all.
The project also
involves providing asset financing which is aimed at studying the effect of
asset ownership on electricity consumption.
The Ministry of Energy
and Mineral Development says it plans to increase access to power from the
current 52% to 60% by 2025 and 100% by 2030.
Currently, 28% of
Ugandans access power on the national grid, with another one quarter using
other sources like standalone solar systems.
Uganda remains among the
countries with some of the lowest electricity accessibility, requiring
connecting 10 million people today if the country is to meet the World Bank
universal access measure.
Energy
companies unite to deliver cheap electricity, expand access (independent.co.ug)
LOCKDOWN: SECURITY
OFFICERS ACCUSED OF CAUSING DEATHS BY DELAYING PREGNANT MOTHERS
Security officials in
greater Arua have come under the spot light for delaying transportation of
pregnant mothers thus denying them timely access to Arua hospital especially
during curfew hours.
According to a weekly
report from last week, some mothers lost their babies due to delays at security
checkpoints, while others were abandoned by boda bodas who were stopped by
security personnel for moving in curfew hours.
Dr. Filbert Nyeko, the
Director Arua Regional Referral Hospital revealed that in addition to being
delayed by security personnel, some mothers have out of fear of travelling at
night been forced to delayed labour time until day break, leading to
fatalities. Without revealing specific number of deaths and mothers suffering
delayed labour, Dr. Nyeko said due to curfew, many mothers now fear to come to
the hospital for labour.
DEPUTY SPEAKER ANITA AMONG
EXPLAINS OULANYAH’S ABSENCE
The
Deputy Speaker Anita Among has said that between her and the Speaker of
Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, they established a working schedule which explains
Oulanyah’s absence.
Oulanyah who was last
month elected Speaker of Parliament last presided over the sitting of the 11th
Parliament during the reading of the 2021/2022 budget on June 10th at Kololo
Independence grounds. This raised speculation with several media reports
indicating that the Speaker was down with COVID-19. One major media house said
he was allegedly transported to the airport in an ambulance and carried on a
stretcher to the plane that evacuated him from Uganda.
In a press conference
held today at Parliament on the institution’s COVID-19 response, the Deputy
Speaker when asked on the whereabouts of the Speaker, said that they made a
schedule where the two principles of Parliament chair the house for two months
each.
She says that now she is
chairing the house, but when the two months come to an end, the Speaker will be
taking charge.
Deputy
Speaker Anita Among explains Oulanyah’s absence (independent.co.ug)
MPS ADVISED TO REMAIN IN CONSTITUENCIES DURING PARLIAMENT LOCKDOWN
Members of Parliament
have been advised to work from their constituencies during the two weeks of
parliament lockdown.
This comes after
concerns raised by Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament-LOP
indicating that the closure has left MPs stranded.
Parliament last week
announced that it would close for two weeks in order to curb the risks of
COVID-19.
For the three Parliament
events of Election of Speaker, Budget reading and the NRM caucus, 3,000 people
were tested and close to 200 tested positive for COVID-19.
Despite the house not
sitting, several events like party caucuses, press conferences, and MPs engagements
have been happening at Parliament.
However, Mpuuga says
that it is in times like this that Parliament is expected to be functional.
Mpuuga in a letter dated
June 24th said that the announcement from Parliament fell short of guiding
members on how and where to conduct the business of Parliament during the
closure of the premises.
Mpuuga proposed that a
digital engagement can be considered by Parliament instead of completely going
on lockdown.
Now, the Clerk to
Parliament Jane Kibirige who has directed that no one be allowed in Parliament
said that MPs are expected to work from their constituencies and sensitize
Ugandans in the constituencies on COVID-19 dangers.
MPs advised to remain in constituencies during parliament lockdown (independent.co.ug)
GOV’T NAMES EIGHT BANNED LABOUR EXPORT COMPANIES
The government has named
eight labour export companies whose licenses have been cancelled.
Internal Affairs
ministry revealed the names of the companies after a meeting with officials
from the Ministry of Gender in an attempt to save Ugandans who are being
trafficked by unscrupulous labour exporters.
Agnes Igoye, coordinator
of anti-human trafficking at ministry of internal affairs said the companies
have had several complaints lodged against them by victims or relatives of
victims who were suffering in foreign countries.
Igoye named the
cancelled external recruiters as; Middle East Consultants located at Tank Hill
road in Muyenga, Rider Uganda Ltd located in Bukoto, Al-Said Agency Ltd based
in Kibuye along Salama road and Eagle Supervision Ltd situated at Mengo.
The other labour
exporters whose contracts have been terminated include; Forbes Enterprises Ltd
based in Kiwatule, Top Notch Recruitment Services, Fly International Jobs and
Sahara Recruitment Agency Ltd based in Lubaga.
Gov’t
names eight banned labour export companies (independent.co.ug)
SECURITY ARRESTS GEN KATUMBA SHOOTERS,
ONE KILLED
The Deputy
Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen Paul Lokech announced a breakthrough in
the operation to arrest the masterminds of the attack on the Minister for Works
and Transport Gen Katumba Wamala.
Unknown
assailants moving on two motorcycles on June 01 sprayed Gen Katumba’s vehicle
with bullets killing his daughter and driver instantly in an incident that
happened along the Kisota –Kulambiro Road, Nakawa Division in Kampala District.
Addressing
journalists on Thursday, Gen Lokech said using footage from CCTV cameras,
security has spent the last three weeks conducting surveillance on people
captured on camera.
He indicated,
“The shooters on June,1, 2021 of Gen Katumba Wamala have been got. Our
surveillance was collaborated with our technical and human intelligence to come
to what we have today. ”
The deputy
IGP identified the shooters as Hussein Wahab Lubwama aka Master who shot and
killed Gen Katumba’s daughter and his driver .
Lokech
however noted that during the operation to arrest the group, Lubwama tried to
fight security operatives and was put out of action.
ADF links
The deputy
Inspector General of Police revealed that the group with a cell in Kampala was
being commanded by one Sheikh Obadia who is currently on the run but noted
they are linked to the Allied Democratic Forces(ADF) terrorist group in
STRESS, LOCKDOWN HAS FUELLED DRUG USE AMONG YOUTH, SAYS POLICE
The Police
Anti-Narcotics Department has attributed the increase in the use of narcotic
drugs especially among many young people in Kampala to a number of factors
including unemployment, stress, poverty and current state of lockdown among
others.
Speaking to
the media in Kampala, the acting Commissioner Anti-Narcotics, Tinka Zarugaba
explained that many young people in Kampala have been using cocaine, heroin and
other substances since the first lockdown, something he said has worsened the
situation.
“From the
time the country declared the pandemic, we are seeing a 14% increase in the
usage of narcotics specifically in Kampala and these statistics were captured in
Kampala and mainly among the youth,” he said.
He noted that
the data was collected from different police stations adding that the use of
different types of narcotics among boda boda cyclists is high.
Stress,
lockdown has fuelled drug use among youth, says police - Nile Post
UGANDANS TO PAY FOR INSTALLATION OF
DIGITAL TRACKERS IN THEIR CARS, MOTORCYCLES BY GOVERNMENT
Government
has said Ugandans will have to pay for the installation of digital trackers in
their vehicles and motorcycles a move aimed at augmenting the security
apparatus of the country.
Addressing
journalists on Tuesday, the Security Minister, Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi said cabinet
on Monday approved the move to have all vehicles and motorcycles installed with
security tracking devices.
“With this
project, we shall be able to know where any motor vehicle is at any particular
time,”Muhwezi said.
At the height
of urban criminality in Uganda in 2018, President Museveni revealed that
government will introduce electronic number plates for all vehicles and
On Tuesday,
the Security Minister revealed that the project will be handled by Global
Security; a company that is from Russia and offers a number of services
including deployment and support of integrated information security systems.
When asked
the amount of money set aside by government for the project, the Security
Minister insisted that government will not inject in any coin but rather the
public will pay for the services.
“Each
individual will pay for the tracking devices like you pay for permit or third
party insurance before putting the vehicle on the road. All vehicles will be
registered to ensure they have that tracking device in them.”
UGANDA GETS SHS3.5TRILLION LOAN FROM IMF TO FIGHT COVID
The approval
was announced on Monday by the International Monetary Fund.
“The
Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a 36-month
arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility(ECF) for Uganda in an
amount equivalent to SDR722 million (200 percent of quota or about US$1
billion) to support the post-COVID-19 recovery and the authorities’ plan to
increase households’ incomes and inclusive growth by fostering private sector
development,” IMF said in a statement.
According to
the International Monetary Fund, US$258 million will be released immediately to
help support the country’s budget.
Making a case
for the loan, IMF said that Uganda’s economy has been severely hit by the
global pandemic which reversed decade-long gains in poverty alleviation and
opened up fiscal and external financing gaps.
The
international body said the loan will help fund some of these efforts that have
been derailed by the onset of the pandemic.
Uganda has
previously received US$31.6 million from the African Development Bank, US$491
million from the International Monetary Fund and US$344 million from the
World Bank to help in the Covid fight.
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