HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.28 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.28 of 2021 | The Week of July 19 - 25, 2021

INTRODUCTION 

 On Tuesday 20^th July 2021, all moslem brothers and sisters celebrated Eid al-Adha which honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to God's command. The Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU), takes this opportunity to congratulate moslems across the country upon celebrating this important day in the faith and calendar of Islam.

COVID-19 SITUATION IN UGANDA

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 23 July 2021 confirm 375 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 92,490. #STAYSAFEUG

The breakdown of the new cases are: 372 Contacts and Alerts: Kampala (144) Kagadi (16) Nakasongola (14) Nabitaluk (12) Mbale (12) Mukono (10) Tororo (9) Kyotera (9) Sembabule (8) Obongi (7) Kasese (7) Kibuku (6) Sironko (5) Bukomansimbi (5) Kalungu (5) Butambala (5) Rakai (5)

 Wakiso (13) Buyende (5) Mbarara (7) Gulu (4) Busia (4) Kapchorwa (4) Oyam (4) Bududa (4) Hoima (3) Nakaseke (3) Nakapiripirit (3) Kotido (3) Adjuani (3) Yume (2) Buikwe (2) Terego (2) Mpigi (2) Arua (2) Mubende (2) Luwero (3) Isingiro (2) Masaka (2) Namayingo (2) Napak (2) Kanungu (1) Soroti (1) Iganga (1) Kiboga (1) Pallisa (1) Lwengo (1) Kabale (1) Kalaki (1) Kyegegwa (1) 3Truck Drivers: Mutukula (2) Kampala (1)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7IkXLfWYAUI6CA?format=jpg&name=medium      

 NABBANJA DIRECTS IGG TO INVESTIGATE SOURCE OF POOR STANDARD ITEMS SUPPLIED TO KASESE FLOOD VICTIMS

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has rejected the report from the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, on the substandard items that were delivered to the affected persons in Kasese saying it lacks facts.

Addressing the Bunyoro Parliamentary caucus, Nabbanja said she had directed the Inspector of Government, Police and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to carry out fresh investigations into the matter.

She gave them three days to come up with a report.

Early this week when Nabbanja visited people affected by floods in Kasese, she was dismayed to learn that they had been given substandard items such as blankets.

She also revealed that some ill- intentioned people have started threatening her family with the latest incidence happening to one of his brother in Kakumiro.

Nabbanja directs IGG to investigate source of poor standard items supplied to Kasese flood victims - Nile Post

 MPS’ CAR MONEY IS WASTAGE, WE SHALL TAKE IT BUT USE SOME FOR PROJECTS- NUP

The Opposition National Unity Platform has responded to the lingering question of whether they will partake of the Shs 200m given to each MP to facilitate them with a vehicle of they will return the money to support the health challenge of the country during the CoviD-19 pandemic.

Speaking on behalf of the party, the opposition chief whip John Baptist Nambeshe said that the party recognizes a “wastage” on the side of government to release a whopping Shs108billion to buy car fleets for MPs.

Nambeshe said that the party stands with most Ugandans who have been utterly shocked that at a time when the country is grappling with the dire effects of the lockdown, the government has released Shs108billion to MPs to purchase cars.

“This is just one of the very many aspects of wastage of public resources which NUP has been critical of, including the billions of money spent by State House every day,” Nambeshe wrote.

MPs’ car money is wastage, we shall take it but use some for projects- NUP - Nile Post

 14 TEEN GIRLS 'BEING TRAINED TO SLEEP WITH DOGS' RESCUED IN MUYENGA

Police have stormed a guesthouse on Muyenga Hill in Kampala and rescued 14 girls found living in terrible conditions. The girls were reportedly being trained in conducting unnatural sexual acts including allegedly sleeping with dogs and being prepared to travel to a European destination for unspecified duties. 

Most of the girls are minors aged below 14, who by law cannot be employed, nor travel abroad without parental/guardian's consent. Only one girl is said to be 19. 

Acting upon a tip-off by concerned residents in Makindye Division, a Kampala suburb. Kampala Metropolitan Deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire said that the 14 girls were found at Papaya Holiday Home in Muyenga B Zone, Makindye Division. He said the older girl aged 19 claims to be a S.6 student of Namungoona Parents secondary school in Rubaga Division.

Owoyesigyire said that they were under the custody of a lady called Dorothy Ndagire who purports to operate an NGO called Maya Project, Uganda Chapter working in collaboration with another in the UK but not registered under the laws of Uganda.

14 teen girls 'being trained to sleep with dogs' rescued in Muyenga (observer.ug)

 IPOD DRAFTING NEW MOU FOR POLITICAL PARTIES

The Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue-IPOD is in the process of drafting a new Memorandum of Understanding-MoU that binds all political parties with representation in Parliament. Four political parties namely the Democratic Party-DP, Forum for Democratic Change-FDC, National Resistance Movement-NRM and Uganda People’s Congress-UPC signed the first MoU in 2017.

Justice Forum-JEEMA joined the MoU later after the party president Asuman Basaalirwa won the Bugiri Municipality Parliamentary seat during the 2018 by-election. IPOD members are bound to principles of gender equity, inclusiveness, ownership, transparency, accountability, mutual respect and responsibility. The IPOD leadership is rotational and follows the alphabetical order with each member party steering the organization for six months.

The party president becomes the chairman of IPOD and the summit, which is the highest organ of IPOD comprising of Presidents of member parties.  The 2017 MoU was scheduled to end in 2020 but was extended to complete the six months term of office of the National Resistance Movement-NRM which expired last month, June.

 IPOD summit. File Photo

IPOD drafting new MoU for political parties (independent.co.ug)

 LABORATORIES UNDER INVESTIGATIONS OVER FAKE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS

The State House Health Monitoring Unit has opened investigations into laboratories that issue fake COVID-19 test results.

This comes after several travelers at Entebbe International Airport were blocked after it was discovered that they had fake COVID-19 results.

According to the health monitoring unit, most of the affected persons were migrant workers who were issued with negative tests but were later found to be positive.

Dr Warren Namara, the head of the State House Health Monitoring Unit says they are investigating several irregularities concerning COVID-19 testing. He says they are investigating the integrity of all laboratories that are carrying out COVID-19 testing.

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Laboratories under investigations over fake Covid-19 test results (independent.co.ug)

LIRA HOSPITAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT LACKING SPECIALISTS

A report presented to the Parliamentary COVID-19 Task Force shows that the ICU has 3 doctors, 2 medical officers, 2 specialist ICU nurses and 6 support staff.

An ideal intensive care unit requires doctors with a speciality in anesthetics, cardiology and emergency medicine. It also needs physiotherapists, dieticians, speech therapists and nurses. The role of nurses is however limited to delivery of medicines prescribed by the doctors and monitoring blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels.

However, the ICU at Lira Referral Hospital does not have all the specialists needed to keep it functional.

Stephen Obbo, the Director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital says that the ICU requires over 12 nurses, a physician, and an anesthesiologist.

Lira Hospital ICU

Lira hospital intensive care unit lacking specialists (independent.co.ug)

 RIGHTS DEFENDERS DEMAND DR. ATWINE’S RESIGNATION

Human rights defenders under the Union of Human Rights Defenders Uganda have called for the resignation of the Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine for alleged mismanagement of the COVID 19 situation in the country. According to the activists, Atwine has failed to account for funds and items donated to the ministry during the first lockdown in her capacity as the accounting officer of her ministry.

Addressing journalists at the People’s Government offices along Katonga road on Thursday morning, Annet Namata commonly known as Nalongo Mwafrika, one of the activists said that Atwine must also resign for exposing medical personnel to the virus when the ministry failed to avail them Personal Protective Equipment yet it was available in stores of National Medical Stores.

Namata gave Dr. Atwine an ultimatum of 24 hours to resign or else they mobilise and stage peaceful protests to express discontent and prompt the government to force her resignation and pay more attention to the challenges facing Ugandans.

Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine. File Photo

Rights defenders demand Dr. Atwine's resignation (independent.co.ug)

 PRIME MINISTER TABLES LISTS OF COVID RELIEF CASH BENEFICIARIES

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja tabled before Parliament a list of beneficiaries who have received the Covid-19 relief cash.

The beneficiaries are from Kawempe Division, Nakawa Division, and Gulu City. She said that the list was meant to ensure accountability and transparency.

The list was then referred to Parliament’s Accountability Committee-PAC Central Government and the Local Government Accountability Committee by Deputy Speaker Anita Among for scrutiny and report back to parliament as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja

Prime Minister tables lists of Covid relief cash beneficiaries (independent.co.ug)

 NRM COURTS INDEPENDENT MPS TO SUPPORT GOV’T LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party is currently courting Independent Members of Parliament to support the government’s legislative agenda in the eleventh Parliament.

Thomas Tayebwa, the Government Chief Whip says that the NRM is finalizing Memorandums of Understanding –MoUs with different Independent MPs.

Speaking at the handover for the NRM parliamentary caucus executive, Tayebwa said that the government’s legislative agenda recently presented to the Parliament’s Business Committee a total of 20 bills for consideration. The NRM party has majority MPs in parliament totalling 336 members, Opposition 109 and 74 Independents.

Last week, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja presented to the Business Committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Anita Among the proposed government business in the first year of the eleventh Parliament. These include amendments to the Land Act that would see several changes to the administration of mailo land.

NRM courts Independent MPs to support gov't legislative agenda

 OPPOSITION MPS SCOFF AT NABBANJA FOR BANNING RELIEF FOOD DISTRIBUTION

 Opposition Members of Parliament have scoffed at Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja for banning the distribution of relief food by politicians during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.

Early this week, Nabbanja stated that politicians were causing people to converge as they scramble for food, which exposes them to risks of contracting COVID-19. She guided that the politicians either send out money to people’s mobile phone accounts or give the food to established COVID-19 task-forces at their respective districts, to allow for proper distribution to the needy.

But opposition legislators from the Masaka region have described the approach as improper, arguing that in the absence of a comprehensive support plan by the government, IT has left them with no alternative but to directly offer the support they can.

Bukomansimbi Woman MP Veronica Nanyondo says that because the government left out rural communities on its list of vulnerable groups that needed support, many people continue to genuinely plead with leaders for food relief. She argues that district COVID-19 taskforces are also stuck with no resources to coordinate surveillance activities.

Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga

Opposition MPs scoff at Nabbanja for banning relief food distribution (independent.co.ug)

 MOROTO PRISON BREAK MASTERMIND ARRESTED

The ring leader in Moroto prison break has been captured. A joint disarmament operation conducted by the UPDF and police captured the wanted convict in Kotido district.

Lokolikau Lochu, a resident of Katap village in Meriria parish, Kotido North division was arrested with an SMG riffle UG.POL. 56-5968030-40693 with 14 rounds of ammunition reportedly belonging to the Uganda Prisons Service.

Lochu, the mastermind of the Moroto prison break has been taken to the UPDF 3rd Division headquarters at Moroto town.

The 3rd Division Spokesperson, Captain Edwin Mawanda confirms the arrest of Lochu saying he will be taken to the court martial for trial.

Lokolikau Lochu was found in possession of a gun belonging to Uganda Prisons. URN photo

Moroto prison break mastermind arrested (independent.co.ug)

 PRINCE NAKIBINGE CALLS FOR DIALOGUE ON PROPOSED LAND REGULATIONS

Prince Kassim Nakibinge, the Titular Head of the Muslim Community in Uganda has asked the government to consider dialogue on the proposed new regulations on ownership and management of land.

Nakibinge while delivering his Eid al-Adha message on Tuesday to the Muslim community at his Palace in Kibuli, said that the new amendment will not help to solve the pending land problems in the country, but will cause more problems.

Early this year, the government through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development unveiled proposals of new regulations and laws on ownership and management of land, especially in Buganda. The then Minister of Lands, Beti Kamya said that these were intended to protect bibanja holders and bonafide occupants from being arbitrarily evicted.

President Yoweri Museveni also during the 32nd Heroes Day celebrations at Kololo Independence grounds last month described Mailo land as a very bad and evil tenure system used in the Buganda Kingdom.

Prince Nakibinge calls for dialogue on proposed land regulations (independent.co.ug)

His Highness Dr. Prince Kassim Nakibinge. File Photo

 NAKASONGOLA, LUWERO KADHIS CONDEMN TORTURE OF KATUMBA SUSPECTS

The District Kadhis for Greater Luwero Muslim districts have condemned the killings and torture of suspects accused of participating in the shooting of former Chief of Defense Forces-CDF General Katumba Wamala.

Last month, the assassins killed Katumba’s daughter Brenda Nantongo and driver Haruna Kayondo along Kisota road in Kisaasi in Nakawa division of Kampala district.

Recently, the suspects appeared before Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court with severe wounds on their bodies and are currently under treatment at Kitalya prison.

Speaking at Eid Al Adha celebrations at Kigombe mosque, the Luwero District Kadhi Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa condemned the torture and the killing of suspects saying its a violation of the right to life which can only be taken away by Allah.

Mulindwa explains that torture of suspects results in fake confessions and these can’t stand in court. Mulindwa added that the killing of suspects may also hamper the government’s effort to arrest all the people named in crimes.

Gen Katumba shooting suspects were presented in court with bruises and wounds all over their bodies. File photo

Nakasongola, Luwero Kadhis condemn torture of Katumba suspects (independent.co.ug)

 MAK STAFF EXEMPTED FROM MANDATORY CONTRIBUTIONS TO NSSF

Makerere University staff have been exempted from the mandatory contribution to the National Social Security Fund-NSSF.

The exemption has been given by the finance minister Matia Kasaija, who approved the Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme as a supranational scheme to offer retirement benefits to employees of the university.

Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme and NSSF have been fighting over the management of the staff’s retirement benefits since 2009. Upon its creation, Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme signed a trust deed with the university management agreeing that the institution would remit monthly contributions equivalent to 15 percent of each employee’s salary to NSSF.

Now the Minister says that an exemption has been granted in line with a request from the university management and a recommendation from the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority. He however advised the entities to maintain the trust deed and rules that comply with the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority Act, 2011.

Finance Minister Matia Kasaija approved the Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme-MURBS as a supranational scheme to offer retirement benefits to employees of the university. File Photo

Mak staff exempted from mandatory contributions to NSSF (independent.co.ug)

 POLICE, MAKERERE UNIVERSITY PARTNER TO OFFER MASTERS DEGREES TO COMMANDERS

The Uganda Police Force and Makerere University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to offer Masters Degrees to police commanders in peace and conflict studies.

The MoU is aimed at affiliating the police senior command and staff college at Bwebajja to Makerere University to train senior police officers in peace and conflict studies.

The director of police human resource development, Godfrey Golooba says police wants to professionalize its officers to a level that they can fit anywhere in public service.

Goloba highlights that a similar program has been existing between the police college and the United Nations University of Peace based in Costa Rica over the years.

Makerere University and the Uganda Police Force have finalised a Momerandum of Understanding (MoU) where the University will teach and award a Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies for students at the Police Senior Command and Staff College-Bwebajja

Police, Makerere University partner to offer Masters degrees to commanders (independent.co.ug)

 UHRC CALLS FOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO KILLING OF KATUMBA SHOOTING SUSPECTS

The Uganda Human Rights Commission has asked the police and other security organizations to investigate the circumstances under which suspects who were accused of attempting to kill the former Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala were killed.

Speaking to reporters on Monday at the Commission headquarters in Kampala, Meddie Mulumba, the acting chairperson said the police must come clean with a report to show how the suspects were shot because the Ugandan law presumes that suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

Mulumba also condemned the torturing of the suspects. Five suspects appeared at the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court unable to walk or sit because of the wounds they allegedly sustained as a result of torture from their captors.

Deputy IGP Lokech showing photographs of the shot dead suspects. Lokech said those shot dead attempted to resist their arrest by fighting law enforcement personnel. File Photo

UHRC calls for investigations into killing of Katumba shooting suspects (independent.co.ug)

ATTACK ON CHIEF MAGISTRATE GLADYS KAMASANYU WAS NOT A TARGET – POLICE

The police have ruled out a possibility of a targeted incident on Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu.

Kamasanyu was on Saturday attacked by assailants outside Green Hill Academy school gate as she went to collect her child’s Primary Leaving Education (PLE) result slip. The thugs also stole her belongings including the phone, handbag among other valuables.

According to the police, Kamasanyu was being trailed by the thugs who were on a boda boda before the attack.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, the Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga said the chief magistrate was attacked by thugs who always steal from vulnerable and unsuspecting people.

“This was not a targeted attack. It was a random incident based on the similar attacks we have been registering in the same areas, these are usually opportunistic thieves, because amongst the complaints we have been receiving they attack mostly vulnerable groups,” Enanga said.

Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu was attacked by thugs. URN photo

Attack on Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu was not a target - Police (independent.co.ug)

CONCLUSION 

The Human Rights Centre Uganda wishes you a great week and encourages you to keep safe as we observe all the standard operating procedures (SOPs) intended to curb Covid-19