HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO. 27 OF 2021
THE
HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)
WEEKLY
UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMERGING ISSUES WITHIN THE HRDS’ WORKING ENVIRONMENT
ISSUE
NO.27 OF 2021 | THE WEEK OF 12TH – 18TH JULY, 2021
OPENING REMARK:
Welcome to this new week where we continue to promote
and strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental
freedoms. Let’s keep in mind that as human rights defenders, we have the right
to develop and discuss new ideas meaning that we should always utilize the information
we receive to think of innovative ways of dealing with the various violations
and abuses of rights within our communities and society.
There was anxiety in the course of last week as
parents and Primary Seven leavers looked forward to receiving their Primary Leaving
Examinations results. These were released by Hon. Janet Museveni on Friday July
16, 2021. We remain hopeful that the children who completed and passed the
exams will be able to join Secondary school level in the nearest future to
further pursue their dreams in life.
COVID-19
UPDATE:
Results of COVID-19 tests done on 16 July 2021 confirm 417 new
cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 90,391.
The breakdown of the cases is Wakiso (21) Kakumiro (8) Kaliro
(7) Arua (7) Rakai (5) Kagadi (6) Kyankwanzi (5) Iganga (4) Nakasongola (4)
Sironko (4) Kiryabdongo (3) Napak (3) Nakaseke (3) Kabale (3) Kayunga (3)
Kiboga (3) Kyegegwa (2) Ntoroko (2) Hoima (2) Kamwenge (2) Masaka (2) Masindi
(2) Obongi (1) singiro (1) Mayuge (1) Amuria (1) Butambala (1) Butebo
(1) Bundibugyo (1) Manafwa (1) Bududa (1) Kiruhura (1) Amuru (2) Lira (1) Ngora
(1) Kasese (1) 1 Truck Driver from Mutukula
Source: Twitter.com, Ministry of Health: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/status/1416733750084386819
PARLIAMENT TO INVESTIGATE PRIVATE LABS
SCREENING TRAVELERS AT ENTEBBE AIRPORT
Legislators on the Parliamentary
COVID-19 Task Force have said there is need to investigate three privately
owned laboratories that are carrying out screening and testing services on
travelers at Entebbe international Airport due to irregularities in their
operations. Buikwe South MP Lulume Bayiga said the task force is set to
investigate how the companies were contracted, pay taxes, checking of quality
assurance of the tests carried out and how they account for money they collect
from the travelers among other irregularities.
Mr. Lulume made the remarks while
addressing journalists after the task force’s meeting with officials from the
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) during a visit at Entebbe International
Airport and Penniel beach testing and screening centre over the weekend.
Entebbe Municipality MP, Mr. Michael Kakembo, said the
labs in question include Safari lab, Test and fly laboratory and Case Clinic.
Source
and more information: Daily Monitor, Sunday July 18, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/parliament-to-investigate-private-labs-screening-travelers-at-entebbe-airport-3477564
UGANDA VACCINATES 5% OF TARGET POPULATION
After about four months since the Covid-19 vaccination exercise kicked
off, at least 1.07 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered,
representing about 5 per cent of the targeted population. Of the targeted 21.9
million people, 878,890 have received the first dose of AstraZeneca and another
201,053 are fully vaccinated, according to statistics from the Ministry of
Health.
According to Uganda Medical Association (UMA), vaccination is the ideal
way of dealing with the high COVID-19 hospital admissions and deaths. Dr.
Mukuzi Muhereza, the General Secretary of UMA said on Wednesday that if
vaccination against COVID-19 is done, the health system won’t be very strained;
that vaccines protect the recipients from most of the variants.” The
vaccination exercise has been adopted by most of other countries as a mechanism
to combat COVID-19.
A teacher receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine
at a health center in Kampala, capital of Uganda, March 31, 2021. Uganda
launched the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination campaign on March 10,
targeting high risk groups in the east African country. PHOTO | NICHOLAS KAJOBA
| XINHUA
Source and details: The East African, Thursday July 15, 2021: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/uganda-vaccinates-5pc-of-target-population-3474598
GULU UNIVERSITY CLAIM THEIR COVILYCE 1 CURES
COVID-19 IN 72 HOURS
Gulu University’s faculty of Bio-technology and Pharmaceutical Studies
(PharmBiotec), needs financial assistance to produce large quantities of their
Covid-19 herbal treatments.
Three weeks ago, a group of more than ten scientists at the University
started packing four different concoctions which they said they have been
administering to Covid-19 patients in the community since January 2021. The
herbs named Covilyce 1, which come in form of powder, nasal drops, (anal)
suppositories and (syrup) linctus were formulated from eight different herbs.
Dr. Alice Lamwaka, a senior lecturer at PharmBiotec revealed that they
formulated the four products basing on their knowledge of herbs used in
treating infections especially during epidemics and the fact that they already
have a unit for traditional medicines at the University. Last month, the
University said it had more than 70 potential Covid-19 herbs lined up for
testing. The procedure was however interrupted by the current lockdown.
Source and details: The Independent, Monday July
12, 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/gulu-university-alleges-covilyce-1-cures-covid-19-within-72-hours/
NEW GOVERNMENT
APPOINTMENTS:
RAMATHAN
GGOOBI NEW PS FOR FINANCE
President Yoweri Museveni has appointed new Permanent Secretaries (PSs),
with Makerere economics don Ramathan Ggoobi replacing Keith Muhakanizi at
Ministry of Finance. Muhakanizi has been moved to Office of the Prime Minister.
Geraldine Ssali is the new PS Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives
while Alex Kakooza has been moved to become the Private Secretary to the
Vice President. The Ministry of Education and Sports gets a new PS Kate Lamaro,
with Asuman Lukwago moved to head the Education Service Commission.
In other appointments, Beti Kamya is new Inspector General of Government
(IGG) while former Deputy IGG Mariam Wangadya has been appointed Head of
the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).
The changes made by President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday, also had him
retire some officers in public interest. They are Amb Patrick Mugoya, Jane
Kibirige, David Ebong, Benon Mutambia, Pius Wakabi, Kivumbi Lutaaya and Kintu
Guwatudde. The president also named new presidential advisors.
Source: The Independent, Thursday July 15, 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/ramathan-ggoobi-new-ps-for-finance/
UGANDA HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION GETS NEW BOSS
President Yoweri
Museveni on Thursday July, 15 2021 appointed Mariam Wangadya as the new Chairperson, Uganda Human
Rights Commission (UHRC). This is in line
with the powers given to the President by Article 51 (1) and (2) of the
Constitution of the Republic of Uganda to appoint the Chairperson of the
Commission.
The UHRC is a body
established by the Constitution with the core mandate of investigating human
rights violations and awarding compensation to the victims. It may be recalled
that former UHRC chairperson, Med Kaggwa passed away in November 2019.
Source and details: New Vision, Thursday July 15, 2021: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/108997
KARAMOJA DISARMAMNET:
FOUR GUNS RECOVERED ON DAY ONE OF KARAMOJA
DISARMAMENT EXERCISE
The army and the police have recovered
four guns on the first day of the second disarmament exercise in Karamoja. Brig
Joseph Balikudembe the 3rd Division UPDF Commander told the media at UPDF army
barracks on Saturday that the four guns were recovered in cordoned and search
operations in Moroto and Kotido districts. According to Brig Balikudembe, the
army is still allowing those who want to hand over their guns peacefully.
The second disarmament exercise was
requested by leaders in Karamoja after the region was thrown into another wave
of cattle rustling and ambushes by suspected Karimojong warriors. John Logiro a
cross border peace activist however says the fresh disarmament would become
meaningful if the army leadership had first collected all the guns from the
Karamojong local Defence unity personnel. Mathew
Lokut one of the human rights activist however appealed to the forces to
observe human rights during the disarmament. He says that the fresh disarmament
shouldn’t become a painful exercise for innocent people who have never held a
gun.
Source and more information: The Independent, Sunday July 18, 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/four-guns-recovered-on-day-one-of-karamoja-disarmament-exercise/
CRIME WATCH:
CHIEF MAGISTRATE
GLADYS KAMASANYU ATTACKED IN SUSPECTED ROBBERY, ADMITTED IN ICU
The
Chief Magistrate at Utilities Court-Buganda Road, Ms. Gladys Kamasanyu, was
Saturday attacked by suspected robbers who allegedly made off with her personal
effects, including her bag and mobile phone. She was attacked at Green Hill
Academy gate as she went to collect her child's Primary Leaving Education (PLE)
result slip, according to Judiciary Spokesperson Jamson Karemani.
"She was rushed to IHK and admitted in
the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where she is steadily improving. Police have
started investigations," Mr. Karemani added.
Police
said the robbers trailed her on a boda boda motorcycle before the said attack. The
case was reported to Kabalagala police division. Police say no arrests
have been made so far but they have obtained footage from the two police
cameras in the vicinity to help identify the culprits and motorcycles used.
Source
and details: Daily Monitor, Sunday July 18, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/chief-magistrate-gladys-kamasanyu-attacked-in-suspected-robbery-admitted-in-icu-3477192
RIGHT TO EDUCATION:
GOVERNMENT
SHOULD MOVE TO FIX UPE
The Uganda National Examinations
Board’s (UNEB) results release on Friday of Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE)
revealed that schools under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) had
performed so badly. Whereas 55,737 (23.9 per cent) of 236,720 (31.6 per cent)
of candidates in non UPE schools passed in Division 1, only 26,127 (5.2 per
cent) out of the 513,085 (68.4 per cent) pupils who sat for PLE in UPE schools
passed in Division 1.
Whereas 64,487 (12 per cent) of the
candidates in UPE schools failed, only 10,391 (4.5 per cent) of candidates in
non UPE schools failed. The education system had prior to the arrival of UPE
been driven to tap the best and most talented. That explains why children from
the rural areas could find their way to elite schools such as St Mary’s College
Kisubi, Busoga College Mwiri, Kings College Budo, Mt St Mary’s Namagunga and
Gayaza High School, among others.
Source and details: Daily Monitor, Sunday
July 18, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/editorial/government-should-move-to-fix-upe-3477536
ACCESS
TO JUSTICE:
COURT REMANDS MAN ACCUSED OF ANNOUNCING MUSEVENI'S
DEATH
The Chief Magistrate’s Court in
Luweero District has remanded a 23-year-old man accused of sending falsified
text messages to different individuals announcing the death of President
Museveni. Jamil Ssekyondwa appeared before Luweero Chief Magistrate, Mr Samuel
Munobe where a case of offensive communication contrary to Section 25 of the
Computer Misuse Act 2011 was read to him by State Attorney, Ms. Peace Bashabe.
It is alleged that Ssekyondwa on July
7, 2021 while at Kabunyata trading center in Kamira Sub County, Luweero
District sent messages using his known mobile phone to different people
indicating that Mr Museveni, 76, had died. Ssekyondwa also allegedly used
offending and abusive words indicating that the “dog (Museveni) was dead and
that he was very happy. Ssekyondwa, however, denied the charges brought against
him arguing that he was not aware of his alleged offence.
Source and more details: Daily Monitor,
Thursday July 15, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/court-remands-man-accused-of-announcing-museveni-s-death-3474640
SUPREME COURT STAYS RULING ON PROSECUTION
OF CIVILIANS IN ARMY COURT
The Supreme Court has issued an interim
order staying the execution of a Constitutional court ruling barring the
military court from prosecuting civilians. The order was issued Thursday by a
panel of five justices led by chief justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo following a
petition filed by the attorney general. Owiny-Dollo said that he had
listened to the arguments of both sides and found that they had raised serious
issues for which his court needed more time to internalize before a detailed
ruling is delivered.
Two weeks ago, the Constitutional court in a 3-2 majority decision ruled
that civilians cannot be subjected to military law and ordered the transfer of
their cases to civil courts within 14 days for retrial or be dealt with as
court may seem fit. Justices Kenneth Kakuru, Hellen Obura and Remmy Kasule
ruled in favour while Christopher Madrama and Steven Musota dissented.
The Supreme court also heard that the appeal challenging the decision will be
rendered useless if the orders and declarations of the Constitutional court are
not stayed until the determination of the appeal scheduled for July 29.
Source and details: The Observer, Friday July
16, 2021: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/70539-supreme-court-stays-ruling-on-prosecution-of-civilians-in-army-court
CALL TO END CORPORAL PUNISHMENT:
KINGS'
SCHOOL TEACHER REMANDED OVER BEATING TO DEATH 13-YEAR-OLD PUPIL
A former teacher at Kings’
primary school Kabowa, Peter Mubbala has been remanded to Kitalya government’s
prison for allegedly caning to death a 13-year old pupil, Athiel Beny Bol.
Mubbala a resident of Church Zone Lubaga Division in Kampala on Thursday
appeared before Grade One magistrate Patience Lorna Tukundane who charged him
with one count of rash or negligent act causing death. Court heard that on
December 9, 2020, while at Kings' school in Lubaga Division, Mubbala through a rash
and negligent act caused the death of Beny after canning her.
Beny was a primary seven candidate who was waiting to write her Primary
Leaving Examinations (PLE). It is alleged that the deceased was canned together
with other pupils for failing a science test. But Mubbala has denied the charge
and accordingly been remanded up to August 3. Shortly after taking a plea, the
prosecution led by Harriet Adong informed court that investigations into the
matter are complete.
Source
and details: The Observer, Friday July 16, 2021: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/70538-kings-school-teacher-remanded-over-beating-to-death-13-year-old-pupil
BUSINESS
AND HUMAN RIGHTS:
TRADERS BEG SECURITY OFFICERS TO ALLOW THEM OPERATE
A section of traders in downtown Kampala have resorted to pleading and
negotiating with security agencies deployed in the area to allow them to work. When
Daily Monitor visited the business district on Monday, several traders were
outside arcades and shopping malls which President Museveni ordered to be
closed on June 18 for 42 days as a measure to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Source and more information:
Daily Monitor, Tuesday July 13, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/traders-beg-security-officers-to-allow-them-operate-3471054
ACCOUNTABILITY:
MINISTRY
OF HEALTH ON THE SPOT OVER 'MISSING' AMBULANCES
The management of Mbale Regional Referral hospital has denied claims by ministry of Health officials that it was given 8 ambulances and Shs 272 million to help in the Covid-19 fight. Appearing before MPs last week, ministry of Health officials led by Minister Jane Ruth Aceng and permanent secretary Dr Diana Atwine told MPs that 8 ambulances had been dispatched to Mbale hospital in eastern Uganda to serve the region.
However, the hospital director, Dr. Emmanuel Tugaineyo informed the Covid-19 Parliamentary Committee led by Dr Patrick Mutono (Butebo County) how they are struggling to manage COVID-19 cases in the entire region with only two ambulances. Mutono said this can't be true because the ministry told MPs that they previously delivered 8 ambulances to Mbale hospital to support the management of Covid-19 cases.
But Dr. Tugaineyo insisted that they only have
two ambulances at the hospital, which they are even finding hard to manage due
to lack of money for fuel. Dr. Mutono tasked the hospital management to establish
where the six other ambulances meant for the hospital are.
Source and more details: The Observer, Thursday July 15, 2021: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/70521-ministry-of-health-on-the-spot-over-missing-ambulances
REGIONAL NEWS:
COVID-19: KIGALI UNDER TOTAL LOCKDOWN AS RWANDA
BATTLES THIRD WAVE
Rwanda has put its capital Kigali back under total lockdown for 10 days
effective July 17 as the country battles a severe third wave that has seen
fatalities increase over the last two weeks. As of Wednesday July 14 2021,
Rwanda had 14,553 active coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 17.5
percent, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. Some 607 have
succumbed to the virus while 74 people are in critical condition.
A cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on
Wednesday announced the measures, banning non-essential movements in the
capital and the districts of Gicumbi, Burera, Musanze, Kamonyi, Nyagatare,
Rwamagana, Rubavu and Rutsiro. It was stated that non-essential businesses,
churches, schools and universities shall all close. Employees will work from
home, public transport shall not operate, and movements are prohibited except
for essential reasons. The current surge in infections has mainly affected
Kigali which represents over half of reported cases, according to Rwanda
Biomedical Center’s statistics.
Source and more details: The
East African, Thursday July 15, 2021: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/kigali-total-lockdown-3473688
EA COURT STRIKES OUT SUIT AGAINST UGANDA OVER L.
VICTORIA FLOODING
The East African Court of Justice has struck out a case in
which five Kenyans sued the Ugandan government for not managing the
outflows of water from Lake Victoria which resulted in flooding. The floods
displaced people in countries on the lake basin and damaged their property.
The five had sued the government of Uganda, East African Community
Secretary General, and the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC). The matter was
struck out on the grounds that the petitioners included the Attorneys General
of Kenya and Tanzania who were not parties to the case,” read part of the judgment.
However, the petitioners are at liberty to amend their case by excluding the wrong
parties they had included.
The case was first filed in May 2020 by the five lawyers who argued that
Uganda is greatly impacting the lake by releasing more water than is allowed by
a legal agreement between Kampala and Egypt.
Source and details: The East
African, Thursday July 15, 2021: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/east-africa-court-strikes-out-suit-lake-victoria-3474806
FUEL TRUCK BLAST
KILLS 13 IN KENYA
Police
said Sunday that 13 people were killed and many others seriously burned when an
overturned petrol tanker exploded in western Kenya as crowds thronged to
collect the spilling fuel. The fuel truck collided with another vehicle and
toppled over late Saturday near Malanga, some 315 kilometres (195 miles)
northwest of Nairobi, on the busy highway between Kisumu and the border with
Uganda.
Onlookers
rushed to the scene with jerrycans but the cargo exploded, engulfing those
around in a terrible fireball. Fire crews arrived on the scene two hours later
to douse the inferno while those injured in the blast were taken to hospital.
Locals on July 18, 2021 at
the scene where a fuel tanker exploded in Malanga, Siaya County, killing 13
people who were siphoning petrol. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | Nation Media Group
Source and more information: Daily Monitor, Sunday July
18, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/fuel-truck-blast-kills-13-in-kenya-3477238
CONCLUDING
REMARK:
Peace, reconciliation and wishing each other well
in life is what The Human Rights Centre Uganda encourages us to do. We are all born
free and equal in dignity and rights implying that we need to love and respect one another
for the good of our nation and the universe. Together we live, move and have our
being.
Let's continue to follow and strictly observe all the standard operating procedures in order to curb the further spread of COVID-19. "I am safe when you are safe, you are safe when I am safe."
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