HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.32 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.31 of 2021 | Week of 23^rd to 29^th August, 2021

Welcome to the last week of August 2021! 

To some people, the month has moved so fast while to others, it was rather slow. It all depends on what we wished to attain within or at the end of it.

Quite a number of stories made news in the course of week but for purposes of the weekly contextual analysis, the following were documented for sharing with you, our esteemed reader.

COVID-19 SITUATION IN UGANDA

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 28 August 2021 confirm 93 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 119,825. The breakdown of the new cases are: 93 Alerts and contacts: Kumi (12), Kampala (16), Mbarara (6), Serere (6), Kabale (6), Kasese (5), Soroti (3), Katakwi (3), Bukedea (3), Sironko (2), Tororo (2), Bulambuli (2), Mitooma (1), Kapchorwa (1), Kamuli (1), Wakiso (1), Wakiso (17), Ngora (1), Oyam (1), Buikwe (1), Bukwo (2), Amuru (1).

Source: Ministry of Health: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/

TEACHERS EMBRACE COVID-19 VACCINATION AS DRIVE KICKS OFF IN KAMPALA

Hundreds of teachers convened at vaccination centres to get their Covid-19 jabs as the exercise kicked off in Kampala. The exercise is expected to end on August 30.

The Directorate of Education and Social Services identified 10 schools to be used as vaccination centres, two in each of the divisions in Kampala. This was to mainly ensure that all teachers are vaccinated as one of the conditions pre-set by the government for the reopening of schools. Although they were identified among key priority groups during the earlier vaccination drive, only about 10,000 teachers turned up for the jab out of a target of 550,000 teachers, leaving a huge number of teachers vulnerable to Covid-19 infections.

Dr Julius Simon Otim, the Manager Epidemiology and Disease Control at Kampala Capital City Authority KCCA, said that each vaccination centre would receive 1,000 doses of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine, one of those validated for emergency use by the World Health Organisation. According to Dr Otim, the directorate intends to vaccinate over 10,000 teachers.

Covid-19 vaccination of teachers is ongoing in Kampala till August 30

Source and details at: https://www.independent.co.ug/teachers-embrace-covid-19-vaccination-as-drive-kicks-off-in-kampala

NDA APPROVES ANOTHER COVID HERBAL SUPPLEMENTARY DRUG

The Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA) has approved another herbal drug to complement the treatment and management of Covid-19. The drug named Vidicine was unveiled in Mbarara City on Wednesday August 25 by pharmacognist Edward Kazire, the proprietor of Kazire Health Products.

According to him, a year ago, our research team embarked on a huge project aimed at finding out a complementary treatment for Covid-19, this was in response to the pandemic that befell the world. Being practitioners in the field of natural medicine, we found it important to engage in first tracking the solution to save our people.

Mr Kazire said he has capacity to manufacture 3,000 cartoons of Vidicine with about 100,000 doses in a day.

Mr Edward Kazire (right) unveils Vidicine herbal drug in Mbarara City on Wednesday. PHOTO/RAJAB MUKOMBOZI

Source and more details: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nda-approves-another-covid-herbal-supplementary-drug-3526536

RIGHTS TO WORK UNDER SAFE CONDITIONS: UGANDA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION GIVES GOV’T THREE MONTHS ULTIMATUM ON PROPOSED PLEDGES

The Uganda Medical Association-UMA has given the government three months ultimatum to provide health workers with protective gear and drugs, and fulfil other pledges to enable them to work in a conducive environment.

UMA General Secretary Dr. Mukuzi Muhereza, issued the ultimatum while addressing journalists in Fort portal tourism city on Tuesday. He explained that medics in various health units across the country have continued to risk their lives to treat COVID-19 patients without protective gears, which has continued exposing them to infection.

According to Dr. Mukuzi, medics are also perturbed by the fact that the government has continued to violate the pledges to enhance their salaries and welfare. He revealed that five major health units of their counterparts across the country have already confirmed the impending industrial action come November 6, 2021, should government fail to honour its pledges.

UMA General Secretary Dr. Mukuzi Muhereza. UMA Photo

Source and details at: https://www.independent.co.ug/uganda-medical-association-gives-govt-three-months-ultimatum-on-proposed-pledges/

QUICK ANALYSIS AND ACTION POINTS:

The fact that the Ministry of Health still shares figures of people infected with COVID-19 reveals that cases are prevalent and real in Uganda. It is therefore a call on all persons to be vigilant and take care of their personal health and safety in order to defeat the virus.

INVESTIGATING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS: NEW UHRC CHAIRPERSON, COMMISSIONERS PLEDGE SWIFT INVESTIGATIONS

The newly appointed Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) chairperson, Mariam Wangadya has committed to ensuring quick investigations for cases of human rights violations. Wangadya made the comments shortly after appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament for vetting. The committee approved Wangadya together with four other commissioners who were recently appointed by President Yoweri Museveni.

The commissioners include former Ethics and Integrity Minister Simon Lokodo, the former coordinator of the Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU), Crispin Kaheru, former Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) councilor Shifra Lukwago and former Sheema Woman MP Jacklet Atuhaire.

Speaking to journalists at Parliament, Wangadya said that she comes with experience having previously served as a Commissioner for 16 years. She also noted that the vetting process went well and that she was positive about the outcome. She promised that she would investigate each and every complaint and give redress to victims depending on the outcome of the investigations.

Newly appointed UHRC chairperson Mariam Wangadya addresses the press shortly after meeting the vetting committee of Parliament

Source and details: https://www.independent.co.ug/new-uhrc-chairperson-commissioners-pledge-swift-investigations/

ACTION POINT:

In the recent past, human rights defenders in Uganda ran several campaigns to calling on the Executive to appoint a substantive Chairperson of Uganda Human Rights Commission. Given that the position was filled and that the new Chairperson has began her work, there is need to continue collaborating with the Commission and other institutions charged with promotion and protection of human rights in order to have realization of everyone’s rights and fundamental freedoms.

RIGHT TO LIFE: ARMY INTERVENES AS MASAKA KILLINGS SURGE

The UPDF armoured brigade has joined the police force to contain the escalating murders in greater Masaka region. This follows the unexplained killings of 18 people in the region in less than two months. The killings started in early July and spiraled into this month. Some of the victims escaped with serious injuries.

Brigadier Deus Sande, the Commander of the Masaka armoured brigade says that they have launched joint operations with the police to hunt down the assailants. He explained that they have received intelligence about the racket and they are following various clues that may lead them to the killers.

The latest incident happened on Monday night when machete-wielding thugs raided Ssettaala village in Ssenya parish, in Kimaanya-Kabonera division in Masaka city and killed three people leaving another badly wounded.

Brigadier Deus Sande says they have launched joint operations with the police to hunt down the assailants. URN photo

Source and details: https://www.independent.co.ug/army-intervenes-as-masaka-killings-surge/

HUMAN RIGHTS AND NATIONAL SECURITY: OPPOSITION MPS DEMAND SECURITY DEPLOYMENT AMID RAMPART KILLINGS IN MASAKA

Members of Parliament from the Opposition have asked the government to deploy security personnel in the greater Masaka region following killings in the area by machete-wielding men. The killings started in early July and spiraled into this month. Some of the victims escaped with serious injuries and the latest incidents happened on Monday and Wednesday night.

The MPs led by the Leader of Opposition Matthias Mpuuga said that 20 people have in the past days lost their lives.

“Security as a sector eats the biggest percentage of the budget and when it comes to classified, the classified budget is a bottomless pit. So for security to complain that they do not have operational funds, we find that as a betrayal. The people of greater Masaka have been betrayed by this government because they pay their taxes, money was voted for security and all they are harvesting is death,” said Mpuuga.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday August 26, Mpuuga demanded the presence of security personnel in the area. He also tasked the Minister of Security Jim Muhwezi and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Kahinda Otafire to take up their responsibility.

LOP Mathias Mpuuga with MPs from the Masaka sub-region have addressed the press over the worrying security situation in the area

ANALYSIS AND CALL TO ACTION

No one seems to understand the motives or intentions of those carrying out gruesome murders of innocent citizens in the Greater Masaka and this has instilled great fear amongst the residents. Security Forces and leaders are appreciated for the interventions undertaken so far. However, more needs to be done to assure the affected communities of security for their lives and property. Human rights defenders in the sub region ought to continue partnering and interacting with the relevant duty bearers to see that this issue is brought to logical conclusion.

LEGISLATION: LEGAL COMMITTEE STARTS RECONSIDERATION OF SUCCESSION AMENDMENT BILL

The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee has started reconsidering the Succession Amendment Bill, 2018 that was recently returned to Parliament by President Yoweri Museveni. MPs on the Committee met with Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Administrator General Charles Kasibayo and the mover of the Bill, Rosette Mutambi Kajungu, former Mbarara Woman MP. These supported President Museveni’s position highlighted in a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament.

While approving the Bill in April 2021, Parliament introduced a new agreement of sharing property where a spouse has died intestate and Museveni has since requested that this is reconsidered. Intestate is a spouse who dies without a will and the Bill seeks to settle management of their estate.

In the Bill, parliament provided that where an intestate is survived by the spouse and a dependent relative but no lineage dependents, the spouse shall receive 80 percent and the dependent relative shall receive 20 percent of the whole property of an intestate.

However, President Museveni says that the provision is a complete departure from earlier provisions of the law and has no clear justification. Museveni argued that the provision would be unfair to dependent relatives and also create disharmony between the surviving spouse and the deceased’s relatives.

President Museveni sent the Succession Amendment Bill back to parliament for perusal

Source and details: https://www.independent.co.ug/legal-committee-starts-reconsideration-of-succession-amendment-bill/

CALL TO ACTION:

Speaking to some human rights defenders reveals that advocacy around legal frameworks plays a big role in having consideration for human rights and fundamental freedoms before a given law is passed. The Members of Parliament should always refer to the Checklist on Human Rights Compliance and also utilize and apply the human rights based approach that entails widely involving all parties who are likely to be affected by any law drafted or passed. This will go a long way in saving time and resources within the Legislative arm of government.

ENHANCING ACCESS TO JUSTICE: APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE APPROVES SEVEN NEW JUDGES

The Parliament Appointments Committee approved seven judges recently appointed by President Yoweri Museveni. The two approved Court of Appeal justices are the former Deputy Solicitor General, Christopher Gashirabake and Jinja Resident Judge, Eva Luswata.

The committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Anita Among also approved five judges of the High Court. They include the former Deputy Director of Law Development Centre, Florence Nakachwa, former Acting Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Tom Chemutai, the former Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Wagona and former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions. The others are Alice Kyomuhangi, and Lawrence Tweyanze, the former Deputy Registrar in the Department of Inspectorate of Courts.

Their approval brings the total of Court of Appeal justices to 15 and 57 High Court judges.

Appointments Committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Anita Among has today vetted presidential nominees to serve as Judges in the Court of Appeal and the High Court

Source and details at: https://www.independent.co.ug/appointments-committee-approves-seven-new-judges/

QUICK COMMENT AND CALL TO ACTION:

The appointment of judicial officers is a welcome move by and for all human rights defenders in Uganda because advocacy around matters and issues of access to justice require that the institutions in place must be adequate enough in terms of facilities, financial and human resources. It can only be required that human rights defenders shall continue to work closely with the newly appointed judges (who are also human rights defenders) to ensure that justice is served to all those seeking it.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND ELECTIONS: YOUTH COALITION OUTLINES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING ELECTORAL PROCESS

The Youth Election Observation Mission for the 2021 general elections called on the Independent Electoral Commission to make certain things right for the country to hold future events better.

In a statement released recently, the coalition observed human rights violations by security agencies, delays in delivery of voting materials, little consideration for special interest groups like people with disabilities, improper printing of voting materials, hiking of media space costs due to COVID-19 pandemic standard operating procedures, internet shutdown and more as the irregularities before, during and after the election day.

As a result, the group wants the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to ensure adequate training for electoral staff on the polling procedure including the audit of materials delivered, set up of the polling station. This would ensure secrecy and easy access to people with disabilities.

Martin Wanzala (left) speaking to journalists while releasing the statement in Kampala

Source and details at: https://www.independent.co.ug/youth-coalition-outlines-recommendations-for-improving-electoral-process/

CALL TO ACTION:

It was captured in this write up that the group is also calling for the revision of the law to allow for the set up of online system for eligible voters to update their voting particulars using an easily supportive mechanism at any time before the finalization of the register. Monitoring, documentation and reporting coupled with follow up of recommendations from such processes like elections becomes an important part of advocacy and calling on the relevant authorities to work towards addressing existing gaps for purposes of future elections.

REGIONAL NEWS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

51 AFGHANS ARRIVE AT ENTEBBE AIRPORT AS SEVERAL UGANDANS TRAPPED IN KABUL

Fifty one Afghan evacuees arrived at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda Wednesday August 25 2021 following an August 15 Taliban takeover in Kabul.

‘‘The evacuees who included women and children arrived aboard a privately chartered plane and underwent necessary security screening as well as mandatory Covid-19 testing and the required quarantine procedures,‘’ the Foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

The first batch of Afghan nationals was received by the US Ambassdaor to Uganda, Ms. Natalie E. Brown whose official car was seen exiting Airport premises before buses carrying the refugees left Nas handling services at the facility. 

Available information shows that they had been booked into Imperial Resort Beach hotel, Entebbe Municipality in Central Uganda. However, scores of Ugandan nationals remain trapped in the now militant led Afghanistan ‘‘due to the challenges of accessing the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.’' 

This picture taken on August 25 shows the Afghans as they are driven in a government bus in Uganda, early Wednesday morning. PHOTO/PAUL ADUDE

ANALYSIS AND CALL TO ACTION:

The State of Uganda is sovereign and has autonomy in its relations with international community. It is important to give all matters rational thought and weigh the opportunities visa vis the challenges they bring or raise. It is believed that the decision to bring in and host the evacuees was reached after great consideration and therefore, human rights defenders can continue to analyse the uniqueness of the situation and where need be, make appropriate suggestions or proposals to government on how best this should be handled.

CONCLUDING REMARK

The Human Rights Centre Uganda joins other human rights defending organizations and institutions in Uganda to call on everyone whether individually or in association with others to promote and strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In the same vein, the call still stands to conduct work and interventions with strict adherence to the standard operating procedures and guidelines from the Ministry of Health so as to minimize or combat the further spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Wishing you a fruitful week.