HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.33 OF 2021

 

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)

WEEKLY UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMERGING ISSUES WITHIN THE HRDS’ WOKING ENVIRONMENT

WEEK OF 30^TH AUGUST TO 5^TH SEPTEMBER 2021

Welcome to the month of September 2021!

Thank you for the continued effort and zeal in promoting and striving for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Uganda.

You will note and notice that the more we do our work peacefully, within the law and within well defined contexts, the more we win together as key actors whether individually or in association with others – whether in civil society/NGO sector or government/State ministries, departments and agencies. Ultimately, we are working towards a society where everyone’s rights and fundamental freedoms can re respected, promoted, protected and realized.

Below are some of the updates from the week of August 30 to September 5, 2021:

COVID-19 RELATED NEWS

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 3 September 2021 confirm 115 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 120,581. The breakdown of the new cases are: 115 Alerts and Contacts: Kampala (21), Oyam (14), Apac (9), Kazo (9), Wakiso (15), Ngora (5), Kumi (4), Kiryandongo (4), Mukono (3), Masaka (3), Kaberamaido (3), Kotido (3), Mayuge (2), Soroti (2), Gulu (2), Buliisa (2), Kabale (3), Kalungu (2) Mityana (2), Busia (1), Mbarara (1), Rukungiri (1), Napak (1), Adjumani (1), Manafwa (1), Kiboga (1).

Details at: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/

Please note that COVID-19 Vaccination will take place from 6th to 10th September at different sites in Kampala. Information can be found at: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/status/1434472905832898560/photo/1  

RIGHT TO EDUCATION:

SCHOOLS MUST REORGANIZE BEFORE OPENING – GOVERNMENT

The Government has asked parents to stay calm and patient as they find better strategies towards the reopening of schools. Information minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said there are many proposals which the national COVID-19 taskforce and the government need to analyse, in order to come up with a lasting solution to the challenge. He asked the public to disregard the circulating news of the government’s plan to re-open schools in the next two weeks.

“I saw a newspaper reporting that schools will be opening in two weeks’ time. That is not correct,” he said. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/schools-to-reopen-in-next-two-weeks-3532184

While appearing on Urban TV’s Rush Hour morning show on Wednesday 1^st September 2021, Baryomunsi said much as the government wants to reopen schools, there are many issues that need to be considered, to avoid the resurgence of COVID-19 cases as it happened when they reopened the schools last year.

He said the technical committee comprising of scientists and the ministries of health and education, has developed several proposals which are yet to be presented to the national COVID-19 taskforce and the Cabinet for discussion before any decision is made. Baryomunsi, however, stressed that the days of reopening the schools might not be far, but that the focus now is on vaccination. He said they will not rush to open schools without clear safety measures.

Source and details: New Vision: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/113823

ANALYSIS AND COMMENT:

It is the desire of every child and parent to see that schools get reopened and formal learning taking shape. The continued closure of schools has not only affected the right to education https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/44038/90491/F206329993/UGA44038.pdf but also the employment sector where those who qualified as teachers on the one hand and private schools owners on the other have had to bear the pain of loss of jobs and income.

Human Rights Defenders have the opportunity to strengthen advocacy in this regard while at the same time proposing appropriate and safe initiatives and measure to government that will ensure the safety of the learners and school staff against the prevalence and likely effects of COVID-19.

NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE RIGHT TO LIFE:  THE MASAKA QUESTION

‘PIGS’ KILLING UGANDANS IN MASAKA ARE FINISHED- MUSEVENI

President Museveni once again voiced outrage at criminals he described as pigs- that have viciously killed close to 30 Ugandans in just one month.

‘‘You are a pig. There are people who miscalculate and think they can disturb Uganda. That's deception because there's no force that can defeat Uganda and NRM militarily and politically,’’ he said. Security records indicate majority of the slayed are individuals aged over 50 with most attacked from their homes during wee hours. There’s no strategy. You’re finished now. They are bankrupt. It’s unfortunate that they have caused death of these old people,’’ he said.

For the first time in more than a week, Masaka Sub-region overnight Monday 30^th August 2021 did not report any fatality related to the horrifying attacks executed by persons whose agenda is still anonymous to security forces.  

‘‘We can mobilize a force of even up to 500, 000 people. There’s no man power we cannot mobilize to defend the country,’’ Mr. Museveni reacted.

President Museveni gestures while he presided the pass-out of 364 Uganda Prison Service Cadets at Kololo in Kampala, August 31. PHOTO/MICHEAL KAKUMIRIZI

Source and details at: Daily Monitor Tuesday August 31, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/-pigs-killing-ugandans-in-masaka-are-finished-museveni-3532866

MASAKA KILLINGS ARE SPONSORED, POLICE SAY

The groups behind the killings of people in Greater Masaka area are organised and sponsored by individuals that are yet to be discovered, police have said.

At least 28 people have been killed in Masaka City and Lwengo District since late July.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said 15 suspects, who have admitted to the killings, have been arrested.

“They have given us valuable information; where they were recruited from, where they held meetings. These are planned activities. We shall be able to find out the sponsors of these activities,” Mr Enanga said yesterday at the police headquarters at Naguru, Kampala.

Residents in Greater Masaka have been in panic since last month when the attacks started. Most of the victims are elderly people, who are hit with blunt objects on the head. Some were hacked with machetes.

Mr. Enanga said the information they had obtained from the suspects would be able to lead them to the planners and sponsors of the killings. Police detectives have ruled out monetary benefits or land wrangles since suspects do not take anything from their victims. Besides, those targeted are at the lowest of the economic ladder.

The police spokesperson, Mr. Fred Enanga. PHOTO/RACHEL AJWANG

Source and details: Daily Monitor, Tuesday August 31, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/masaka-killings-are-sponsored-police-say-3532238  

Also see:

Some of the victims of the Masaka Killings: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/some-of-the-victims-of-the-masaka-killings-3533628

Masaka murders: One killed, another survives with severe injuries: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/masaka-murders-one-killed-another-survives-with-severe-injuries-3534946  

DEPUTY SPEAKER AMONG CALLS FOR PROTECTION OF UGANDANS LIVING NEAR GAME PARKS

The Deputy Speaker Anita Among directed the Minister of State for Tourism (Wild life and Antiquities), Martin Mugarura to prioritise the safety of locals living around game parks, saying their livelihoods have been affected by the wildlife.

While chairing plenary sitting on 1^st September 2021, Among faulted the Ministry of Tourism for delaying to address the challenges faced by people living around national game parks. Among also rejected the request by the Minister, asking for two weeks to develop a plan, arguing that there is need for an immediate intervention to save lives.

“If it means that you have to fence off the area, then do it. Two weeks is a long time yet people are being killed by animals and hunger because animals are destroying their crops,” she said.

The Speaker’s directive follows a matter of national importance raised by Lokwang Phillips (NRM, Napore West County) who said that the wild animals are destroying crops and killing people.

Deputy Speaker Anita Among

Source and details at: The Independent, Thursday September 2, 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/deputy-speaker-among-calls-for-protection-of-ugandans-living-near-game-parks/

QUICK ANALYSIS AND COMMENT

National security is very important for peace, development and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It disheartens to know that there are people who are working against this and therefore, it remains the duty of human rights defenders to continually speak out against such societal evils and advocate for peace and good coexistence. The right to life is protected under Article 22 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/44038/90491/F206329993/UGA44038.pdf Therefore, anyone found to violate or abuse this right must be brought to book or held accountable.

KEY EMERGING ISSUES:

SAVERS AND ACCESS TO THEIR SAVINGS: UNSOLVED MIDTERM ACCESS FOR SAVERS AWAITS NEW NSSF BOARD

A new board that will play an oversight role over the multi-billion dollar National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has been appointed to steer the fund facing questions, especially, on benefits access for members.

Mr. Peter Kimbowa, a corporate governance and management expert, will chair the 10-member team tasked with steering “the Fund through a transition as it positions itself to play a major role in the expansion of social security coverage and expanding the long-term savings space in Uganda”.  He replaces Patrick Byabakama Kaberenge, who served the maximum two terms. 

The key question for the fund is the controversial mid-term access for members. While there is overwhelming public support to allow members who are 45 years and above and have contributed to the fund for 10 years to access up to 20 per cent of the benefits, regulators and management have been less enthusiastic. 

Although President Museveni has expressed willingness to sign onto the mid-term access, he has been less assertive on the decision stalling on procedural issues. Last month, NSSF management asked Parliament to split the current Fund into two to provide for workers who would want to have midterm access to their savings.

Finance minister Matia Kasaija (left) and NSSF managing director Richard Byarugaba during the NSSF annual meeting on September 28, 2019. PHOTO/FILE

Source and more details at: Daily Monitor, Thursday September 2, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/unsolved-midterm-access-for-savers-awaits-new-nssf-board-3535004  

ANALYSIS AND QUICK COMMENT:

What are the benefits meant for anyway? Whose are they? What is it in the proposed legislation that will enable savers access their benefits at the proposed time? These are some of the questions that should be answered by all of us and as we continue to watch the space and analyse the context. We can only hope that NSSF Management and Parliament shall continue to apply the Human Rights Based Approach and its tenets to the resolution of this issue as we also hope the cause of the savers will be given utmost urgency and consideration.

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY MAIN BUILDING TO BE DEMOLISHED

Minister of ICT Chris Baryomunsi announced that Cabinet had resolved to demolish what remains of the burnt Makerere University main building, and rebuild it.

“Cabinet decided that the Makerere main building be demolished and rebuilt. We have also directed the Minister of finance to release sh21 billion for the reconstruction of this main building,” he told the press today.

The Cabinet decision comes months after recommendations made late last year by a committee that was set up to study and assess the structural integrity of the burnt Makerere University main building. The committee recommended that the entire building be demolished.

The iconic building, also known as the Ivory Tower, was gutted by a mysterious fire on September 19th sending a shock wave across the country, as history spanning close to eight decades was reduced to ashes. Days after the dark day, the University Council announced a restoration plan. However, there was a need to understand the integrity of the structure before a decision on the scope of the work could be taken.

Makerere University main building on fire in September last year. PHOTO VIA @MakerereU

Source: The Independent, Tuesday September 31, 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/makerere-university-main-building-to-be-demolished/

QUICK ANALYSIS AND COMMENT:

For anyone who went through Makerere University and those currently undertaking their studies at the Institution of Learning, the imagination is whether the rebuilt Ivory Tower will live up to its ‘former’ glory. Human rights defenders may continue to be part of discussions that will ensure that there is timely allocation and utilization of resources for the purpose for which they will be devoted – the reconstruction of Makerere University Main Building. The other advocacy area is to see that the rebuilding happens within the scheduled time.

REGIONAL NEWS

INTERNET CUT OFF IN SOUTH SUDAN AFTER CALLS FOR STREET PROTESTS

Internet services in South Sudan were disrupted on Monday and security forces were deployed on the streets, which were quieter than usual as residents sheltered inside after activists had called for protests against President Salva Kiir's government. With Kiir scheduled to address lawmakers at parliament's opening session on Monday morning, a coalition of activist groups reiterated their call on Sunday for public rallies demanding he resigns.

However, there was no sign early on Monday of major street gatherings in the capital Juba. Some activists told Reuters they were in hiding for security reasons. Police said the activists had not sought permission to protest, and therefore any large demonstration would be illegal.

In televised remarks to an elite unit on Sunday, deputy inspector general of police Lt Gen James Pui Yak said authorities would not "harm anybody" to break up demonstrations.

Residents in Juba told Reuters that as of Sunday evening mobile data was unavailable on the network of South African mobile operator MTN Group, and by Monday morning it was also halted on the network of Kuwait-based operator Zain Group.

Activist Jame David Kolok, whose Foundation for Democracy and Accountable Governance is one of the groups that called for the demonstration, told Reuters that the internet shutdown was a sign "the authorities are panicking." The activists accuse Kiir's government of corruption and failing to protect the population or provide basic services. Kiir's government has repeatedly denied allegations from rights and advocacy groups of abuses and corruption.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir

Source: The Observer Monday August 30, 2021: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/71034-internet-cut-off-in-south-sudan-after-calls-for-street-protests

QUICK THOUGHT AND COMMENT:

Human rights defenders and civil and political rights activists have always acted as and indeed been trumpets that sound warnings to governments to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and fundamental freedoms for their citizens. Comparisons must be made regarding rights and freedoms on the African continent and therefore continue to have joint advocacy initiatives as human rights defenders not only at national but regional and international levels to call for an end to infringement on the rights of citizens. Whenever there are to be limitations of rights, they must be justifiable.

CONCLUDING REMARK:

The year is drawing in very fast. Accordingly, HRCU appreciates all human rights defenders and partners for their resilience over the last eight months of 2021 and urge them to strengthen networking, collaboration and information sharing as this will strengthen efforts towards promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

... Wishing you a fruitful week ...