HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.35 OF 2021

 

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)

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

ISSUE NO.35 OF 2021 | WEEK OF 13TH TO 19TH SEPTEMBER 2021

Welcome to a new week!

It is good that we completed the past week despite the challenges that were met. 

On Tuesday 14th September 2021, news was spread or received of the death of Ms. Juiet Ebil, a focal and vocal human rights defender in Lira district/Lango sub region. She was working as Team Leader/Programme Manager at the Lira based Facilitation for Peace and Development (FAPADhttps://fapaduganda.org/team/ebil-juliet/Juliet will be remembered as a resilient human rights defender who loved working with everyone and who prioritized the promotion of democracy, good governance and human rights promotion, protection and realization for all. She was laid to rest on Saturday 18th September 2021 in Kole district. May her soul continue to rest in everlasting peace.

Please see: https://tndnewsug.com/2021/09/15/akena-leads-upc-in-mourning-archbishop-lwanga-ebil-and-bmk/  

On Saturday 18th September 2021, worshippers from all walks of life thronged Namungoona Hill, the home of St Nicholas Cathedral, to pay homage to Orthodox Archbishop Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga, a fearless prelate, who died on September 5. After waiting for two weeks, with the help of President Museveni, the body finally arrived from Athens, Greece, where the archbishop succumbed to prostate cancer. 

Please read details at: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/sombre-mood-as-archbishop-lwanga-starts-final-journey--3555420

Quick comment:

The demise of such great human rights defenders reminds each of us of our calling and practice of continued advocacy and participation in causes within our society that call for the respect, promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms. We ought to leave the world a better place than we found it.

COVID-19 NEWS UPDATES

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 18th September 2021 confirm 65 new cases. The cumulative number of confirmed cases stood at 122,277 with the breakdown being 63 Alerts and Contacts; Ngora (16), Soroti (7), Kumi (6), Tororo (4), Kampala (6), Napak (3), Amuria (3), Pader (2), Kaberamaido (2), Kotido (2), Bududa (1), Maracha (1) Terego (1), Nakasongola (1), Yumbe (1), Kalaki (1), Manafwa (1) Wakiso (5), Amuru (1) 2 Truck drivers from Kyotera.

Source and more information at: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/

THE NEED TO SUPPORT FRONTLINE WORKERS: MEDICS COMPLAIN AS COVID-19 ALLOWANCES DELAY

Medical workers in Kitgum District are unhappy over the delayed payment of their allowances as frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19. The government disbursed shillings 407 million to Kitgum District in July this year to facilitate emergency responses in the fight against COVID-19. With the disbursement, the District taskforce had allocated shillings 13.5 million for the case management, shillings 8.4 million for surveillance, and shillings 9 million for Laboratory, to facilitate frontline health workers in combating the contagion. But nearly three months later, none of the Committees in the District taskforce have received payment.

While speaking at a weekly taskforce meeting, Dr. Geoffrey Okello, the acting Medical Superintendent of Kitgum General Hospital who also doubles as the head of case management on Friday told Uganda Radio Network (URN) that the delayed payment is grossly affecting their work.

Source and details at: The Independent, Sunday 19th September 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/medics-complain-as-covid-19-allowances-delay/

TESTING MESS AT ENTEBBE CAUSES 90% TOURIST CANCELLATIONS - TOUR OPERATORS

A cross-section of tour operators have cried out to government to clean up the Covid-19 testing mess at Entebbe International Airport, saying it is costing the country 90 per cent of tourist booking cancellations.

In a press conference at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Thursday 16th September 2021, the tour operators urged the government to remove the Covid-19 test for arriving tourists who have been vaccinated and tested negative from their home countries. The complaints come hot on the heels of the high charges for the Covid-19 test at the airport. There have also been complaints over fake positive Covid-19 results that are used for extortion purposes, the poor conditions at the testing venue and criticisms that those that handle the process have no interpersonal relations etiquette.

Passengers who arrived in Uganda aboard a Kenya Airways flight recently line up to make payments for Covid-19 tests at Peniel Beach Hotel in Entebbe. PHOTO/Stephen Otage

Source and details at: The Monitor, Saturday September 18, 2021: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/testing-mess-at-entebbe-causes-90-tourist-cancellations-3554446

Quick comment and call to action:

COVID-19 is real, let’s do all we can to stay safe. Let’s all continue to observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs) including regularly washing hands with clean water and soap or sanitizing, wearing face masks while in public places, keeping or maintaining social distance and taking and completing vaccination against the deadly pandemic.

The human rights defenders’ fraternity calls for continued vigilance by the State and all citizens so as to avoid being taken for granted or exploited by some opportunists who pretend to be working towards fighting or offering support to combat the pandemic. Stringent action ought to be taken against such unscrupulous persons.  

RIGHT TO EDUCATION: COURT DISMISSES PETITION SEEKING TO BLOCK KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY GRADUATION

The High court in Kampala dismissed an application seeking to block the 17th graduation ceremony of Kyambogo University. The decision arose from an application filed on 14th September by 45 students who sought a halt to the graduation ceremony fixed for 21st to 23rd September 2021 because their names were missing from the list of graduands.

The students, led by Keneth Masereka, stated that they had successfully pursued different courses at Kyambogo and passed all the subjects undertaken according to the information on their respective student portals run and managed by the University. However, their names were missing from the lists that were released through the different department heads.

They asked court to grant them an interim injunction restraining the university from holding the graduation ceremony in order to save them from suffering irreparable damages. But their application was dismissed by principal judge Dr. Flavian Zeija on grounds that the affidavit supporting it was not signed before a Commissioner of Oaths.

Source and details: The Observer, Saturday September 18, 2021: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/71249-court-dismisses-petition-seeking-to-block-kyambogo-university-graduation

Quick comment and call to action

The right to fair hearing is duly catered for under Article 28 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and the rights to freedom of expression, opinion, assembly are found in Article 29. Courts have the discretion to determine cases after listening to all parties involved. The call is that in the determination of all matters before them, fairness and impartiality should always prevail before/in the courts of law.

MASAKA KILLINGS: FOUR MORE SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN KAMPALA

The Uganda Police said they arrested four additional suspects in Kampala in connection to the brutal killings in the greater Masaka region. Addressing journalists at police headquarters Naguru, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said they had arrested four suspects who are part of the criminal gang that was hired to execute the killings. In the previous week, four suspects; Kabuye Faizo, 27, Frank Tamale, 32, Bernard Musumba, 22 and Badril Kilenga were charged with the murder of Sulaiman Kayemba who is among the 26 victims of panga wielding assailants.

Without mentioning details of the suspects, Enanga said during the expanded investigations, four other suspects linked to the same killings in Masaka were picked-up in various parts of Makindye in Kampala over the weekend and they would be transferred to Masaka anytime for charges. He added that they were continuing to pursue all investigative leads and tracking down the remaining culprits who form part of the vicious gang behind the attacks in Greater-Masaka region districts.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga confirmed report

Source and details at: The Independent, Monday September 13, 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/masaka-killings-four-more-suspects-arrested-in-kampala/

Call to action:

Human rights defenders are called upon to continue speaking out against acts that amount to infringement of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the citizens. The media is a strong ally and should be utilised to voice and publish campaigns against murder(s) of innocent citizens. The State ought to take all appropriate action.

PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS | SPEAKER: NSSF MID-TERM ACCESS BILL HAS TO BE RE-INTRODUCED

On Friday 17th September 2021, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah ruled that all bills passed by the 10th Parliament but had not yet been assented to by the President had automatically lapsed. He told Parliament that all the bills that had lapsed both Government and Private had to be reintroduced. This includes the NSSF bill on midterm access that despite securing a change of heart from President Yoweri Museveni in August, it had not been formally assented to.

President Museveni last month agreed to the workers mid-term access to their saving in the National Social Security fund but directed the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development Betty Amongi to make changes to the NSSF bill and return it for consent.

Speaker Oulanyah flanked by deputy Anitah Among in parliament today. PHOTO PARLIAMENT MEDIA

Source and details at: The Independent, Friday September 16, 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/speaker-nssf-mid-term-access-bill-has-to-be-re-introduced/

Also see:

NSSF Bill, eleven others set to be tabled afresh: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nssf-bill-eleven-others-set-to-be-tabled-afresh-3553728  

Quick comment and call to action:

Parliament has Rules of Procedure that guide its business. The ruling by the Speaker of Parliament of reintroducing the Bills that hadn’t been passed by the 10th Parliament or assented to by the President means that some time will have to be created and more financial resources have to be secured and allocated towards advocacy for the passing of the Bills. Human Rights Defenders ought to continue “pushing for passing of legislation that promotes and protects human rights and recognize the work and rights of human rights defenders in Uganda.

RIGHT TO LIFE | ACCESS TO JUSTICE: MURDER MYSTERY REMAINS AS ASIO ONEBE BURIED IN KABERAMAIDO

The remains of Immaculate Mary Blessings Asio Angolonam Onebe have been laid to rest in Abalang Village, Ochero Town Council in Kaberamaido District. Asio’s body was discovered in a septic tank on 9th September, 2021 at her matrimonial home in Muyenga, Kampala. She went missing on 6th January, 2021 and the search for her whereabouts continued by the police and relatives until September.

But even after her body was found in the septic tank in her matrimonial home, her husband, Francis Onebe told the police that the body was not that of his wife. This prompted the police to conduct a DNA test to identify the body. The results turned out positive. After the DNA confirmation, relatives went to pick the body from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) morgue at Mulago and the body transported to her relatives’ home in Ochero on Friday.

The Minister for Teso Affairs, Dr. Clement Ongalo Obote Obote asked government to expedite investigations into the matter for justice to be served to the family.

“Nobody is allowed to take another person’s life for whatever reason. We ask the police to do their work deligently to serve justice in this case. I request the family to remain calm and allow the law to take its course,” he said at the burial.

Source and details: The Independent, Sunday September 19, 2021: https://www.independent.co.ug/murder-mystery-remains-as-asio-onebe-buried-in-kaberamaido/

Also see:

·         DNA report confirms body retrieved from Onebe's septic tank is of his wife: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/71239-dna-report-confirms-body-retrieved-from-onebe-s-septic-tank-is-of-his-wife  

·         DNA confirms body retrieved from Munyonyo septic tank is missing Immaculate Onebe: https://www.independent.co.ug/dna-confirms-body-retrieved-from-munyonyo-septic-tank-is-missing-immaculate-onebe/  

·         Onebe denies hiring maid as police discover second body remains from septic tank: https://www.independent.co.ug/onebe-denies-hiring-maid-as-police-discover-second-body-remains-from-septic-tank/  

CIVIC SPACE | SWEDEN: CONTINUED CLOSURE OF DGF HURTING UGANDANS

The Swedish Ambassador to Uganda Maria Håkansson said that the continued closure of the Democratic Governance Facility-DGF is greatly affecting communities that were beneficiaries of its activities.

DGF, the single biggest donor basket established by development partners was suspended early this year after President Yoweri  Museveni accused the Ministry of Finance of irregularly authorizing funding, to a tune 500 billion Shillings, to be operated exclusively by foreign missions in Uganda. He said that the approval of DGF operations, without government oversight tantamount to surrendering the sovereignty of the people of Uganda to foreign interests.

The suspension however crippled activities of several organizations, the majority of which are engaged in promoting accountability, good governance, human rights, democracy, service delivery monitoring and capacity building. Since then, there have been protracted negotiations between countries that fund DGF and the government and it’s not yet known how far these talks have gone.

However, Maria Håkansson said they are hopeful that the talks that they are currently involved in with the government will end up with the reopening of DGF. She was speaking at Sheraton Kampala Hotel during celebrations to mark The International Day of Democracy, celebrated around the world to encourage governments to strengthen and consolidate democracy.

FILE PHOTO: Uganda’s foreign affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Odongo recently met Swedish Ambassador Carina Hakansson. She Friday warned about effects of the DGF ban

GULU HOTELS BARRED FROM HOSTING SALEH’S VISITORS OVER UNPAID BILLS

Dennis Odwong Odongping the Gulu Resident City Commissioner has warned all hotels in the city not to receive people claiming to be guests of Gen. Salim Saleh, the national coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) without permission from his military assistant.

In a letter dated 13th September, 2021, Odongping directed all hotels to seek official reservations from Saleh's military aide Col. Jimmy Nkojo. He also provided Nkojo’s contact. He noted that they had continued to receive information that some hotel owners were continuing to accommodate people purporting to be Saleh’s guests despite their caution. The RCC warned that reservations not approved by Saleh’s military adviser would not be considered.

Saleh is currently camped at Gulu and has a residence in the UPDF 4th Division Barracks which has recently been the centre of high profile visits by senior government officials, investors, artistes, and other guests. Because of the large number of guests, most of them have since been booked in hotels as they wait for days or even weeks to see him.

Source and details: The New Vision, Sunday September 19, 2021: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/115130/gulu-hotels-barred-from-hosting-salehs-visito

CONCLUDING REMARK

At the start and end of each week, it remains important to take stock of the key issues that arose or continue to arise within the working environment of human rights defenders in Uganda. This helps us not only to remain informed but also to think of, put in place and implement relevant approaches to address the challenges that emerge from time to time. 

 

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