HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.38 OF 2021

 

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)

WEEKLY UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMMERGING ISSUES WITHIN THE HRDS’ WORKING ENVIROMENT

WEEK OF 4^TH TO 10^TH OCTOBER 2021

The Human Rights Centre Uganda continues to monitor, document and share updates within the working environment of human rights defenders in Uganda. By way of reminder, human rights are natural entitlements that accrue to EVERYONE by virtue/reason of being human. A human rights defender is ANYONE who individually or in association with others promotes or strives for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national, regional and international level.

It is our calling and duty as human rights defenders to be watchdogs for human rights meaning that we have to constantly and consistently speak out against situations or circumstances that involve violation and abuse of anyone’s rights and fundamental freedoms.

Below are some of the stories that were documented from last week, beginning with an update on COVID-19.

COVID-19 UPDATES

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 9 October 2021 confirm 90 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 124,736. The breakdown of the new cases are: 90 Alerts And Contacts: Soroti (14), Oyam (9), Kampala (26), Bududa (6), Pader (5), Ngora (4), Bukedea (3), Nakaseke (3), Rukiga (2), Kabale (2), Kalaki (2), Bunyangabu (2), Napak (2), Kumi (2), Kiryandongo (1), Nakapiripirit (1), Bulambuli (1), Kamuli (1), Rakai (1) Wakiso (2), Amuru (1).

Source and more details: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/

In addition to the existing designated vaccination sites, mass COVID-19 Vaccination will take place in the following areas starting Monday 11 October 2021: Kololo Airstrip, City Square, Old Taxi Park, Namboole Stadium and Mayor’s Garden, Entebbe.

Source: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/status/1447105580737470468  

UGANDA RECEIVES MORE DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINES

A total of 196,800 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine procured with funding from Government of Uganda has arrived into the country. The consignment was officially received by the Permanent Secretary

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 05 October 2021 confirm 64 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 124,254. It should also be noted that Ugandans have greatly embraced and participated in the vaccination campaign.

Source: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/status/1446202836052754433

COVID-19 is still real. We all ought to keep on adhering to the standard operating procedures as laid down by the Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation that is wash hands regularly with soap and clean water; sanitize; wear a face mask and maintain social distance while in public places/spaces.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE: CHIEF JUSTICE LIFTS BAN ON EXECUTION OF COURT ORDERS

Chief justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo directed all courts to receive and process applications for execution that had been delayed due to COVID-19 lockdown effectiveOctober11. In his October 5^th Circular, Owiny-Dollo directed registrars and magistrates to ensure the authenticity of the court judgments, orders and decrees before they process them for execution in accordance with the relevant laws and practices.

It may be recalled that on September 22, 2021, President Yoweri Museveni eased the lockdown, which also saw the suspension of the execution of judgment orders. While easing the lockdown, Museveni also reopened churches and mosques. He also increased the number of people at public events from 20 to 200 people.

Owiny-Dollo said that he had also decided to lift the ban he had previously put on the execution of court orders so as to balance the interests of justice of all persons who have sought justice in court and to enable litigants to realize the fruits of their judgment after a long and costly protracted hearing phase.

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dolo

RIGHT TO HEALTH, COMBATING MALARIA: MALARIA VACCINE COULD BE AVAILABLE FOR UGANDANS IN 2 YEARS – MOH

It may take two years for Ugandans to access the malaria vaccine that was approved on Wednesday by the World Health Organization-WHO, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Thursday.

The vaccine dubbed as “Mosquirix” which was developed by GlaxoSmithKline in 1987, is the first jab against the mosquito-borne illness that kills over 400,000 people each year (According to), primarily African children. The four-dose vaccine was approved after an assessment of a pilot programme in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi where it was established that it was found to be about 50 per cent effective in protecting against the deadliest malaria parasite found in Africa.

The vaccine that is being recommended for use in countries with high transmission rates is supposed to be delivered in four doses in children between ages five months and three years hence a huge step into the promotion and protecting for Health rights, and children’s rights and the UN Sustainable Development Goal No.3 of Good health.

Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/malaria-vaccine-could-be-available-for-ugandans-in-2-years-moh/

Also see: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/6/who-reccomends-rollout-of-malaria-vaccine-for-african-children

RIGHTS OF WOMEN: GENDER MINISTER, HON. PEACE MUTUUZO LAUNCHES A CRACK DOWN ON FEMALE GENITAL MUTITALION (FGM)

On the 04^th October 2021, according to daily monitor a local newspaper, the state Minister for Gender and culture Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, while in Sebei region, launched sting crackdown on the people/ communities still practicing Female Genital Mutilation FGM also commonly known as “local surgeons” It should be noted that FGM as a practice is described as a total violation On Women’s rights, Respect for human Dignity according to (Article 24 Uganda Constitution),Gender equality and undermines the achievement, advocacy of the UN SDGS No. 5.  Therefore, this clearly shows that HRDS and the state actors need to do more to curb the vice.

The crackdown comes after the resumption of the practice with an increase in cases of FGM, especially in Bukwo, which has risen from 3 percent in 2019 to around 20 percent in 2021, according to district officials.  In other neighboring districts such Kween and Kapchorwa, the vice has risen to 10 percent.

The State minister for Gender and Culture, Ms Peace Mutuuzo (in white t-shirt), dances with locals during an anti-FGM cross-border meeting at Tulwo Cell in Riwo Town Council, Bukwo District, last Friday. PHOTO/FRED WAMBEDE

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/minister-orders-hunt-for-fgm-surgeons-in-bukwo-3572076

THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR BAIL: HELL OVER BAIL

President Yoweri Museveni resurrected debate on courts granting bail and said he would mobilise and solve the issue politically.

President Yoweri Museveni has resurrected debate on courts granting bail and says he will now mobilise and solve the issue politically.

Speaking on September 27 during the 4^th Memorial Lecture of the former Chief Justice, Benedicto Kiwanuka, held at the headquarters of the Judiciary in Kampala, Museveni said getting bail should not be a constitutional right.

It was a bold statement considering that Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka was dragged from his chambers and killed allegedly for granting a suspect bail against the wishes of then-president Idi Amin Dada. And, in the audience were two former chief justices; Waako Wambuzi and Bart Katureebe.

Source and details: https://www.independent.co.ug/hell-over-bail/ 

2021 GENERAL ELECTIONS: 19 PEOPLE STILL MISSING, SAYS MPUUGA

The leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP), Mathias Mpuuga, has demanded that the Government provides an explanation of the whereabouts of up to 19 Ugandans. It should be noted that reports of kidnaps and missing people sparked off during and after the general elections.

According to Mpuuga, the 19 people went missing during and after the January 2021 general elections. Mpuuga told Parliament that he had initially raised the matter in his response to the state of the National Address 2021, but no action has been taken yet.

For action, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among has directed that the government presents a statement in response to the whereabouts of the 19 people as raised by Mpuuga. Amongi also called for a meeting in the course of the week with both the government and the Opposition in her office, about the same.

Hon. Mathias Mpuuga- Leader of Opposition. Courtesy image

Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/116572/2021-general-elections-19-people-still-missin

NEW OPPOSITION PRESSURE GROUP NAMES BESIGYE CHAIRMAN, LUKWAGO DEPUTY

Four-time presidential candidate, Dr. Kizza Besigye, and his allies in six political parties yesterday unveiled a new political pressure group to expand the frontier in their fight to oust President Museveni, in power since 1986.

Named People’s Front for Transition (PFT), Dr. Besigye said the outfit, a replica of the post-2016 election People’s Government that he superintended, galvanises broader political actors willing to remove Mr Museveni by means other than elections.

“We have tested all ways [to oust Museveni] and I am an expert [in this],” said Dr. Besigye, a former personal physician to Mr. Museveni, who stood for elections in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016.

Former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye speaks during the launch of the People’s Front for Transition at JEEMA offices in Mengo, Kampala, October 7, 2021. PHOTO/ABUBAKER LUBOWA

Source and more details: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/new-opposition-pressure-group-names-besigye-chairman-lukwago-deputy-3575710

CONCLUDING REMARK

The human rights defending journey is worth the take. It fulfills to know that you helped someone live better today. It doesn’t matter whether the world recognises your actions or whether you are rewarded. Ultimately, if someone felt better and had their life secured another day by your deed(s) of kindness, you will be satisfied. We shall continue to work with Hon. Silas Aogon and the Greater North Parliamentary Forum to see that Human Rights Defenders in Uganda have a specific law for the protection of their work and rights.

Wishing you a very fruitful week.