HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.39 OF 2021
THE
HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER UGANDA-(HRCU)
WEEKLY
UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMERGING ISSUES WITHIN THE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS' WORKING
ENVIROMENT
WEEK OF 11TH TO 17TH OCTOBER 2021
The
promotion and protection of Human Rights is a collective role. The Human Rights
Center Uganda under its focus areas of research and documentation and, advocacy and networking compiles a
series of stories that have outstood in the week and related to Human rights.
Last
week was filled with a number of news stories like the debate on right to apply
for bail, mass Covid-19 Vaccination at Kololo independence grounds on Saturday
16th October 2021 https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/117449, the President’s concerns on salaries
between Science and Arts teachers https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/no-salary-increment-for-arts-teachers-says-museveni--3581666; the further remand of Hon.
Ssewanyana and Hon. Segirinya https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mps-ssegirinya-ssewanyana-further-remanded-3582142; celebration of Day of the Girl Child
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-mMJJ4qA_0; death of Kenyan Athlete and world
record holder Agnes Tiropand https://www.africanews.com/2021/10/13/olympian-agnes-tirop-dies-at-age-25//; among others.
Please
receive and read through some of the updates and information below:
COVID-19 UPDATES
Results of COVID-19 tests done on 16 October 2021 confirm 75 new
cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 125,261. The breakdown of the
new cases is: 75 Alerts And Contacts; Gulu (12), Kampala (23), Oyam (5),
Bukedea (5), Busia (4), Ngora (3), Pader (3), Soroti (3), Amuria (2),
Nakapiripirit (2), Kalaki (1), Nakasongola (1), Tororo (1), Mbarara (1),
Nabilatuku (1) Amuru (4), Wakiso (3), Kisoro (1).
For details please visit: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG
The
Ministry of health also confirmed on Wednesday 13th October 2021
that more females are contracting COVID-19 than the males. In addition, the
ministry also revealed that only 14.9% of teachers were fully vaccinated of the
550,000 teachers around the country.
COVID-19 INFECTIONS, DEATHS DROP
The
COVID-19 deaths and infections have dropped in the country with an average of
124 cases and 6 deaths being reported per day, according to the Ministry of
Health.
This
implies a 91 percent decline in Covid-19 cases and 89 percent decline in
pandemic-related deaths when compared three months ago, in June during the
start of the second wave.
Covid-19 patients in the ICU at Mulago Referral Hospital.
Health facilities treating Covid-19 patients have registered a drop in the
number of cases since the 42-day lockdown was eased. PHOTO/PROMISE TWINAMUKYE
Source:
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/covid-19-infections-deaths-drop-3582666
Comment:
As
the cases continue to go down, let us all embrace the mass vaccination
campaigns by the ministry of Health so that we all recover from the current
restrictions. Vaccination is safe and free.
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS: UGANDA CELEBRATES
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD TODAY
National
celebrations of the Girl Child day under the theme: “Digital Generation. Our Generation”,
took place at the Kololo ceremonial grounds and the first lady who also doubles
as education minister, preside over the event.
The
Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs Sarah Mateke said that the Day
presented critical moment for engagement and an opportunity to hear the voices
of a new generation of girls and gender advocates to unite towards bold,
collective solutions that enable girls and young women to fully participate in
the digital revolution.
The
day came at a time when there is been a high rate of teenage pregnancy
reported.
The
International Day of the Girl seeks to increase awareness of issues faced by
girls around the world.
Source
and details: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/51354.html
Comment:
The
empowerment of the girl child is critical in the protection and promotion of
human rights in that even the government of Uganda has put in place initiatives
like the Children Act, Girl Child Education Programmes, affirmative action,
among others.
THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR BAIL: CABINET MEMO ON
BAIL REFORMS LEAKS
In
a leaked memo, the Executive is considering a raft of reforms, with amendments to
the Constitution and the Police Act, to tighten the hands of judicial officers
in exercising the discretion to grant or deny bail. In the proposals prepared for
Cabinet consideration, The Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka proposes that
Article 23(6) (b) of the Constitution be amended to provide that a person
accused of committing an offence triable by both the High Court and subordinate
courts, shall not be granted bail until after 180 days or trial commencement,
or when the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) discontinues proceedings,
whichever is earlier.
He
also seeks changes to Article 23(4) (b) and Section 25 of the Police Act, both
of which require a suspect to be released on police bond if not charged in
court within 48 hours, to qualify the period as “forty-eight business hours”.
In
the problem statement, the Attorney General argues in the memo that bail
ideally should balance the interests of the accused, public interest in regard
to peace and safety as well as the right of victims of crime.
Comment:
If
the above amendments are adopted by Cabinet and implemented, this would make it
harder for suspected capital offenders to be released upon arrest on police
bond or court bail if already charged in court. It should be noted that bail
and police bond are already settled for by the law.
For
details please see: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/cabinet-memo-on-bail-reforms-leaks-3580234
THE RIGHT TO LIFE: ARMY COURT REMANDS 3 TO
KITALYA PRISON OVER MURDER OF NTOROKO NRM CHAIRPERSON
The
General Court Martial remanded three suspects over the kidnap and subsequent
murder of former Ntoroko district National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson,
Japheth Kabagambe Ahebwa.
The
suspects included Barnabas Alleluya a businessman and traditional doctor and
resident of Kagando Cell in Mbarara district, Deus Ahimbisibwe, a driver and
resident of Kyakazizi village also in Mbarara district, and Herbert Mutamba, a
businessman and resident of Ncucumo cell in Kitwe ward, Bushenyi district.
The trio, on Monday 11th October 2021, appeared before the Army court chaired by Lt Gen Andrew Gutti who charged them with kidnap, murder, aggravated robbery, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
THE RIGHT TO A FAIR HEARING: MPS SSEGIRINYA, SSEWANYANA FURTHER REMANDED
The
Masaka Grade One Magistratefurther remanded two opposition lawmakers, Mr.
Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North), and Mr. Allan Ssewanyana (MakindyeWest),
both faced with multiple criminal chargesthat includeMurder, aiding and
abetting terrorism which they allegedly committed in Masaka region.
This
came after the State prosecutor, Mr. Richard Birivumbuka, informed court that
‘‘inquiries into the matter are still ongoing so that the accused persons can
be committed to high court for trial.’’
Ms. Shamim Malende, one of the MPs lawyers said: “It’s unfair that the State wants to take all the six months to complete investigations into this matter. This should end and people finally know those that were behind the attacks that left several people killed.
MPs Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya appearing
before Masaka Grade One court via Zoom link from Kigo Prison on October 13,
2021. PHOTO/MALIK F JJINGO
Source:
https://www.ntv.co.ug/ug/news/national/mps-ssegirinya-ssewanyana-further-remanded-3582242
Comment:
The
protection and promotion of fundamental human rights, requires an Independent
and competent judicial system. Additionally, there is need to have expeditious
investigations into matters of a criminal nature so as to conclude on appropriate
action for and against the suspects.
THE
RIGHT TO APPLY FOR BAIL AND JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE: BAIL DENIAL IS AN ABUSE ON
HUMAN RIGHTS, SAYS NUP
While addressing a press conference at the party’s
offices in Kamwokya, Zedriga the Deputy president of NUP, said President Yoweri
Museveni’s call for denial of bail to suspected capital offenders is not only
an abuse of power but amounts to an interference with the works of other arms
of government.
She added that “I am a judicial official officer on sabbatical leave by choice.
When we are taking an oath, we swear to uphold the Constitution and protect
human rights without fear or favor but on the swearing-in of the judges,
Museveni comes up and says you are not supposed to release suspected murderers
is an interference in the Judiciary.
Zedriga condemned what she described as continued
unlawful detention of their party MPs namely Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan
Ssewanyana who were arrested and charged with attempted murder of the 26 people
in Masaka.
OPPOSITION
CALLS FOR FRESH INVESTIGATIONS INTO 2021 ELECTION VIOLENCE
Members
of the shadow cabinet called for fresh investigations into the alleged human
rights violations that characterized the 2021 general elections.
Speaking
to the media on Wednesday 13th October 2021, the Shadow Minister for
Security, Derrick Nyeko said that despite undertakings by the government,
opposition supporters continue to be arrested.
The
call came after absence of a conclusive investigative report from the state on
the violence during and after elections that lead to the death of several
people. The opposition members of parliament were considering moving a motion
in parliament in regards to the investigations.
Makindye East MP Derrick Nyeko while addressing the media
Comment:
The
enjoyment of civil and political rights is nationally recognized under the Constitution.
The promotion and protection of civil and political rights calls for making
informed decisions and choices, freely participating in the affairs of the
state among other rights as listed under the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights (ICCPR) ,
https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/ccpr.aspx
REGIONAL/EAST AFRICA NEWS: SHOCK AS KENYA'S
WORLD RECORD HOLDER AGNES TIROP FOUND DEAD IN ITEN
Kenya's
only Women's world record holder in 10km road race Agnes Tirop was confirmed
dead by Authorities in Kenya. Tirop was found dead in her house on the morning
of Wednesday 13th October 2021 in what Athletics Kenya said is a “suspected
homicide”.
Athletics
Kenya described the deceased as a jewel who was one of the fastest-rising
athletics giants on the international stage.
Comment:
The
untimely death of Agnes Tirop is a great loss to The East African region and
the world at large as she was a young athlete, who many young girls were
looking out to hence empowering them. May her soul rest in peace.
CONCLUDING REMARK:
It
should be noted that the violation on fundamental human rights and freedoms,
always leads to people feeling less and less human. Let each of us continue to
play our part in ensuring that we contribute to the promotion, protection and realization
of rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
Thank
you for reading and sharing your feedback with us!
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