HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.40 OF 2021

 

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)

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

WEEK OF 18^TH TO 24^TH OCTOBER, 2021

Our dear readers and followers, we welcome you to yet another edition of the Human Rights Centre Uganda weekly update on human rights and key emerging issues aimed at keeping you informed and updated on the protection and promotion human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Some of the key stories in the past week included, Bomb attack reports in the country https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/three-feared-dead-in-kampala-bomb-blast--3593872, launch of the Anti -corruption campaign by the first lady https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/janet-launches-anti-corruption-campaign-wants-children-involved-in-fight-3589502, the debate on bail https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/anger-as-cabinet-okays-bail-reforms-3585864, and several stories as compiled below:

COVID-19 UPDATES

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 22 October 2021 confirm 65 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 125,710. The breakdown of the new cases is: 65 Alerts And Contacts: Kampala (15), Soroti (8), Gulu (9), Mbale (4), Moyo (4), Kitgum (4), Oyam (3), Wakiso (5), Kumi (3), Kabale (2), Adjumani (1), Bunyangabu (1), Agago (1), Terego (1), Mukono (1), Omoro (1), Luweero (1), Amuru (1).

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

UGANDA RECEIVES ADDITIONAL 700,000 DOSES OF SINOVAC VACCINE FROM CHINA

The 700,000 doses of the sinovac vaccine were received by the Minister of State for Primary Health Care Ms. Margaret Muhanga at National Medical Stores headquarters.She also added that to-date, Government of Uganda has received 6,631,763 doses of various COVID-19 vaccines.

Minister of State for Primary Health Care Ms Margaret Muhanga (R) receives the Sinovac vaccines from Chinese ambassador to Uganda Mr Zhang Lizhong on October 19, 2021. PHOTO/ PAUL ADUDE

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-receives-additional-700-000-doses-of-sinovac-vaccine-from-china-3588792

MANDATORY TESTING AT ENTEBBE AIRPORT SET TO START

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched the commencement of $30 per person mandatory testing by government for COVID-19 for all incoming passengers at Entebbe International Airport.

Since May, private laboratories have been testing un-vaccinated passengers from ten high risk countries such as Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan and the United Arab Emirates among others.

However, most of these travelers have been complaining about long waiting hours  and the high cost of the test.  The exercise has been taking place at Peniel Beach, two kilometres from Entebbe airport and each passenger pays 65 US Dollars (about shillings 250,000).

But in mid-September, the government announced that all incoming passengers, regardless of their vaccination status, will be tested by government laboratories. All incoming passengers will disembark from the aircrafts, be assessed at the Port health desk, be swabbed and then proceed to immigration booths at the current passenger terminal building. The VIPs will however move from the Port health desk and then be swabbed from the VIP lounge where they will also wait for their results.

A lab technician at the new Entebbe testing facility. PHOTO PPU

Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/mandatory-testing-at-entebbe-airport-set-to-start/

THE DEBATE ON BAIL: ANGER AS CABINET OKAYS BAIL REFORMS

Lawmakers and human rights defenders have condemned ministers for backing what they have called “draconian laws” that seek to curtail freedoms and take away the discretion of judicial officers to grant or deny bail.

Those against the Executive decision to tinker with bail for capital offenders have warned that when the dust finally settles, “the architects of the draconian laws will be caught by the same laws but it will be too late” to make amends. 
   
On Friday 22^nd October 2021, Cabinet endorsed criminal justice reforms, among them amendments to the 1995 Constitution and the Police Act, to deny suspects on capital offences bail or police bond. 

Cabinet sources singled out suspects on murder, rape, robbery and treason  charges, among others, as the main target for the proposed reforms.  
The Cabinet meeting was chaired by President Museveni, and ministers one by one were given opportunity to give their views. This was after the President asked Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, alias KK, to guide Cabinet on how to proceed on the proposed constitutional amendments.

According to sources, Mr. Kiryowa presented a brief on the proposed amendment to Article 23(6) (b) of the Constitution to provide that any 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.

NRM Members of Parliament attend a meeting chaired by President Museveni to discuss his proposal to scrap bail for capital offences at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on September 28. Photo | Courtesy

Source and details: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/anger-as-cabinet-okays-bail-reforms-3585864

THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR BAIL: PROF. KANYEIHAMBA TO PETITION COURT OVER MUSEVENI’S MOVE TO SCRAP THE RIGHT TO BAIL FOR CAPITAL OFFENDERS

Retired Supreme Court Judge, Prof. George Wilson Kanyeihamba, informed the public that he would file a petition challenging President Museveni’s move to scrap the right to bail for capital offenders.

In his Words Prof. Kanyeihamba said “I have done this on my will after consulting my family. NRM no longer governs Uganda under the law, but rather by law and under guns, “while addressing the media onMonday 18^th October 2021.

The retired judge also added that President Museveni should first withdraw Uganda from all international treaties that guarantee bail globally, if he wants to continue pushing his agenda.

Professor. Kanyeihamba (in the middle) while addressing media

For details please visit: https://nilepost.co.ug/2021/10/18/prof-kanyeihamba-to-petition-court-over-musevenis-move-to-scrap-the-right-to-bail-for-capital-offenders/

FREEDOM FROM TORTURE: PRISON AUTHORITIES DENY SSEGIRINYA TORTURE CLAIMS

Uganda prison services authorities have denied any case of torture within their facilities. This comes days after Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya who was appearing via video link from Kigo prison, lifted his foot to display visible torture wounds allegedly inflicted on him by the state.

The state has slapped fresh charges of inciting violence against Ssegirinya who is on remand over other charges relating to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism.

Addressing journalists on the sidelines of a 3-day roundtable consultation on rehabilitation and reintegration of former violent extremist prisoners in Entebbe, the Commissioner-General of Prisons Dr Johnson Byabasaija said torture cannot be tolerated in any of their facilities, arguing that such cases happen before suspects are taken to prison.

President Museveni recently came out and condemned all acts of torture against suspects.

Ssegirinya appearing before court via zoom

Details: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/prison-authorities-deny-ssegirinya-torture-claims.html

PROMOTING GOOD GOVERNANCE: JANET MUSEVENI LAUNCHES ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN, WANTS CHILDREN INVOLVED IN FIGHT

The First Lady, Janet Museveni has called for the involvement of children and youth in the campaign against corruption which is one of the biggest challenges faced by government today.

According Mrs. Museveni, who doubles as the Sports and Education minister, children and youth who make 75 percent of Uganda’s population should be allowed to participate actively in citizen social accountability because they are susceptible to misinformation and speculation.

According to her, the fight against corruption has been the commitment of the NRM Government right from 1986.

First Lady Janet Museveni

Source and details: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/janet-launches-anti-corruption-campaign-wants-children-involved-in-fight-3589502

FIGHTING SEXUAL & GENDER BASED VIOLENCE: MAKEREE UNIVRSITY LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN.

According to New Vision On 20^th October 2021,The Child Health and Development Center (CHDC) at Makerere University, launched a program dubbed ‘Parenting for respectability’ that aimed at preventing child mistreatment and gender-based violence. The program also intends to train spouses on how to build better relationships and minimize the use of violence in homes.

Dr. Siu Godfrey, the principal investigator, highlighted that the program will address four key factors associated with child mistreatment and gender-based violence: poor attachment and parental bonding, inequitable gendered socialization, harsh parenting, spousal conflict and disrespect.

Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/117791

EMERGING ISSUES

NATIONAL SECURITY: MUSEVENI INDICATES THAT KOMAMBOGA BLAST A TERRORIST ACT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said an incident where an explosive was  let off in Kampala on Saturday night seems to be a terrorist act. The said explosion occurred at around 9.00 p.m. at a small eatery called Georon next to the famous Digida Pork grill in Komamboga. The explosion reportedly left one person dead and several others injured.

Communicating through his Twitter handle on Sunday morning, President Museveni noted that he has been briefed that the said explosive might have been planted by a group of three people.

“Three people came and left a package in a kaveera which later on exploded, killing one person and injuring five others. It seems to be a terrorist act but we shall get the perpetrators,” his statement reads in part.

The president adds that police specialists are on the ground investigating the whole incident and at later stage they will give the nation more information on the suspected terrorist attack and guidelines on vigilance by the Public dealing with these possible terrorists.

President Museveni

Source and details at: https://www.independent.co.ug/museveni-indicates-that-komamboga-blast-a-terrorist-act/  

CONCLUDING REMARK

The context within which human rights defenders operate is rather dynamic or fluid thereby calling on all of us to remain very vigilant in all that ways. We should be concerned that national security is threatened by the stories of panga wielding criminals and bomb attacks especially in the central region. Our part is continue condemning such acts and calling on all the responsible ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government to take necessary steps to protect the citizenry against such gross human rights violations.

WISHING YOU A FRUITFUL WEEK