HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.45 OF 2021
THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)
WEEKLY
UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMERGING ISSUES WITHIN THE WORKING ENVIROMENT OF
HRDS IN UGANDA
THE
WEEK OF TO 22nd to 28th NOVEMBER, 2021
As we end the month of November, we
would like to thank you for the work well done in promoting and protecting
human rights from all angles, at all levels.
As you may have noted, last week had a running
story of the outbreak of a new Omicron COVID-19 Variant in south Africa that
forced several countries like Israel to close their boarders https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59448547 and others like the United States to impose
travel bans on passengers from Southern Africa.
Below are some of the highlights. We request that you please click on the
links as provided in case you wish to read more details.
COVID19 UPDATES
Results of COVID-19 tests done on 27 November 2021 confirm 34
new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are now 127,485. The breakdown
of the new cases is: 34 Alerts and Contacts; Wakiso (9), Kalaki (5), Mbarara
(4), Kabarole (3), Kampala (5), Rakai (1), Pader (1), Kotido (1), Moroto (1),
Napak (1) Amuru (2), Isingiro (1).
COVID19
VACCINATION CAMPAIGN: TAKING THE COVID JAB SHOULD NOT BE FORCED, EXPERTS SAY
The
experts in respective professional fields gave their insights during the 7th
virtual Town Hall meeting on Monday in Kampala, where the panelists debunked
myths and interrogated the science and place of human rights and freedoms post
the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr. Eron Kiiza,
a human rights activist said that as much as vaccines play a crucial role in
protecting the body against Covid-19, there is no legal basis for forcing
people to take them
“Taking vaccines should be a matter of choice.
People have a right to live a dignified life and this is injured when you force
people to take some kind of medication,” Mr. Kiiza said.
A health worker attached to the Uganda People’s
Defense Forces (UPDF) administers Covid-19 vaccine
OMICRON COVID19 VARIANT: NETHERLANDS
REPORTS 13 CASES OF OMICRON VARIANT
The Dutch Health
Authority said on Sunday 28th November 2021 that it found 13 cases
of the new Omicron coronavirus variant among passengers on flights from South
Africa. The cases were identified among 61 passengers who tested positive for
coronavirus, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
(RIVM) said in a statement.
In an
ongoing sequencing study, the new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529, or Omicron,
first reported in South Africa, has been identified in 13 of the positive
tests, said the RIVM.
NEW OMICRONCOVID19 VARIANT: AFRICA
CDC URGES STRONG COVID-19 PREVENTION MEASURES AMID EMERGENCE OF NEW VARIANT
The Africa
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Friday 26th November
2021 urged African health authorities to intensify COVID-19 prevention measures
amid the emergence of a new variant.
The Africa
CDC made the call a day after the National Institute for Communicable Diseases
(NICD) in South Africa announced the detection of a new variant, B.1.1.529, of
the SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health
Organization on Friday classified it as a “Variant of Concern.”
Vaccination remains a key
tool to prevent severe cases and deaths from COVID-19 infect
COVID19
THIRD WAVE: DR. KYOBE: MORE RESOURCES NEEDED TO HANDLE UGANDA 3RD COVID WAVE
Lt. Col
Dr. Henry Kyobe, the National COVID-19 Incident Commander said that the Ugandan
health system might not fare any better than it did during the second wave.
According
to Kyobe, the core capacities needed to respond to the disease have not
improved even from experience.
Kyobe adds
that at the moment, hospitals should be increasing the patient beds in
preparation for the next wave. He says that due to low infections; some
hospitals are reducing the number of COVID-19 beds.
Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/dr-kyobe-more-resources-needed-to-handle-uganda-3rd-covid-wave/
COVID19
RUMINATION AND SAFETY TIP
The
outbreak of the new omicron COVID19 variant in south Africa has raised tensions around the world and this has seen
countries like Israel close their boarders https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59448547 and
others like US and in Europe have restricted flights and travels from South
Africa https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59427770 as measures to contain the spread of this
new covid19 variant. Therefore, as we await a statement from the Ministry of
Health, HRCU, would like to urge all HRDS and the general public to be
observant of all the existing guidelines of washing hands, keeping a social
distance and wearing a face mask while in public and above all get vaccinated.
The fight seems not to end soon thus we shouldn’t also capitulate in this
fight.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND KEY EMERGING STORIES:
PROMOTING
JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW: ENSURE JUSTICE FOR ALL, CHIEF JUSTICE TELLS NEW JUDGES
Chief
Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollot asked the seven newly-appointed justices of the
Court of Appeal and the High Court to always ensure justice for all.
The Head
of the Judiciary further quoted Article 126 of the Constitution that states
that judicial power is derived from the people and shall be exercised by the
courts in the name of the people and in conformity with the law, values norms
and aspirations.
“To achieve these constitutional dictates, it is
imperative that we work together for the good of our people while observing the
principals of our judicial creed that underpins our judicial code of conduct,” Justice
Owiny-Dollo said.
He named
independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, competence and
diligence as some of the judicial codes of conduct.
Chief Justice Alfonse
Owiny-Dollo. PHOTO/FILE
THE
NSSF (AMENDMENT) BILL: PARLIAMENT PASSES NSSF BILL, OKAYS MID-TERM ACCESS
Parliament
on the Wednesday 24th November 2021, considered and passed the
National Social Security Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The bill that allows 20%
midterm access for workers who have saved for over 10 years and have reached
the age of 45, now awaits Presidential consent.
There has
been a big contestation on whether the supervisory role of NSSF funds should be
under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development or remain under the
Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under the new NSSF
(Amendment) Bill, 2021 which is currently before Parliament.
Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/parliament-passes-nssf-bill-okays-mid-term-access/.
CALL
TO END EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS: LAWYERS PETITION HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OVER KILLINGS
OF ALLEGED TERROR SUSPECTS
Human
rights lawyers petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission-UHRC over
extrajudicial killings of terror suspects.
The
lawyers under their umbrella, the Uganda Muslim Lawyers Association, Muslim
Center for Justice and Law, and Network for Public Interest Law-NEPTIL, want
the commission to open and conduct investigations, hear, make orders and issue
a report about the alleged extra-judicial killing of citizens by security
agencies.
Ali
Kankaka, the President of Uganda Muslim Lawyers Association said security
should be held accountable for the killing of suspects in their custody.
Recently, following the Kampala city twin bombings, security personnel killed a
Muslim cleric Sheikh Abbas Kirevu for his alleged links to the Allied
Democratic Force-ADF rebels.
Source and details: https://www.independent.co.ug/lawyers-petition-human-rights-commission-over-killings-of-alleged-terror-suspects/
THE
RIGHT TO A FAIR HEARING: MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT MOHAMMAD SSEGIRINYA AND ALLAN
SSEWANYANA COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
Kawempe
North Member of Parliament Mohammad Ssegirinya and Makindye West
legislator Allan Sewanyana were committed to the High court for trial on
charges of murder, attempted murder, terrorism and aiding a terror group.
This Director
of Public prosecution ordered for their committal after police completed
investigations into their case. The legislators are jointly charged with
Sserwada Mike, Wamala Bulo, Mugerwa John and Kanyike Jackson. The legislators
denied the charges.
The DPP
Jane Frances Abodo, intends to prove that the accused and others still at large
between the month of January and August 2021, with intent to intimidate the
public or a section of the public and for political, religious, social or
economic aim indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others or
property, directly involved themselves or were complicit in the
murders including that of Mugerwa Kizza Francis. They committed the offenses
in Kampala, Rakai and Masaka districts.
Source and
details: https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2021-11-23-members-of-parliament-mohamad-ssegirinyaand-allan-sewanyana-committed-for-trial/
FIGHTING SGBV AGAINST WOMEN: UN
CHIEF CALLS FOR POLICY CHANGE TO ELIMINATE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday 24th November 2021,
called for policy change to eliminate violence against women and girls.
Violence
against women is not inevitable. The right policies and programs bring results,
he told a UN event marking the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women and Girls, which falls on Nov. 25.
“That
means comprehensive, long-term strategies that tackle the root causes of
violence, protect the rights of women and girls, and promote strong and
autonomous women’s rights movements,” he said in a video message.
Source and details:https://www.independent.co.ug/un-chief-calls-for-policy-change-to-eliminate-violence-against-women-and-girls/
FREEDOM FROM TORTURE: NUP’S BIGIRWA
PETITIONS DPP OVER TORTURE CLAIM
In a
November 22 letter, Mr. Moses Bigirwa, through his lawyers of Semengo and
Company Advocates claimed that upon his arrest and detention at Kibuli Police
Station on November 5, he was later handed over to CMI who subjected him to
torture and degrading treatment. In the petition, he has appealed to the DPP to
cause an investigation into the conduct of the police officers.
Mr. Bigirwa
was on November 11 arraigned before Buganda Road Court and charged with
attempting to defraud the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among, a
charge he denies, and remanded to Kitalya prison.
Source and details: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nup-s-bigirwa-petitions-dpp-over-torture-claim-3631348
KEY OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE UPDATES
1. The message by the Chief Justice to the newly appointed
Judges and Magistrates is a significant move in ensuring the protection and
promotion of fundamental human rights and access to justice. It is pertinent that
judicial officers should always exercise their judicial powers in accordance
with Article 126 of the 1995 Uganda constitution which affirms that
judicial powers are derived from people. Whatever they do should be in the
interest of offering justice for all without any partiality.
2.
The use of torture on inmates or suspects is highly
condemned not only nationally under the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act,
2012 but also internationally under the Optional Protocol to the Convention
against Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Acts of torture
are criminal and constitute serious violations of human rights like the right
to life, respect of human dignity and protection from inhuman treatment. https://www.ohchr.org/documents/professionalinterest/cat.pdf.
3.
The state has the legal obligation of protecting the
right to life of its citizens. It Under Article 22 of the Constitution of
the Republic of Uganda, 1995 (as amended), it is provided that nobody shall be deprived of
their right to life except in execution of a sentence passed in a fair trial by
a court of competent jurisdiction. State agencies such as Police and Uganda
Human Rights Commission should carry out independent investigations into cases
of extra-judicial killings and bring perpetrators to book.
4.
According to the United Nations, Gender-Based
violence refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their
gender. It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms
https://www.unhcr.org/gender-based-violence.html#:~:text=Gender%2DBased%20violence%20refers%20to,threatening%20health%20and%20protection%20issue.
Therefore, as we commemorate the 16 days of activism against gender-based
violence this year, it is important to consider the call by UN on policy changes by putting in place
stringent laws against gender based violence; have and massive advocacy
campaigns and capacity building programs to equip women and girls with
knowledge and skills to counter the vice.
Note should be taken that this is not just about women and girls. Men too, ought to be greatly involved in the
campaign. Together we can put an end to this global snag.
Thank you for reading. We wish you a fruitful
week and joyous entry into December 2021!
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