HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.47 OF 2021
WEEKLY UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND
KEY EMERGING ISSUES WITH IN THE WORKING ENVIROMENT OF HRDS
THE WEEK OF TO 6TH to 12TH
DECEMBER 2021
You are very welcome to this week
where many human rights defenders, human rights defending organizations and
institutions will break off for the “festive season”. It’s amazing to have a
moment to look back or reflect on how the year has moved. We can only say,
Ebenezer!
As we share updates from last week,
we are glad that the commemoration of International Human Rights Defenders’ Day
on 9th and International Human Rights Day on 10th December,
2021 both went on well with some HRDs like Nicholas Opiyo and Dr. Kalema receiving
global awards for their tremendous and notable work in the promotion and quest
for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/rights-lawyer-opiyo-dr-kalema-win-global-awards-3647118.
We also saw our very own Mr. Robert
Mugisa receive the Outstanding Human Rights Defender Central Award in
recognition of his creativity and use of the art of music to promote human
rights.
It was also in the same week that
the President launched the Lifestyle Audit campaign as a tool for fighting
corruption in the country. This was during the International Anti-corruption
day commemoration: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/72136-corruption-museveni-warns-kamya-to-be-careful-on-lifestyle-audit
Below are some of the highlighted
updates:
COVID-19
UPDATES
Results of COVID-19 tests done on 11 December 2021 confirm 60
new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are now 128,033. The breakdown
of the new cases is: 58 Alerts and Contacts; Wakiso (46), Kampala (10),
Kabarole (1) Amuru (1) 2 Truck drivers from Kyotera.
Source:
https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/
OUTBREAK
OF THE NEW COVID19 OMICRON VARIANT: OMICRON COVID-19 VARIANT DETECTED AT
ENTEBBE
Seven (7) cases of the Omicron
COVID-19 variant were detected in the country and this was according to results
released by the Uganda Virus Research Institute. The results were from samples
of travelers that were tested at Entebbe International Airport. This was
confirmed by the genomic surveillance being carried out at the various points
of entry and among the general population.
Prof Pontiano Kaleebu, the Executive
Director of UVRI said the cases were detected among travelers from Nigeria and
South Africa.
Prof Kareebu. UVRI PHOTO
Source and details:https://www.independent.co.ug/omicron-covid-19-variant-detected-at-entebbe/
FIGHTING
AGAINST THE NEW COVID19 VARIANT: PFIZER/BIONTECH
SAYS THREE DOSES 'EFFECTIVE' AGAINST OMICRON
Two doses
of the BioNTech and Pfizer coronavirus vaccine may not be enough to protect
against the Omicron variant, the companies warned Wednesday 08th December
2021, but stressed that it was "still effective" after a third jab.
In
preliminary results published on Wednesday, 8th December 2021,
Pfizer and BioNTech said their vaccine" is still effective in preventing COVID-19,
also against Omicron, if it has been administered three times". They
however warned that "the Omicron variant is probably not sufficiently
neutralized after two doses".
A man gets
a BioNtech-Pfizer Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine in a mobile vaccination center
in Hemmingen near Ludwigsburg, southern Germany, on December 7, 2021. PHOTO /
AFP
FULL
REOPENING OF UGANDAN ECONOMY: OMICRON WILL NOT AFFECT FULL ECONOMY REOPENING –
SAYS HEALTH MINSITER
The Minister of Health, Dr Jane
Aceng, reassured Ugandans that the outbreak of a new variant of Covid-19 in
Uganda will not affect the planned full reopening of the economy in January. She
said that the seven cases of Omicron which were confirmed by the Ministry on
Tuesday are “asymptomatic and the patients are undergoing home base care”.
The minister said President Yoweri
Museveni was likely to announce the country’s full economy reopening during his
New Year message on December 31.
Minister of health: Jane
Ruth Aceng
Source and details: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/omicron-will-not-affect-full-economy-reopening-says-health-minsiter.html
COVID19
VACCINATION DEBATE: HEALTH RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SLAM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ON
FORCED COVID VACCINATION
Health rights activists blasted the
Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) for infringing on the right of
Ugandans to reject COVID-19 vaccination. This came a day after UHRC Chairperson, Mariam
Wangadya, said during a press conference ahead of the annual International Human
Rights Day on December 10 2021that Ugandans have no right to reject the ongoing
COVID-19 vaccination exercise.
Health activists said Wangadya’s
statement had no basis in the law and that any effort to promote vaccination
should follow proper laws locally and internationally. Moses Mulumba, the Head
of the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), says that UHRC
ought to understand that they can only operate within the law.
Covid-19 vaccination card
Source and details: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/72121-health-rights-activists-slam-human-rights-commission-on-forced-covid-vaccination
, visited on 08th December 2021.
COVID19
RESPONSE FUNDS: WITH SO MANY DONATIONS, GOVT CONSIDERS REALLOCATING COVID
VACCINE FUNDS
The Ministry of Health is
considering re-allocating some of the funds meant for the procurement of
COVID-19 vaccines after receiving several jab donations.
The government had earlier on planned to procure 18 million doses of Sinopharm
vaccine through the COVAX Facility and 9 million doses of the J&J vaccine
through the African Vaccines Acquisition Trust (AVAT) channel. About Shs.41
billion was released for the procurements.
However, all this money might not be
used to procure vaccines considering the high number of donations the country
has received. So far, Uganda has received 17.1 million doses of vaccines with
another 15.5 million expected to arrive before the end of the year.
HUMAN RIGHTS EMERGING STORIES
A CALL FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE
RIGHTS OF INMATES: RESPECT INMATES RIGHTS – UHRC
Uganda
Human Rights Commission (UHRC) representatives emphasized the need for
recognition and respect of rights of prisoners regardless of their status in
society. This came in the wake of the plight of two National Unity Platform
(NUP) legislators. Mr. Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North MP) and Mr. Allan Ssewanyana
(Makindye West MP) who are currently battling a string of charges over their
alleged involvement in the killings that took place in the greater Masaka
region this year.
Ms. Wangadya
made the remarks while presenting a statement ahead of the commemoration of the
International Human Rights Day 2021.
Mr Muhammad Ssegirinya, the Kawempe North MP (left) and Mr Allan Ssewanyana, the Makindye West MP, in a Masaka court. PHOTO/FILE
Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/respect-inmates-rights-uhrc-3643882
NOVEMBER RIOTS REPORT: STRAY BULLETS
KILLED 39 VICTIMS
A report of
internal government investigations into the 2020 November riot killings
revealed that 39 out of the 54, or 72 percent, of people shot dead were hit by
“stray bullets”.
Police
Criminal Investigations Director, AIGP Grace Akullo, prepared the report and
transmitted it to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Martins Okoth-Ochola, on
December 5, 2020.
Only eight
of those shot dead were “rioters”, according to the investigations, contrary to
earlier briefings to President Museveni who during a televised address on
November 29 said 32 individuals shot dead by security forces were “rioters”.
Cover
page of Daily Monitor newspaper on
January 4, 2021 showing faces of some of the people who died during clashes
between civilians and security forces in Kampala in November 2020. PHOTO/FILE
APPRECIATING THE WORK OF HRDS: RIGHTS
LAWYER OPIYO, DR KALEMA WIN GLOBAL AWARDS
Two
Ugandans received international awards last week in recognition of their
outstanding service in their respective fields. The awards included
the United Nations’ highest environmental award and a top Dutch government
human rights award.
Human
rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo was awarded The Human Rights Tulip 2021, which is an
annual award of the Dutch government that supports human rights defenders in
their work advancing and protecting human rights around the globe.
Dr. Gladys
Kalema-Zikusoka was named among the 2021 Champions of the Earth alongside Prime
Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, the Sea Women of Melanesia from Papua New Guinea
and the Solomon Islands, and Maria Kolesnikova of Kyrgyz Republic.
Nicholas
Opiyo, human rights lawyer
Source and
details: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/rights-lawyer-opiyo-dr-kalema-win-global-awards-3647118
PROTECTING THE WORKING ENVIROMENT OF
HRDS: RIGHTS DEFENDERS SEEK AMENDMENT IN LAWS AFFECTING THEIR WORK
The
National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders is seeking amendment of laws
affecting their work across the country. In their message during the commemoration of Human Rights Day event held
in Kampala, the Coalition’s Executive Director, Robert Kirenga said that
provisions like Section 44 Non- Governmental Organizations Act prevents NGOs
from participating in some political issues but that what is
political is not clearly defined.
He also said provisions in the Anti-Money Laundering
Act under which only a commercial bank declares money received suspicious and
alerts the Financial Intelligence Authority without informing a specific NGO
affected them; that most of their accounts have been frozen under unclear
circumstances.
Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/rights-defenders-seek-amendment-in-laws-affecting-their-work.html
INDUSTRIAL ACTION: STRIKING MEDICS
TO SEEK LEGAL REDRESS OVER DIRECTIVE TO VACATE HOSPITALS
Striking
Medical Interns who were on Friday 10th December 2021 directed by
the Ministry of Health to among others vacate hospital premises within one week
are contemplating running to court.
Dr. Herbert
Luswata, the General Secretary of Uganda Medical Association (UMA) on Saturday
11th December 2021 said that they were convening a meeting with the
leadership of the Federation of Uganda Medical Interns to discuss the way
forward. He however noted that they had spoken to the Center for Health, Human
Rights and Development (CEHURD) to advise on legal redress.
Ms
Lillian Nabwire, the President of the Medical Interns said that the government
is wrong to resort to threats than addressing the long grievances. Photo | File
KAYUNGA LCV BY ELECTIONS: POLICE
SHOOT AT NUP SUPPORTERS IN KAYUNGA
Police in
Kayunga on Friday 10th December 2021, shot at an ambulance that was
carrying opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters. A team of
about ten supporters had travelled from Kampala to canvass support for the NUP
candidate Harriet Nakwede, who was campaigning at Kayonza sub county for the LC
V seat that fell vacant following the death of Muhammad FfeffekaSserubogo, a
month after occupying the office.
When the
supporters who were travelling in the ambulance belonging to the Lubaga
South MP Aloysius Mukasa, refused to stop at a temporary checkpoint at
Kayunga town council, police shot at the vehicle, deflating the tyres.
The
deflated ambulance
Source and
details:https://observer.ug/news/headlines/72145-police-in-kayunga-shoot-at-nup-supporters-travelling-in-ambulance
HUMAN RIGHTS OBSERVATIONS OF THE
WEEK
1. The
detection and confirmation of cases of the newly feared COVID-19 Omicron
variant, it’s important for us to gear up with the vaccination campaign since
the Minister of Health assured the country that these cases of the omicron
variant were minor and patients were well managed. On the same matter, the Minister
also assured the country that the new omicron variant won’t affect the full
reopening of the economy next year as promised by the President. There are some
discussions by a section of the public around whether o not to get vaccinated.
Whichever direction this might take, it is important that we continue to adhere
to government’s direction and the standard operating procedures.
2. Awarding
HRDs for their role in promoting and protecting Human rights is a great move
which motivates and inspires them and many more who are considered “upcoming.”
It is very important that important that government puts in place conducive and
agreeable legal and institutional framework that specifically protects the work
of HRDs in order for them to have an environment where each person’s rights are
respected, protected and realized.
3. It is
pertinent to join Uganda Human Rights Commission in calling for respect of the
rights of inmates and to bear in mind of that one of the founding principles of
human rights of inalienability, inherence state that everyone by virtue of
being human, have rights, therefore its important that states inmates’ rights
are well respected and protected and also help them become better people.
4. Whereas it’s
everyone’s right to freely exercise and enjoy civil and political rights like the
right to vote under (Article 50 of the Uganda Constitution as amended),
Citizens also have the prime responsibility of refraining from violent and
unlawful acts during the enjoyment of these rights. Therefore, they should
always follow peaceful and lawful measures while exercising these rights.
HRCU appreciates your time in reading and following our weekly updates, kindly feel free to share your comments with us and also get in touch for any matters.
Wishing you a very successful week!
This is a very detailed and a call to action handout for every concerned Citizen to have a look and own what is happening. If it hurts you then probably its not pleasant for another person. Thanks HRC and Robert Congrats.
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