HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.03 OF 2022

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)

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

THE WEEK OF 24^TH to 30^TH JANUARY, 2022

Dear Human rights defenders and Partners of HRCU, we hope all is moving well so far as we wrap up the first month of 2022.

In this week’s edition, we look through some of the key stories that emerged in the week of 24^th to 30^th January, 2022. After nearly two years of closure, we saw the lifting of restrictions in the social life arena of the economy when bars, concerts and cinemas were reopened and/or allowed to operate again. There was granting of bail and release of satirical Novelist Mr. Kakwenza Rukirabashaija https://observer.ug/news/headlines/72571-kakwenza-finally-resurfaces-in-iganga-ordered-out-of-kisaasi-house.

There was installation of the 4^th Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Paul Ssemwogerere who replaced the late Archbishop Lwanga- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/pictorial/kampala-s-4th-archbishop-paul-ssemogerere-installed-3693396.

On Wednesday 26^th January, 2022, Uganda celebrated the National Liberation Day where some key achievements of the NRM Government were highlighted https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/125392.

On Thursday 27^th January, 2022, Uganda presented her report on the state of human rights at the 40^th Universal Periodic Review mechanism in Geneva before the UN Human Rights Council https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UGindex.aspx.

News also came in about the demise of Fr. Simon Lokodo who at the time of his death was with Uganda Human Rights Commission and had been part of the delegation that went to participate in the review of Uganda at the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/uganda-ex-minister-simon-lokodo-dies-in-geneva-3698606. May his soul rest in peace. In the same vein, former Governor of Bank of Uganda, Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile was laid to rest in Kabale on Sunday 30^th January, 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TogmxOF98s8

With that brief summary, please receive and read through other items that were documented in the course of the week.

COVID19 UPDATES

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 29 January 2022 confirm 79 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 161,772. The breakdown of the new cases is: 73 Alerts and Contacts; Kampala (43), Wakiso (13), Moyo (7), Mbarara (3), Hoima (2), Luweero (1), Ibanda (1), Mukono (1), Amuru (1), Kisoro (1) 06 Truck drivers; Mityana (3), Kampala (1), Ntungamo (1), Kasese (1).

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

COVID-19 IN SCHOOLS: 5,000 LEARNERS SHOW COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

More than 5,000 learners in primary and secondary schools across the country showed COVID-19 symptoms, two weeks after the reopening of all education institutions.
According to a recent surveillance report compiled by the Education and Health ministries, 5,566 out of the 525,605 learners who had been screened since January 10 when schools reopened have COVID-19 symptoms.

The report indicated that three learners tested positive in various undisclosed schools and that 943 learners had been isolated in schools after showing COVID-19 symptoms. A further 917 had been recommended for testing.

Some schools have relaxed Health ministry guidelines such as social distancing due to congestion.  PHOTO/FILE

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/education/5-000-learners-show-COVID-19-symptoms-3696054

COVID-19 SURVEILANCE IN SCHOOLS: FEW SCHOOLS REPORTING COVID-19 SURVEILLANCE DATA AMONG LEARNERS

The Ministry of Health was concerned about the few schools that are reporting COVID-19 surveillance figures, two weeks after the reopening of schools across the country.

According to data from the health ministry, only 775 schools (approximately 2.5 per cent) out of an estimated 30,519 that are registered with the Ministry of Education and Sports are reporting COVID-19 surveillance numbers.

According to the guidelines, all schools are supposed to carry out daily surveillance and send their results to a central system that can be accessed by both the Ministry of Health and their counterparts in the Ministry of education. Everybody who accesses the school must undergo COVID-19 screening.

Story source: https://www.independent.co.ug/few-schools-reporting-COVID-19-surveillance-data-among-learners/

COVID-19 VACCINATION DRIVE: GOVT ANNOUNCES MASS COVID-19 VACCINATION

Government announced the resumption of mass COVID-19 vaccination in Masaka, Karamoja and other areas in eastern Uganda starting Friday. The Ministry of Health said it had suspended the regional COVID-19 vaccination campaigns to concentrate on nationwide mass polio immunization but routine COVID-19 has been going on at health facilities across the country.

The renewed drive comes at a time when government agencies and some companies are either planning or have started barring unvaccinated people from accessing services or working.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-announces-mass-COVID-19-vaccination-3695048

KEY EMERGING ISSUES

DETAINED NOVELIST: KAKWENZA FINALLY RESURFACES IN IGANGA, ORDERED OUT OF KISAASI HOUSE

Award-winning satirical novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was finally released. Kakwenza who is facing charges of offensive communication was kidnapped from the Kitalya prison on Tuesday 25^th January 2022 shortly after Buganda Road court chief magistrate Douglas Singiza granted him bail. It was not immediately clear why he was kidnapped by people believed to be security personnel who stormed Kitalya prison and whisked him away.

His wife Eva Basiima said that Kakwenza was dumped at their home in Iganga district at around 3am on Wednesday 26^th January 2022. He had been taken to the hospital for treatment of torture wounds allegedly inflicted on him during his time in custody, adding that the family had also vacated their home in Kisaasi, a Kampala suburb after the landlord told them that he couldn't stand a tenant with 'issues.'

Kakwenza Rukirabashaija (L) with his lawyer Eron Kiiza

Source and details: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/72571-kakwenza-finally-resurfaces-in-iganga-ordered-out-of-kisaasi-house

RIGHT TO A FAIR HEARING: ICC ALLOWS ONGWEN’S APPEAL HEARING

The International Criminal Court (ICC) appeals chamber allowed an application by former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel commander, Dominic Ongwen, to appeal the ruling in which he was found guilty of war crimes.

Ongwen appealed the decision of the Trial Camber IX in which he was on February 4, 2021, convicted of crimes against humanity and war crimes, and he was on May 21, 2021, sentenced to 25 years.

On July 21, and August 26, 2021, Ongwen’s lawyers filed their appeal briefs against the conviction decision and sentencing respectively to the ICC appeals chamber. Later on October 21 and 26, 2021, the ICC prosecutor filed his response to the appeal, and the victims also filed their observations on the appeals on the same dates.

The Appeals Chamber of the ICC as a result ordered that a hearing be held from February 14 to February 18, 2022, to hear submissions and observations by the parties and participants on Ongwen’s appeal.

Former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel commander, Dominic Ongwen (AFP/FILE

Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/125461/icc-allows-ongwens-appeal-hearing

ACCESS TO JUSTICE, RIGHT TO FAIR HEARING: COURT RULES; IT IS ILLEGAL TO HOLD CIVILIANS IN MILITARY DETENTION

The High Court ordered for the immediate transfer of all Civilians being held in Military detention centers to Civilian Facilities. The order was issued by Justice Musa Ssekaana after he ruled that it is illegal to remand Civilians in Military facilities.

Justice Musa Ssekaana ruled that civilians in military detentions cannot get a fair trial since their lawyers and relatives cannot ably access them to prepare for hearing of their cases. The ruling was made after the family of a detained NRM Cadre Bruno Francis Bazibu dragged government and security agencies to Court for  unlawfully transferring him from Kitalya government  prison to  Makindye Military police barracks in Kampala.

Soldiers at the Makindye Military barracks. Image: Courtesy photo

Source and details: https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/latest/2022-01-24-court-rules-it-is-illegal-to-hold-civilians-in-military-detention/

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: RWANDA TO REOPEN BORDER WITH UGANDA

Rwanda agreed to open its common border with Uganda almost three years after it closed it in protest of mistreatment of Rwandans in Uganda. At the time, Kigali also accused Kampala of hosting opposition groups interested in overthrowing the Kagame administration.

While Rwanda had earlier insisted that the Gatuna/Katuna border will not open until the outstanding issues are resolved, on Friday 28^th January 2022 Kigali said it would open its common borders with Uganda on January 31 as both countries continue to work on the pending issues.

A border point between Rwanda and Uganda. Rwanda says it will reopen its border with Uganda from January 31, 2022. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

Story source and details: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/rwanda-uganda-reopen-border-3697126

KEY TAKE-AWAYS OF/FOR THE WEEK

1. Much as it is reported or seems that cases of COVID-19 are on the reducing end, there is need for all of us to remain vigilant and watchful for our lives (personal health and safety). Let’s listen in and follow the discussions from the Ministry of Health and any other communication in this regard.
2. The review of Uganda at the 40^th session of the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism is a good process that checks Uganda’s human rights record. Hopefully, all the recommendations that were made to Uganda by the Member States shall be adopted and implemented for the good of the Country and enjoyment and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
3. All human rights defenders, government institutions and development partners should continue to work together to ensure the promotion, protection and realization of rule of law in the country. At all material time, there should be consideration for the human rights based approach to actions undertaken by duty bearers in dealing with the citizenry.

Wishing you a fruitful week and start of February, 2022.