HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.02 OF 2022

 THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)

WEEKLY UPDATE ON COVID-19 AND KEY EMERGING HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES WITHIN THE WORKING ENVIROMENT OF HRDS IN UGANDA

THE WEEK OF TO 17^TH TO 23^RD JANUARY 2022

Dear Human Rights Defender and HRCU Partner,

Greetings! Hoping that you and your Team(s) are well and keeping safe.

Welcome to the last week of January 2022! Next week shall usher us into February! The question is: “what have we accomplished in January?”

In this update, HRCU shares with you some of the stories from last week (17^th to 23^rd January, 2022) and continues to monitor the context in which human rights defenders operate.

There was talk about eviction of street vendors from Kampala city http://nilepost.co.ug/2022/01/23/eviction-of-street-vendors-leaves-traders-in-city-arcades-in-tears/; sky-rocketing fuel prices that many thought would have subsided by mid-week https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/outcry-as-uganda-fuel-crisis-escalates-3686958. We also saw owners of Bars and Entertainment centers preparing for re-opening after almost two years of “lockdown.” However, revelers shall have to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend concerts. https://www.independent.co.ug/revellers-will-need-proof-of-covid-19-vaccination-to-attend-concerts/

We are mindful that this Wednesday 26^th January 2022 shall be a public holiday as we commemorate Liberation day: https://publicholidays.africa/uganda/nrm-liberation-day/.

On Sunday 23^rd January 2022, we all woke up to the saddening news of the passing away of Bank of Uganda long term governor Emmanuel Mutebile https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/bank-of-uganda-governor-emmanuel-tumusiime-mutebile-dies-in-nairobi-3691090 . May his soul rest in everlasting peace and may his family, relatives, friends and the country at large find comfort and strength for each new day to come.

COVID-19 RELATED UPDATES

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 21 January 2022 confirm 206 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 160,352. The breakdown of the new cases is: 201 Alerts and Contacts: Kampala (69), Wakiso (61), Nabilatuku (11), Mbarara (11), Nakasongola (7), Kapchorwa (6), Kyotera (9), Gulu (5), Nakapiripirit (2), Namisindwa (1), Kikuube (1), Yumbe (1), Kwania (1), Bunyangabu (1), Bududa (1) Tororo (3), Hoima (1), Wakiso  (1), Moroto (1), Kayunga (1), Kalungu (1) Mukono (2), Amuru (2), Busia (1), Kisoro (1), 05 Truck drivers from Mityana.

Source: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG

COVID19 OMICRON VARIANT: UGANDA'S OMICRON CASES TO DROP BY JANUARY 22

If official National Planning Authority (NPA) projections hold true, the Omicron variant daily and weekly cases are expected to drop at the end of January after the weekly average for confirmed cases hit the highest recorded level. According to NPA’s weekly Covid-19 case projections issued on January 10, hospitalizations remained low despite the meteoric rise in cases.

Source: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/72496-uganda-s-omicron-cases-to-drop-by-january-22

COVID19 VACCINATION DRIVE: GOVT TARGETS TO VACCINATE 4 MILLION PEOPLE IN NEW CAMPAIGN

The Ministry of Health is set to resume the accelerated Covid-19 vaccination campaign to ramp up uptake of vaccines. Through the campaign, the ministry is targeting to vaccinate four million Ugandans in one week.

The campaign, first launched in November last year, seeks to mobilise Ugandans aged 18 and above to embrace vaccination, as well as dispelling myths surrounding the vaccines.

The ministry spokesperson, Mr. Emmanuel Ainebyoona, told Sunday Monitor on Friday 21^st January 2022 that the campaign had been paused as the ministry resources were re-focused to the polio mass vaccination drive that kicked off last week.

Vaccination will give you a fighting chance against Covid-19. PHOTO | COURTESY

Source and details: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-targets-to-vaccinate-4-million-people-in-new-campaign-3690902

BODA BODA RESTRICTIONS: GOVERNMENT URGED TO REMOVE CURFEW FOR BODA BODAS

E-Trade Association, an umbrella organization that converges companies and organizations that use the power of the internet to create jobs in Uganda has urged the government to ease COVID-19 restrictions on bodabodas and allow them to operate beyond 7pm. The association said the move will ease transportation mobility for Ugandans.

Blessing Owomugisha, the acting Secretary General Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the boda-boda sub-sector/ industry employs over 1.2 million people. It is the second largest employer in Uganda after agriculture and it provides a livelihood for close to seven million citizens who would otherwise be engaged in illegal and illicit activities and that it is also largely considered as one of the cheapest and most effective modes of transport that facilitates business engagement.”

E-Trade members addressing the press on January 17, 2022

Source and details: https://www.independent.co.ug/government-urged-to-remove-curfew-for-boda-bodas/

COVID19 VACCINATION: REVELLERS WILL NEED PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION TO ATTEND CONCERTS

Persons who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, will not be allowed to attend musical shows and concerts when the entertainment industry reopens. . on January 24, 2022, exactly 14 days after the reopening of schools, in line with guidelines issued by President Museveni at the beginning of the year. This is the first time that cinemas, bars, and recreation centres will be allowed to operate since March 2020, when Uganda announced its first lockdown as a measure to keep coronavirus disease at bay.

It is against this background that the Uganda National Cultural Centre-UNCC, the Ministry of Gender and the Ministry of Health have listed do’s and don’ts for the sector that usually attracts several revellers, often in a frenzy mood characterized by great excitement or wild behavior.

Ugandan artist Fik Fameica performs on a music concert. Revellers will be required to present proof of Covid-19 vaccination to attend musical shows and concerts. File Photo

Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/revellers-will-need-proof-of-covid-19-vaccination-to-attend-concerts/

KEY EMERGING HUMAN ISSUES:

STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN UGANDA: PRESIDENT DEFENDS UGANDA’S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD, “WE ARE SEASONED PEOPLE,”

President Yoweri Museveni strongly defended Uganda’s human rights record and said for the last 60 years, their struggle has been about promoting and defending human rights. The President was meeting Britain’s Minister for Africa, Ford Vicky at State House in Entebbe. The two leaders discussed various issues including trade, investments, human rights, regional peace and security among other things.

The President however acknowledged that they are still dealing with a precapitalist society where some people still have traditional ideas like beating people.

Museveni meets UK’s Minister for Africa, Ford Vicky. Image: PPU

Source: https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2022-01-21-president-defends-ugandas-human-rights-record-we-are-seasoned-people/

THE RIGHT TO LEGAL REPRESENTAION: LAWYER ‘FRUSTRATED’ OVER DENIED ACCESS TO TERROR SUSPECTS BY PRISONS

A lawyer representing 15 people charged with terrorism and aiding and abetting terrorism following the recent bomb blasts in Uganda told court that “they are being frustrated by prisons officials when they go to receive instructions from their clients. Mr. Geoffrey Turyamusiima told a Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate’s session on Friday that  as defense advocates, they  are made to go through several conditions and even when fulfilled, they  are told to first return to the prisons headquarters which of course is illegal,”.

Some of the terror suspects in court recently. PHOTO/COURTESY/URN

 Source and details: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/lawyer-says-frustrated-over-denied-access-to-terror-suspects-by-prisons-3684814

FREEDOM FROM TORTURE: PRISONS MEDICAL REPORT REVEALS KAKWENZA WAS TORTURED

A Prisons medical report said novelist Kwakenza Rukirabashaija had torture marks before he was brought into custody.  The writer is on remand at Kitalya prison on charges of using social media to make abusive, derogatory and belittling tweets against First Son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and President Museveni. 

According to a report signed by Dr James Kisambu on behalf of the Commissioner General of Prisons, The medical re-examination was requested for on January 13 and carried out on January 14 at Kitalya Mini Max Prison. The report revealed that the 33-year-old male prisoner remanded at Kitalya had  healing scars of wounds sustained before being remanded to prison.

The report came barely two days after the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) staff visited Mr. Kakwenza in prison and thereafter, tweeted about his condition.

Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija. PHOTO/FILE

Source and details please visit: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/prisons-medical-report-reveals-kakwenza-was-tortured-3689114

REVIVING THE UGANDA HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL: FATHER LOKODO TO CHAIR HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL - TO HEAR 123 CASES

After two years of inactivity, the Uganda Human Rights Tribunal is finally back to work and it will hear a total of 123 cases in a space of one month during sessions that started on the 17th of January 2022 and will be concluded on 24^th February 2022.

The tribunal, has not been sitting for two years because it was not fully constituted following the death of of its then Chairperson Med Ssozi  Kaggwa in November 2019. According to Uganda Human Rights Commission  Director of Complaints, Investigation and Legal Services, Ida Nakiganda, the month-long hearings will be held at Uganda Human rights regional offices in Fort Portal and Arua.

The Tribunal was fully   reconstituted after  President Yoweri Museveni appointed Ms. Mariam Wangadya as the chairperson of Uganda Human Rights Commission and four other Commissioners in August last year.

 

Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo. Courtesy Photo

Source: https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/latest/2022-01-18-father-lokodo-to-chair-human-rights-tribunal-to-hear-123-cases/

SHOT TRAFFIC OFFICER: TRAFFIC OFFICER SHOT BY CMI CORPORAL NOW IN ICU AFTER LOSING LEG

Police Constable Robert Mukebezi who was shot on Saturday 15^th January 2022 by an army officer in Kampala was admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) at UMC Victoria hospital after his leg got amputated.

Mukebezi was allegedly shot while on duty by an un-uniformed Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) officer, Corporal Babangida Bashir Mango attached to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) headquarters in Mbuya. He was shot as he attempted to tow a military vehicle, registration number H4DF 1391 that had veered off the road and rammed into a signpost at Kobil petrol station along Ntinda-Kiwatule road.

Mukebezi being wheeled into ICU

Source and details: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/72501-traffic-officer-shot-by-cmi-corporal-loses-leg

KEY TAKE-AWAYS OF/FOR THE WEEK

1. As the cases of the new Covid-19 omicron variant are reported to drop, and with  the full reopening of other sectors of the economy on 24^th January 2022, we need to note that COVID-19 is still with us and hence the set standard operating procedures  need  to be adhered to at all times Even after several other restrictions are lifted, we urge all HRDs  and the general public to continue wearing face masks, frequently washing hands or sanitizing and maintaining a social distance when interacting with anyone.
2. In relation to the President’s comments about Uganda’s human rights record and as Uganda and other countries prepare for review at the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva on 27^th January, 2022 https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UGindex.aspx, we can continue advocating for a better environment for the promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. There is need to reflect on the Constitutional provisions such as Articles 24 and 44 that speak against any form of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. All human beings ought to be treated with respect and dignity.
3. News of the revival of the Human Rights Tribunal is welcome with the request to systems and institutions of State shouldn’t only be in place but must be seen to perform their duties as set out in their founding documents, in this case Article 53 of the Constitution. There must be independence of institutions if justice is to be served and if in the ultimate, human rights and fundamental freedoms are to be promoted and protected.
4. Human Rights Based Approach ought to be employed in drafting and enforcement of regulations and laws. Before any officer steps out to deal with the public, they must reflect on the fact that they have to remain humane and understand the basic human rights standards. We are all united by life and therefore, no one should think highly of themselves than others. We need each other, no matter who we are.

We thank you for reading and sharing with us your feedback! Let’s keep in touch.