HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.6 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 14TH TO
20TH FEBRUARY 2022
Welcome
to this new week, another opportunity for us to advocate for a better
environment where human rights and fundamental freedoms are promoted protected
and realized. It remains pertinent for us to continue generating new ideas on
how to address the emerging human rights issues since some may require diverse
approaches.
In the course of last week;
There
were concerns on the continued acts of torture in the country and some
survivors of torture, petitioned the office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) indicating that they were not happy with Uganda Human Rights
Commission (UHRC) for its silence on the continued acts of torture and human
rights violation: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/torture-survivors-petition-un-to-stop-funding-uhrc-3717144
Parliament
of Uganda passed the Markets Bill, 2021that repealed the Markets Act Cap.94 of
1942. The bill aims at providing a comprehensive legal framework to strengthen
the regulation, administration and management of markets: https://www.eyewitnessug.com/parliament-passes-the-market-bill-2021/
In
response to COVID-19, Government of Uganda together with the World Bank, signed
a financing agreement of $180.3 million
to adequately prepare the country’s response to COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/world-bank-injects-shs600b-in-govt-covid-19-response--3721326
There
was commemoration of the 7th Archbishop Janani Luwum Day https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/uganda-commemorates-7th-janani-luwum-day.html.
His contribution to speaking out against human rights violations and abuses of
the time cannot be underestimated. He stood for the truth even to the point of
death.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Results of COVID-19 tests done on 18 February 2022 confirm 28
new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 163,032. The breakdown of
the new cases is: 28 Alerts and Contacts: Kampala (12), Mityana (2), Jinja (1),
Gulu (1), Moyo (1), Kitagwenda (1) Kasese (3), Isingiro (3), Kyegegwa (2),
Amuru (2).
Source: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG
RESPONSE TO COVID-19: UGANDA
RECEIVES 1,000 OXYGEN CYLINDERS
The
Ministry of Health received more than 1000 oxygen cylinders that were donated
by the Danish International Development Agency-DANIDA. The Danish agency
procured the oxygen cylinders through the World Health Organization-WHO as part
of their donations to Uganda’s response to COVID-19.
While
handing over the cylinders, Dr. Yonas Wodermariam, the WHO Country
representative, said that the cylinders will be a game-changer for COVID-19
patients and those suffering from other diseases.
Minister Aceng receives the cylinders from the WHO.
PHOTO WHO MEDIA
Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/covid-19-uganda-receives-1000-oxygen-cylinders/
COMBATING
COVID-19: UGANDAN COVID-19 VACCINE TRIAL TO
START IN 8 MONTHS
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation,
Dr Monica Musenero, said testing the locally-developed Covid-19 vaccines on
human beings will start in eight months.
Addressing journalists in Kampala on Tuesday 15th
February 2022, Dr. Musenero said the vaccine, which has already been tested in
common mice, has proven safe and it is capable of triggering an immune
response.
She said the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Makerere
University scientists is only waiting for the last testing on genetically-engineered
mice before trials on humans can start.
The
Minister for science and Technology, Dr Monica Musenero pictured on November
26, 2021appearing before the Select Committee of Parliament that is
investigating allegations that she misused Shs31 billion meant to facilitate
the development of a local Covid-19 vaccine. PHOTO | ARTHUR WADERO
LIFTING COVID-19 MEASURES: NO MORE
MANDATORY COVID TESTING AT ENTEBBE AIRPORT
Travelers entering Uganda will no longer have to
undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing as it has been the case. The new measures
took effect on February 16, 2022.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of
Health, the decision to stop testing was made by Cabinet on 14th
February 2022 during its weekly meeting.
This also came after the health ministry decided to
stop travelers due to a reduction in COVID-19 reported cases. Records from the
health ministry show that the number of new COVID-19 cases has gone down. The
positivity rate in the country now stands at 1 percent.
Main airport Entebbe
Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/no-more-mandatory-covid-testing-at-entebbe-airport/
COVID-19 RESPONSE: WORLD BANK INJECTS SHS600B IN GOVT
COVID-19 RESPONSE
More than 11.7 million people in Uganda will get
vaccines following the signing of the financing agreement of $180.3 million
(more than Shs633b) for the additional financing of the Uganda Covid-19
response and emergency preparedness project (UCREPP).
The World Bank has been the largest financier of Covid-19 related needs in
Uganda since the outbreak of the disease in the country in March 2020.
L-R: World
Bank Uganda country manager, Mukami Kariuki, Finance minister Matia Kasaija and
Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng during the signing of the financing agreement
of $180.3 million for the additional funding of the Uganda Covid-19 response
and emergency preparedness project (UCREPP). PHOTO/ FRANK BAGUMA
FREEDOM FROM TORTURE: TORTURE SURVIVORS PETITION UN TO STOP FUNDING UHRC
Dozens
of torture survivors on Monday 14th February 2022 thronged the
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), accusing the Uganda
Human Rights Commission of being silent on torture incidents by security
operatives.
Mr. John Bosco Sserunkuuma, a Councillor in Wakiso District, led more than 50
members of the Torture Survivors of Uganda, to seek justice.
The
petition came at a time when torture incidents have increased with the most
recent victims being Mr Samuel Masereka, a NUP coordinator from Kasese
District, and Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who has since fled the country.
In
their petition, the survivors of torture indicate that many NUP party members,
who are led by Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, are still being held without
trial.
The coordinator of Torture
Survivors of Uganda, Mr John Bosco Sserunkuuma (right), with his colleagues at
the United Nations Human Rights head offices in Kololo, Kampala, on February
14, 2022. PHOTO | ABUBAKER LUBOWA
VISITING TORTURE VICTIMS IN
DETENTION: COURT ALLOWS NGO TO VISIT DETAINED KAMPALA BOMB SUSPECTS
Buganda Road Magistrate Court granted the African
Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) permission to
go to prisons to conduct checks on the 22 suspects said to have been behind the
deadly twin bombings in Kampala last year.
The group linked to the deadly suicide bomb attacks
in the Kampala city centre that left scores dead and dozens injured in November
last year, on Tuesday, February 15th appeared before Buganda
Road magistrate court for the mention of their case.
These through their lawyers also asked the court to
allow the African Center for Torture and Rehabilitation of Victims, ACTV to
subject them to medical examination, to ascertain the extent of their
injuries.
The magistrate went ahead and granted their request
allowing the ACTV to visit the suspects in their respective detention
facilities.
A bomb explosion crime Scene
Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/127347/court-allows-ngo-to-visit-detained-kampala-bo
DIGITALIZING JUDICIAL PROCESSES: JUDICIARY TO ROLL OUT ELECTRONIC CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MARCH
The
Judiciary is set to roll out use of the Electronic Court Case Management Information
system (ECCMIS) in March, 1st, 2022. The judiciary Permanent
Secretary Pius Bigirimana told journalists in Kampala that the system will,
among other things; enable citizens to file cases online, make payments
and receive automated reminders to court summons and judgments.
He
says the system launched in October 2021 will be piloted in 18 courts including
the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Jinja High Court, all the seven
High Court divisions (Land, Commercial, Family, Anti-Corruption, War Crimes and
Civil division).
Pius Bigirimana
Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/judiciary-to-roll-out-electronic-case-management-system-in-march.html
SPEAKING AGAINST HUMAN
RIGHTS VIOLATIONS: CHURCH TO STATE: IN LUWUM’S NAME STOP ONGOING TORTURE
The Church of Uganda asked the government to
conclusively investigate and end reported cases of torture of civilians, many
of them political opponents and critics. Speaking at the 45th commemoration of
the martyrdom of archbishop Janani Luwum on 16th February 2022,
archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu said eliminating cruelty allegedly
perpetrated by State operatives, and enforcing accountability, would make the
annual tribute to the slain prelate “meaningful”
Janani
Luwum was the second African archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and
Boga-Zaire, and a fierce critic of the excesses of the Idi Amin regime that
killed him in the year of the centennial anniversary of the founding of the
Anglican province here.
Vice President Jessica Alupo
(3rd right), First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga (2nd right) and other
government officials with some of the members of Janani Luwum family during
celebrations to mark Janani Luwum Day at Kololo in Kampala on February 16,
2022. PHOTO/ABUBAKER LUBOWA
KEY TAKE AWAYS OF THE WEEK
- The signing of the COVID-19 response financing agreement between Uganda and the World Bank is a welcome move which will help in improving on the measures of how to respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic like the procuring of more vaccines to immunize the population especially that the confirmed cases have continued to reduce. There’s also need to continue observing the set prevention measures of washing hands, wearing a face mask, keeping a social distance and embracing vaccination.
- Digitalization of the court proceedings through the rolling out of electronic case management will help in promoting and easing access to justice through the reduction of case backlog and timely hearing of cases.
- Suspected criminals have inalienable and non-derogable rights while in detention which may include respect for human dignity and protection from inhuman treatment as stated under Articles 24 and 44 (a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. Whereas cases of torture continue to transpire, they are highly condemned and it’s important that the victims are allowed to access medical treatment.
We thank you for reading. Please feel
free to share your feedback with us!
Comments
Post a Comment