HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.11 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 21^ST TO 27^TH MARCH 2022

Dear Reader, welcome to a new week!

We are to continue sharing with you updates on COVID-19 and the salient issues within the HRDs working environment as they do emerge in the course of the week.

HRCU condoles with the family, Parliament of Uganda, Government and the general public for the passing of Hon. Jacob L'Okori Oulanyah who was the Speaker of the 11^th Parliament at the time of his death. He will be remembered as a prominent human rights defender who vastly contributed to the protection and promotion of human rights.

Beginning with an update on COVID-19 situation in Uganda:

COVID-19 UPDATES

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 25 March 2022 confirm 19 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 163,862. The breakdown of the new cases is: 19 Alerts and Contacts: Soroti (4), Gulu (3), Kampala (7), Adjumani (1) Isingiro (2), Kasese (1), Busia (1)

Source: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG

COVID-19 WAS A WAKE UP CALL TO UGANDAN SCIENTISTS

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago was a wake-up call to scientists in Uganda. Scientists argued that the outbreak of covid-19 led to the country’s first attempt to manufacture a vaccine for a disease. In addition to this, due to the ban on the importation of some medicines, chemotherapists began looking into a cure for COVID-19.

Dr. Monica Musenero, the Minister of Science and Technology who was then the Presidential Advisor on Epidemics says before the pandemic, many scientists were in the comfort zone waiting for solutions from abroad.

Dr. Monica Musenero. File Photo

Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/covid-19-was-a-wake-up-call-to-ugandan-scientists/

COVID-19 TREATMENT: FINANCE TO RELEASE SH3BN FOR CLINICAL TRIALS OF IVERMECTIN

President Yoweri Museveni directed the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to release sh3.024 billion to facilitate research on the use of Ivermectin prophylaxis in the treatment of COVID-19 infection.

Museveni talking about COVID-19 during the lockdown. PHOTO PPU

Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/covid-finance-to-release-sh3bn-for-clinical-trials-of-ivermectin/ 

SOME MATTERS FOR INFORMATION:

On Tuesday 22^nd March, 2022,  Human Rights Watch launched a human rights report titled, “I only need Justice; Unlawful Detention and Abuse in Unauthorized Places of Detention in Uganda” which documents enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, torture, and other ill-treatment by the police, army, military intelligence, and Uganda’s domestic intelligence body, the Internal Security Organization (ISO), most in unlawful places of detention in 2018, 2019, and 2021inclduing the 2021 general election period.

Human Rights Watch called on Uganda's government to stop using illegal detention centres as a weapon against dissidents and close the facilities.

(L-R) Samuel Herbert Nsubuga, CEO, ACTV, Marita Mugasha, SPO- Research and Training, HRCU, Oryem Nyeko, Researcher, HRW while at the launch of the report at Protea Hotel In Kampala on 22^nd March 2022

A copy of the report can be accessed via https://www.hrw.org/report/2022/03/22/i-only-need-justice/unlawful-detention-and-abuse-unauthorized-places-detention

Also see: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/rights-group-urges-uganda-to-shut-secret-torture-sites-3756396

ANITA AMONG IS UGANDA’S NEW SPEAKER WITH 401 VOTES

On Friday 25^th March 2022, Parliament of Uganda elected NRM flag bearer Anita Among Speaker by 401 votes to replace the Jacob Oulanyah who passed on two weeks ago. Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa who was flag bearer for the opposition, got 66 votes.

The special sitting of the House for election of the speaker took place at the Kololo ceremonial grounds.

Among took oath as Speaker and received instruments of power from President Museveni. PHOTO PARLIAMENT MEDIA

Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/anita-among-is-ugandas-new-speaker-with-401-votes/

PROMOTING THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION: CHILDFUND UGANDA DISTRIBUTES 660 TEXTBOOKS TO BUSIA SCHOOLS

ChildFund Uganda through their Local Partner Busia Area Communities Federation (BUACOFE) spearheaded the initiative of improving teaching and learning for primary children in Busia district by donating over 600 primary school textbooks worth UGX 21 million to 15 schools.

This initiative was informed by an educational stakeholders’ meeting that BUACOFE held in Busia District in 2020 during which 15 ChildFund supported schools, teachers and school administrators recommended some specific textbooks that if purchased and supplied to the schools would improve learning outcomes for the children. Following this call, the textbooks which were purchased from renowned textbooks publishers in Uganda cover all the subjects taught and in all the seven classes of primary level.

The Deputy RDC Mr. Tusubira Mathew handing over Text Books to Mr Adika the Head Teacher of Bukwekwe PS(1)

ACCESS TO JUSTICE: COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS FOR JAILED MPS SSEGIRINYA, SSEWANYANA ADJOURNED AGAIN

The State concluded investigations into the murder case against jailed opposition legislators Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North) and Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West).

While appearing before Masaka Grade One Magistrate, the area Resident State Attorney, Mr Richard Birivumbuka also told court that “The committal papers for the accused persons to high court for trial will be ready in the next court sitting.”

Mr Birivumbuka also informed presiding magistrate, Ms Christine Nantegge, that the State was not able to make amendments in the charge sheet as promised in the last court sitting.

Defence lawyers Shamim Malende and Erias Lukwago chat outside the courtroom after the session on March 23, 2022. PHOTO | FAHAD MALIK JJINGO

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/committal-proceedings-for-jailed-mps-ssegirinya-ssewanyana-adjourned-again-3757760

RISING COMODITY PRICES: GULU PRIEST THREATENS TO ORGANISE MASS PROTESTS OVER HIGH PRICES

A Catholic priest in Gulu city petitioned President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni protesting the persistent high rise of commodity prices and cost of living in the country.

Rev Fr Justine Uma Erick the parish priest of Holy Rosary Church demanded an urgent intervention by the president to reign over the different ministries and arms of government to ensure that the high prices of commodities being experienced are normalized. He noted that it has become unbearable for the poor people.   

Prices of commodities have risen up

Source: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/73133-gulu-priest-threatens-to-mobilise-masses-over-high-prices

CONCLUDING REMARK:

All efforts geared towards the promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms are highly welcome and appreciated. We must regularly be reminded that each of us is a human rights defender and thus have the responsibility to keep watch, document and report any matters amounting to abuse and violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In working together, we will see the desired change – a society where everyone enjoys their universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.

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