HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.9 OF 2022
WEEKLY UPDATE ON COVID-19 AND KEY EMERGING HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES WITHIN THE WORKING ENVIROMENT OF HRDS IN UGANDA
THE WEEK OF 7TH TO 13TH MARCH, 2022
Welcome to a new week!
We’re privileged to share with you our weekly updates gathered from last week in this week’s edition.
Celebrations to mark International Women’s Day took place 8th March, 2022 at Kololo Independence Grounds with the President as the Chief Guest. In his speech, the president noted that “In a society like Uganda, security, Education, Economic empowerment, Political empowerment, play a vital role in empowering women and advancing gender equality” https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/128792
President Museveni with the First lady Janet Museveni during the Women Day Celebrations at Kololo independence grounds
Image Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/128792
The International Women’s day is held to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and Women HRDs in Uganda and world at large. This year’s International Women’s Day was celebrated globally under the theme “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”, and call for climate action for women, by women.
As part of Uganda’s celebrations of International Women’s Day, The Human Rights Centre Uganda led by its Executive Director Ms. Margaret Sekaggya together with the Prime Minister of Uganda Ms. Robinah Nabanjja were invited to read the 9pm news on 88.8 Central Broadcasting Service (CBS) FM, a local radio station.
The Commander of Land Forces Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba who also doubles as the first son through his Twitter account, announced his retirement from the army, news that left many Ugandans pondering. The tweet through which the general announced his retirement can be accessed via the link below.
https://twitter.com/mkainerugaba/status/1501146903249141763
The Masindi Resident State Attorney Mr. Charles Bwiiso was arrested by the State House Anti- Corruption Unit over Shs3m bribe to close a defilement case file. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/state-prosecutor-arrested-over-shs3m-bribe-to-close-defilement-case-file-3743546.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Results of COVID-19 tests done on 12 March 2022 confirm 11 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases is 163,517. The breakdown of the new cases is: 11 Alerts and Contacts: Kampala (9), Wakiso (1), Tororo (1).
Source: https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG
PUBLIC HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2021: PRIVATE HEALTH SECTOR FEDERATION NON-COMMITTAL ON MANDATORY VACCINATION
The private health sector officials under their umbrella body, the Uganda Health Care Federation sought more time from Members of parliament to make a decision on government’s proposal that seeks to make vaccination mandatory.
Led by the Federation Executive Director Grace Kiwanuka, the officials on Monday 7th March 2022 appeared before Parliament’s Health Committee that is currently considering the Public Health (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Government seeks to make vaccination mandatory.
COVID-19 DEATHS: GLOBAL COVID-19 DEATH TOLL TOPS 6MILLION: WHO
The worldwide death toll inflicted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic surpassed six million, reaching 6,004,421 as of Tuesday 8th March 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Globally, as of 4:31 p.m. CET on Tuesday 8th March 2022, there have been 446,511,318 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,004,421 deaths, reported the WHO.
Death toll inflicted by the ongoing COID-19 pandemic has surpassed six million
Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/global-covid-19-death-toll-tops-6million-who/
COVID-19 VACCINATION DRIVE: OVER 7 MILLION PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 – ACENG
The Minister of Health Ms. Jane Ruth Aceng revealed that over 7 million people have been fully vaccinated as the country gears up its Covid-19 vaccination drive.
Ms. Aceng made the remarks while receiving a consignment of 2,944,800 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine donated by the governments of Spain, France, and Norway at the National Medical Stores (NMS) headquarters in Entebbe on Wednesday 9th March 2022.
Ambassador Jaime Fernandez- Rua of Spain (3rd L) hands over the consignment of vaccines to NMS General Manager Moses Kamabare (M) and Health Minister Ruth Aceng (2nd R) in Entebbe on Wednesday. Photo | Paul Adude
KEY EMERGING ISSUES
PROTECTION AGAINST FORCED EVICTIONS: MUSEVENI ASKS CHIEF JUSTICE TO PREVAIL OVER JUDGES ISSUING EVICTION ORDERS
President Museveni asked the Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo to prevail over the judges and magistrates issuing land titles indicating that they are colluding with land grabbers.
”By a copy of this letter, I request His Lordship the Chief Justice to prevail on his Magistrates and judges from violating the Constitution by illegally evicting our people in collation with the land grabbers,” President Museveni in his February 28, 2020 letter to the Prime Minister read in part.
Mr. Museveni further directed the Ministry of Lands to inform the Attorney General about any abuses by judicial officers so that legal action can be taken.
Some family members with their property after they were evicted from a disputed land in Nebbi Municipality last month. PHOTO | PATRICK OKABA
Source and details: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/museveni-asks-cj-to-prevail-over-judges-issuing-eviction-orders-3742060
THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR BAIL: STATE TO AMEND CHARGES IN SSEGIRINYA, SSEWANYANA CASE
Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West) and Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North) on 10th March 2022 again failed to secure bail as highly anticipated after the State filed an application seeking to amend the charge sheet in their murder case.
The prosecution led by Mr Richard Birivumbuka told the court presided over by Masaka Grade One Magistrate, Ms Christine Nantegge that he wanted to amend the charge sheet and sought adjournment with the assurance that the duo will be committed to High Court in the next sitting.
Legislators Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana following court session via zoom link from Kigo Prision on March 10, 2022. Photo | Malik Fahad Jjingo
NSSF MID-TERM CASH: NSSF CONTRIBUTORS TO GET MID-TERM CASH NEXT WEEK
Nearly 8,000 people eligible for the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) midterm benefits are expected to start receiving the cash by 17th March 2022.
Mr Richard Byarugaba, the managing director of NSSF, said although the law permits a maximum of 45 working days, processing of applications and payments should be “nearly instantaneous” given the new systems and capabilities.
Claimants have also been given the discretion to choose the date and month to be paid.
People show frustration at Kololo after they were asked to return on Wednesday for the registration of the 20 percent NSSF midterm access funds. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI
THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION FOR PWDs: UNDER STAFFING AFFECTING WORK AT UGANDA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
The Uganda school for the deaf administration cited under staffing as a key challenge in executing their duties. Speaking during the launch of the theme “Her Voice matters” for the She Leads project, Tumuhairwe Juliet Mary, Head teacher of the Uganda school for the deaf in Ntinda said they don’t have enough trained teachers to manage the children.
Another challenge was the lack of books written in both sign language and English, but the head teacher said the teachers are doing their work very well to help these children be able to sit the primary examination at the end of seven years.
Learners at the Uganda school for the deaf attending the launch of "Her Voice Matters"campaign at their school in Ntinda Image: Gloria Nakiyimba
KEY TAKE AWAYS OF THE WEEK
- The donation of 2, 944,800 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine to the country, is significant in boosting the ongoing vaccination drive against the disease https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG/status/1501503691987329026.
- The action/directive by the president of Uganda against land evictions is a move aiming at protecting and promotion key human rights that include the right to adequate housing and the right to property .The right to adequate housing contains freedoms that among include protection against forced evictions and arbitrary destruction and demolition of one’s home. Furthermore, the right to adequate housing entails entitlements that include security of tenure, housing land and property restitution and Participation in housing-related decision-making at the national and community levels.
- In our strive for gender balance and an equal world for women and men, one of the ways to achieve so, is to accord women and girls equal opportunities in schools, leadership positions, work places and within our communities so that they are equally be exposed to avenues that will empower, and construct them. The 1995 Uganda Constitution under Article 33 recognizes the rights of women and emphasizes that women shall be accorded full and equal dignity of the person with men. It’s on the same that major stakeholders and law enforcers, ensure that available laws to protect women against all biases and discrimination are fully realized and protected.
- Statistics from the World Bank and World Health Organization estimate that globally, about one billion people experience some form of disability. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/disability#1 . Human rights Instruments like The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and national laws like the Persons With Disabilities Act, 2019, advocate and promote the full integration and respect of persons with disabilities in societies and this includes advancing their right to education. To note, government as the key duty bearer, holds the obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the right to education of people with disabilities, and this can be done through the implementation of initiatives like inclusive education.
We are committed to keeping you informed on the emerging issues within which HRDs operate.
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