HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO. 35 OF 2022
THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA
(HRCU)
WEEKLY UPDATE ON THE KEY EMERGING
HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES WITHIN THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT OF HRDS IN UGANDA
THE WEEK OF 26THSEPTEMBER
TO 2ND OCTOBER, 2022
Dear Human Rights Defender and HRCU Partner,
Greetings! Welcome to this new month of October
2022.
As we get into the last quarter of the year, HRCU
continues to compile and share with you relevant information to keep you
updated on some of the issues within the human rights promotion and protection
environment. The idea is to see that human rights defenders and key
stakeholders/partners get to develop strategies and initiatives aimed at
ensuring that there is a conducive environment for civic engagement and
promotion, protection, and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all.
Please receive and read through some of the updates
compiled from last week. One of the key
highlights was that HRCU launched an online application where HRDs in Uganda
can report and document human rights abuses and violations. The application
also acts as a knowledge and information center for HRDs working on different
thematic issues. Please follow this link (https://hrdsinteract.org/) to
access the app and create an account for you to be able to report or share any
human rights abuse or violation that you have witnessed.
HRCU congratulates The Africa Institute for Energy
Governance (AFIEGO) upon winning the Right to Livelihood award. AFIEGO has over
the years been at the forefront of promoting and protecting environmental
rights and justice and natural resource protection. Details of this can be accessed here:https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/afiego-scoops-right-livelihood-award.html
HEALTH WATCH
EBOLA OUTBREAK: CONFUSION AS EBOLA
FIGURES FAIL TO ADD UP
A section of the public raised concerns over the
contradictory statistics on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) from the government
officials and the Health Ministry, which signal gaps in coordination and
information management.
The Health ministry attributed the confusion to the
changing situation of the epidemic and getting information from “wrong
sources”.
The Ebola taskforce in Mubende District, according
to reports, put the number of confirmed and suspected deaths at 22, while a
separate update from the Ministry of Health headquarters put it at 23.
In the report from the Health ministry headquarters,
the specific areas, where the deaths were reported from, were also not matching
with what the taskforce told our reporters.The two teams from Mubende and the
Ministry of Health headquarters also put the total confirmed cases at 16 and 18
respectively, based on separate statistics which reports got from both sources.
Source:https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/confusion-as-ebola-figures-fail-to-add-up-3964844
AS EBOLA SPREADS, UGANDA MEDICAL
INTERNS STRIKE OVER SAFETY
As Uganda reports more deaths from the latest Ebola
outbreak in the country, medical interns at the hospital handling most of the
cases went on strike.
The interns said they are not being provided with
adequate personal protective equipment against the deadly virus, which causes a
hemorrhagic fever. Uganda's Health ministry had so far confirmed five deaths
and 18 probable fatalities out of 36 cases by last week.
Ugandan Health officials said they are holding talks
with striking interns at Mubende District hospital, which is handling most of
the country’s spreading Ebola outbreak.President for the Federation for Uganda
Medical Interns, Dr Musa Lumumba, says there is not enough personal protective
gear for the interns at the hospital. Speaking to VOA by phone, he called on
the ministry of Health to urgently address the issue to protect
doctors-in-training.
Uganda Medical Association president, Dr Samuel
Oledo said one intern, three staff, and a medical student have been confirmed
for exposure to the virus and at least three senior health officers (SHO) are
showing symptoms.
KEY EMERGING HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES
STATE KIDNAPS: I CAN'T
SPEAK FOR YOU, SPEAKER TAYEBWA TELLS GOVT
The government has been tasked to explain the latest
wave of state abductions of opposition supporters that have swept across the
country.
The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) presented
video evidence of some of its supporters being abducted by both armed and
non-uniformed armed men in Wakiso, Mukono, Kampala, Masaka driving in the
infamous drone vehicles.
Although in the past government committed to present
all people who were previously arrested to be presented in court, on Wednesday
September 28, 2022, the deputy prime minister and minister without portfolio
Rukia NakadamaIsanga said it is absurd that state abductions are back as
reported by The Monitor this week. However, she asked
parliament to give the minister of Security Jim Muhwezi more time to explain
the matter.
The latest wave of state abductions comes at a time
when the ruling National Resistance Movement is under global scrutiny after its
human rights violations record was presented as one of the reasons why the
regime's most anticipated oil pipeline be halted for at least a year, pending a
review by environmentalists and human rights activists.
"Rt Hon speaker of course it is absurd. We
have seen what has been put in this parliament by the leader of opposition. It
is not good of course. I request that we give the minister of Security time to
come and give a statement since we have even new abductions that we have seen
in the papers," said Nakadama.
Deputy speaker of parliament Thomas Tayebwa said the
government should respect its commitment to resolve all issues arising from
illegal arrests. He said MPs from both the opposition and ruling party agreed
that government should in three months, come out and explain the steps taken to
address issues raised in the parliamentary report on human rights and prisons.
Source: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/75345-state-kidnaps-i-can-t-speak-for-you-tayebwa-tells-govt
JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE
AND RULE OF LAW: LAWYERS DISAGREE WITH MUSEVENI OVER JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE
A section of lawyers disagreed with President Yoweri
Kaguta Museveni over his statements questioning the independence of the
Judiciary.
According to lawyers, the judiciary’s independence
should not be questioned or subject to the amendment because it is provided for
under the constitution.
On Wednesday September 28, 2022 while speaking at
the fifth Annual Memorial Lecture of the first Ugandan Chief Justice Benedicto
Kiwanuka, Museveni said that there is a need to amend the prerequisite for the
independence of the judiciary arguing that the concept is being abused by some
judicial officers.
Museveni said that the Judiciary cannot be entirely
independent of the other arms of the government and proposes that there should
be a convergence of principles of justice because he sees a problem if it’s
only the judiciary that is benefiting to the detriment of the citizens.
Museveni was responding to the Uganda Law Society
President Bernard Oundo, who accused security personnel of not respecting and
implementing court orders. Oundo said such practices threaten the independence
of the Judiciary, rule of law, and constitutionalism.
But some lawyers have described Museveni’s
statements as unfortunate and done with the use of impunitive language.
Humphrey Tumwesigyesaid that it is unfortunate that
such a statement came from the President on a day the country is celebrating
the life of a person who was murdered.
He said such statements are an indication that
Uganda has not yet reached a level where every arm of government should be
allowed to do its job without influence from the executive.
Source and details:https://www.independent.co.ug/lawyers-disagree-with-museveni-over-judicial-independence/
SEXUAL
AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS: UGANDA REJECTS UN DEFINITION OF ABORTION AS
A HUMAN RIGHT
Uganda
joined several other African countries to oppose the contentious United Nations
Human Rights Committee’s definition of abortion as a human right.
The
World Health Organisation (WHO) defines abortion as termination of pregnancy
prior to 20 weeks gestation.Dr JescaNsungwa, the Commissioner for Maternal and
Child Health at the Ministry of Health, said that abortion in Uganda is illegal
and that the country does not support UN definition of the act as a human
right.
International
media reports indicated that a United Nations resolution defining abortion as a
human right and advancing gender ideology was passed early this month, and was
backed by majority of Western countries, but was rejected by others, especially
from Africa.
Article
22 of the 1995 Constitution provides for the right to life and Article 22(2)
clearly states that no one has the right to terminate an unborn child except if
authorised by law.
Dr
Nsungwa also said unsafe abortion is a vice that must be fought to save the
lives of women and girls. According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda loses
about 16 women and girls on a daily basis and complications arising from unsafe
abortion account for about 22 percent of deaths.
THE
WORK OF JOURNALISTS IN ISSUE: WHAT POLICE, UPDF SAID ABOUT JOURNALIST REMMY
BAHATI’S 'MISSING' FAMILY MEMBERS
Security officers in Fort Portal City, Kabarole
District in western Uganda said Sunday September 2, 2022 that they had arrested
five people in a Saturday evening operation on allegations of impersonation and
illegal possession of a firearm.
The information was brought to light after a Ugandan US-based journalist Ms Remmy
Bahati tweeted saying plain-clothed men driving in a Toyota Hiace vehicle,
notoriously known in Uganda as a drone, had stormed her father’s house and
abducted her brother Kelvin Katungi, her cousin Mugume Latif and a friend only
identified as Abala who was visiting the family.
“Armed
plain-clothed men driving a drone with no plates have stormed my 76-year-old
father’s house in Fort Portal City searching for ‘guns’. They didn’t find any
& abducted my brother, cousin and his friend who was visiting. Their
whereabouts are unknown. Help me find them” Ms Bahati tweeted on Saturday
Septemeber 1, 2022 at around 10pm.
In response to the tweet, UPDF promised to
investigate the matter.
However, at around 12pm on Sunday, the UPDF
spokesperson Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, Tweeted saying one Allan Kanyesige had
been arrested for masquerading as a soldier.
“Last evening, the flying Squad arrested
a one Allan who has been masquerading as a soldier. The police had an arrest
warrant and sought support from Mountain Division Hqs. He is being held at Fort
Portal Central Police station,” Brig Gen Kulayigye tweeted at around
12:19pm.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
1.
As
the country continues to register a rise in Ebola cases, ( see here https://twitter.com/MinofHealthUG) , HRCU appeals to all HRDs and the
general public to edify vigilance measures and also adhere to the safety and
prevention guidelines shared by the
Ministry of Health and WHO.
2.
In
human rights defending, the State must ensure that all measures/forms
restricting the right to defend human rights, including those limiting certain rights such as the right to freedom of expression, association, and
peaceful assembly, are human rights “centered” and adhere to standards such
as the human rights-based approach. The State must also recognize and
appreciate that human rights defenders play a pivotal role in watching that the
measures taken by authorities do not infringe undeservedly on human rights, and
also help in raising alarm on the rights of marginalized groups. Therefore, the
State should ensure that HRDs exercise
their work without any form of threat, intimidation, and reprisal.
3.
Every new week and month comes with its own uniqueness. As human
rights defenders, we must always step out with an open mind to face the day's
hurdles and embrace the numerous opportunities it shall present. In addition, critical
thinking and reflection are a must as they will lead to new ideas about solving
the existing realities and challenges.
We thank you for
reading. Wishing you a happy new month
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