HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO. 36 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 3RD TO 9TH
OCTOBER, 2022
Welcome to this new week and, welcome back from the
Independence Day Celebrations that took place on Sunday 9th October,
2022 as we saw Uganda mark sixty years of independence. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/Independence/live-uganda-celebrates-60th-independence-anni-144724
On
Wednesday October 5, 2022, Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the
World Teachers’ Day. During the celebrations, arts and science teachers held
parallel celebrations and this according to sources was attributed to the
deteriorating relationship over salary discrepancies. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/arts-science-teachers-hold-parallel-functions-3974944
On October 7, 2022 the 51st regular sessions of the Human Rights Council which started last in September 2022 were concluded, and some key resolutions and decisions geared towards the protection and promotion of human rights globally were made. Special Rapporteurs were appointed during the session including Ms. Margaret Satterthwaite of the United States (Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers) and Ms. Paula Gaviria of Colombia (Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons).
Source: https://twitter.com/search?q=Human%20Rights%20Council&src=typeahead_click
As
we share with you these updates, today 10th October 2022 marks World
Mental Health Day details which we shall share in the next update. Each of
us needs to take keen attention to our mental health and wellness as the discussion
on the same continues to get onto the table.
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day
HEALTH
WATCH
EBOLA
DISEASE: ANOTHER HEALTH WORKER SUCCUMBS TO EBOLA IN FORT PORTAL
Another
health worker succumbed to Ebola. Dr. Margaret Nabisubi an anaesthetic officer
died last week Wednesday at 4.33 am at Fort Portal Regional Referral
hospital. Nabisubi, 58, is one of the six medical workers from Mubende
hospital who were transferred to Fort Portal last week after they tested positive
for Ebola. According to the Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng, Nabisubi was the
4th medic to succumb to Ebola.
On
Saturday October 1, 2022, Dr Mohammed Ali, a 37-year-old Tanzanian national
succumbed to Ebola. He was pursuing a Master of Medicine degree at Kampala
International University. He was buried at a cemetery in Fort Portal due
to safety and precautionary measures are taken while handling such epidemics.
Source:https://observer.ug/news/headlines/75423-another-health-worker-succumbs-to-ebola-in-fort-portal
KEY
EMERGING HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES
THE
RIGHT TO SECURITY AND PERSONAL LIBERTY: OTAFIIRE TO POLICE: I’M TIRED OF
UNLAWFUL ARRESTS AND FALSE IMPRISONMENT
As
cases of unlawful arrests and abductions by security operatives continue to be
reported in the country, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire
last week tasked the Inspector General of Police, Martins Okoth Ochola to
ensure that thorough investigations are conducted before any suspect is
apprehended. According to the minister, five out of 10 people arrested
unlawfully later turn out to be innocent.
“I
have heard many complaints of people being arrested without proper
investigations. You (police) receive reports, before investigating, the first
thing you do is just rush and arrest. And it looks like five out of 10 people you
arrest are actually innocent. You arrest and then investigate. Bwana IGP tell
these police officers that it should be the other way round. They have to
investigate and then arrest. Tell those gentlemen that I am tired of unlawful
arrests and false imprisonment. When you do that (unlawful arrest), not only do
you break the law, but you also commit the crime of abuse of office.
You're using your office to hurt an innocent person,” Gen Otafiire said.
He
made the remarks at Jinja Road Police in Kampala during the launch of a health
screening exercise at police stations.
He
warned that perpetrators in the police force will be held personally
accountable for any unlawful arrests and detentions.
The
minister’s remarks come as the country reels from the rampant unlawful arrests
and abductions by armed men believed to be security operatives.
ENHANCING ACCESS TO JUSTICE: JUDICIARY OPERATIONALISES 6 NEW HIGH COURT CIRCUITS
The
Judiciary operationalised six new High Court circuits in a bid to bring justice
closer to the citizens. The operationalisation of the High Court follows the
enhancement of the Judiciary’s budget to Shs381b and the appointment of more
judges.
The
new circuits are Hoima, Iganga, Luweero, Moroto, Tororo, and Rukungiri.
According to a press statement by the Judiciary, the delay in the
operationalisation was attributed to logistical and manpower issues.
The
Principal Judge, Dr Flavian Zeija, made the deployment of judges to these
circuits on September 18.The Chief Registrar, Ms Sarah Langa Siu, said the
circuits were designated under Statutory Instrument No. 55 of 2016.
“With
the operationalisation of these circuits, there will be improved access to
justice and service delivery. It will also contribute significantly to the
reduction of case backlog,” the Judiciary statement quotes the Chief
Registrar.
The Judiciary urged members of the public in the created new High Court
circuits to start filing their cases in those respective courts.
The creation of the new six circuits brings the total number of High Courts in
the country to 20.
Source
and details: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/judiciary-operationalises-6-new-high-court-circuits-3974974
UGANDA
- KENYA BILATERAL RELATIONS AND REGIONAL
STABILTY: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI APOLOGISES TO KENYA OVER SON MUHOOZI'S TWEETS
President
Yoweri Museveni issued a rare public apology to Kenyans for tweets sent out by
his son, Gen MuhooziKainerugaba about attacking and capturing Kenya within two
weeks.
Muhoozi
started a series of tweets on Monday October 3, 2022 announcing through his
official handle @mkainerugaba that he was on a mission to raze colonial borders
and capture Nairobi, within just two weeks. The tweets which covered feeds
across social media handles also sparked an online rage between Ugandans and Kenyans.
"…I
love my Kenyan relatives. Constitution? Rule of law? You must be joking! For
us, there is only the Revolution and you will soon learn about it!"
Muhoozi said in one of the tweets that were sent out shortly before the
ministry of Internal affairs disowned his sentiments.
Moments
later, President Museveni announced changes in the command of the Uganda
Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) sacking Muhoozi from the position of commander of
Land Forces in what was seen as a move to tame his son. Museveni said he had
sent out an apology to the President of Kenya William Ruto in regret of the
unbecoming approach exhibited by Muhoozi on social media.
He
explained that the only available legitimate forum for such engagements is the
Peer Review Mechanism of the African Union or confidential interactions within
the East African community and the African Union.
Museveni
explained that the move to promote Muhoozi to a four-star General, the highest
rank in the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), even after the online chaos,
was to appreciate the many other positive contributions he has made despite
acting negatively in recent days.
Source:https://observer.ug/news/headlines/75424-museveni-apologises-to-kenya-over-son-muhoozi-s-tweets
THE
RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION: STOP DENYING MEDIA INFORMATION - UHRC
The
chairperson of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Ms Mariam Wangadya, has
tasked government officials to desist from denying journalists information.
Ms Wangadya made the remarks yesterday at Makerere University in Kampala during
the commemoration of the International Day of Universal Access to Information.
“At the commencement of occupying any public
office, one has to take the oath of secrecy, and I for one has taken the oath
several times but public officials unduly hide behind the official Secrets Act
and oath of secrecy to deny the media and public information which is necessary
for them to make important decisions,’’ Ms. Wangadya said.
Ms.
Wangadya asked the government to revisit the laws that impede the enjoyment of
the right to access to information.
“I have observed over time that when
information lawsuits are filed against media houses, the damages awarded to the
plaintiffs are getting higher and higher and with time, this may have the
unfortunate effect of silencing the media,” she said.
Ms
Marie Nanyanzi, the senior programme officer of Twaweza, an organisation that
works on enabling children to learn, said: “Governments
should enhance access to information by ensuring that the channels through
which this information is accessed are affordable, there is equality in
accessing information and the channels should be easily accessible.”
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/stop-denying-media-information-uhrc-3975730
CONCLUDING
REMARKS
1. HRCU continues to urge all HRDs and
the general public to be cautious and sharp-eyed about the Ebola disease. Let
us continue to be vigilant and adhere to the set prevention and safety measures
by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.
2. HRCU would like to welcome the remarks
of Uganda Human Rights Commission Chairperson Ms. Mariam Wangadya who
appealed to authorities to stop denying media information. Media plays a
pivotal role in the protection and promotion of human rights and does this through
relaying information on the protection and promotion of human rights and
further exposing violations, especially by the duty bearer. Media is also an
advocacy tool for creating awareness on elements of good governance, human
rights, and rule of law.
3. The operationalisation of six new High Court circuits shall enhance access to justice to the public and also reduce aspects of case backlog which impede access to justice and the right to a fair trial. The new circuits will further support HRDs working in the field of access to justice.
We thank you for reading and wish
you a happy new week
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