HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO. 43 OF 2022

 

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE UGANDA (HRCU)

WEEKLY UPDATE ON KEY EMERGING HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES WITHIN THE WORKING ENVIROMENT OF HRDS IN UGANDA

THE WEEK OF 21ST TO 27TH NOVEMBER 2022

Dear reader,

Welcome to this new week!

Please receive and read through some of the key issues that emerged from last week within the human rights and human rights defenders context in Uganda.  

HRCU joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s 16 days of Activism Campaign. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence on Women and girls is an annual campaign that begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through International Human Rights Day on 10 December. This year’s campaign is marked under the theme UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls. To read more about the campaign, please visit: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism

The fight against violence on women and girls remains a shared role which doesn’t only require women but also men.

HRCU’s Ag. Head of Programmes Mr. Robert Mugisa joins the world to mark the campaign

Please see use the link https://youtu.be/XDQbwISpuz8 to access the message

HEALTH WATCH

EBOLA NOW UNDER CONTROL – MINISTER JANE RUTH ACENG

Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng stated that the Ebola outbreak is now under control and that the ministry has begun to see a decrease in the number of cases.

Aceng stated that the ministry has not received any new Ebola cases in more than ten days. Aceng told journalists on Wednesday November 23, 2022 that Mubende, which was initially one of the epicenters of the outbreak, will now be removed from the follow-up list if there is no new case for 42 days.

“If we can consistently provide 21 days, followed by another 21 days, Mubende will be taken from the follow-up list, which will be a gain for Uganda,” she continued.

Source:https://nilepost.co.ug/2022/11/24/ebola-now-under-control-minister-aceng/

DIGITALISING HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION AND PROMOTION: UHRC LAUNCHES APP TO REPORT RIGHTS ABUSE

The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) on November 24, 2022 launched an online app that citizens will use to lodge their complaints.

The online app dubbed “UHRC APP” targets majorly those in the rural areas who cannot move to their headquarters in Kampala to register complaints.
“This app is a one stop centre that tells you everything about the Commission. It is no longer necessary now to travel from Arua or Kabala that you are looking for the UHRC headquarters.

The app has a provision for frequently ask questions. People in rural areas will have access to everything they need through this app,” Mr. Byonabye Kamadi, the director for research education and documentation at the commission, said

The Chairperson of the commission, Ms Mariam Wangadya, said the app will enable citizens to enjoy, defend and claim their rights when violated.  
“It is the real-time for information exchange and engagement; the faster lodging of complaints without having to first travel to offices. 

Uganda has recorded several cases of human rights abuses, the most recent being that of Mpologoma Majjambere, an NRM supporter, who was allegedly assaulted by members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, at the burial ceremony of Suleiman Jakana Nadduli on October 23.

The core mandate of the commission is to protect and promote fundamental human rights and freedoms in Uganda for sustainable development. 

Ruling NRM party supporter Ivan Kamuntu Majambere (right) arrives at Uganda Human Rights Commission headquarters in Kampala where he had gone to ask for help to asylum in the US. PHOTO/ABUBAKER LUBOWA 

Source:https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uhrc-launches-app-to-report-rights-abuse-4032842

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM CAMPAIGN: SPEAKER AMONG CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS AGAINST GBV

The speaker of Parliament, Hon. Anita Among challenged the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development, to implement laws against gender-based violence among women and girls.

She was speaking at the launch of the 16 days of activism against women and girls at parliament where she revealed that government hasn’t done enough to popularize the existing laws against the vice.

Meanwhile, Among urged stakeholders to also target boys in this campaign, explaining that they end up on the streets as a result of gender-based violence.

In her speech, the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda, Karin Boven, said they will partner with parliament to ensure that gender-based violence is fought in Uganda.

The gender minister, Betty Amongi decried the vice which she said has forced girls to drop out of school and get married at a tender age.


Source:https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/speaker-among-calls-for-implementation-of-laws-against-gbv.html

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE: 200 KILLED IN GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ANNUALLY - GOVT

At least 223 women and girls succumb to gender and sexual violence every year, the Minister of Gender, Ms Betty Amongi, said.

While officiating at the launch of this year’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence in Kampala last week, Ms. Amongi said the vice should be highlighted just like those caused by accidents and childbirth-related complications for  partners to appreciate the severity of the problem and  strengthen interventions.

Ms Amongi said during the Covid-19 pandemic, a woman approached her for advice after the husband impregnated their two daughters but she  feared to report the case to police.

According to the 2021 police crime report, about 16,242 cases of gender-based violence were recorded last year Out of these, 8,064 were domestic violence, 6,838 defilement, 749 rape and 223 were aggravated domestic violence that resulted in death

A total of 144 cases of indecent assault and 29 cases of child abduction were also reported. Ms. Amongi also called for stronger structures at all levels so that cases can easily be reported.

Minister of Gender, Ms. Betty Amongi

Source:https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/200-killed-in-gender-based-violence-annually-govt-4032494

THE RIGHT TO LIFE: UPDF SOLDIER WHO SHOT DEAD BODA BODA RIDER AT KAWANDA SS ARRESTED

The Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) arrested a Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) soldier, Abdul Ssali after he allegedly shot dead a boda boda rider at the gate of Kawanda Secondary School in Wakiso district on Friday November 25 last week in a road rage.

Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson identified the victim as Ronald Waliggo, 38, who was riding a motorcycle registration number, UEG 721C. Upon arrest, Ssali allegedly claimed he shot Waliggo in self-defence because other boda boda riders wanted to lynch him.

According to eyewitnesses, it is alleged that Ssali and Waliggo got into a misunderstanding when Ssali driving a military vehicle, a Land Cruiser reg no. H4DF 1939 was leaving the school premises after picking up his senior three student. Due to the Ebola outbreak, the government ordered schools to close the third term earlier on November 25.

Kawanda SS gate where Ronald Waliggo was shot dead at 

Source:https://observer.ug/news/headlines/75994-updf-soldier-who-shot-dead-boda-boda-rider-at-kawanda-ss-arrested

REGIONAL PEACE AND STABILTY: UN SECURITY COUNCIL TELL M23 REBELS TO WITHDRAW, DISARM

Members of the United National Security Council (UNSC) told armed groups, including M23 rebels, in Eastern DR Congo to withdraw from captured territory and disarm.

The members of the Security Council called on all armed groups to immediately cease all forms of violence and urged all Congolese armed groups to participate unconditionally in the disarmament, demobilisation, community recovery and stabilisation programme, and foreign armed groups to immediately disarm and return to their countries of origin,” the UNSC members’ statement read in part.

Since the renewal of fighting in Eastern DR Congo by M23 rebels, activities at three key borders of Uganda and DR Congo have ceased. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, an allegation Kigali denies.

M23 rebels have continued to advance towards Goma City at the same time cutting it from supplies from Uganda. This has negative impact on Uganda’s export as Uganda tries to recover from economic challenges caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.

Regional leaders on Tuesday November 22, 2022 met in Luanda, Angola, to find solutions to the fighting in eastern DR Congo as M23 rebels continue to advance.

In this file photo taken on November 15, 2022 An escort of Kenyan and Congolese military personnel stands guard at the airport in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta lands. PHOTO/AFP

Source:https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/un-security-council-tell-m23-rebels-to-withdraw-disarm-4031416

CONCLUDING REMARKS

1.   HRCU congratulates the Uganda Human Rights Commission upon launching an App that will ease lodging of complaints and human rights abuses and violations, enable citizens to easily access information about human rights and the Commission. In the end, this is milestone that will play a key role in the protection, promotion and realization of human rights, fundamental freedoms and civic education. HRDs and the general public are urged to utilize this App and also sensitize the rest of the public on usage.

2.   As the world marks this year’s “16 days of Activism” campaign, concerns by the Speaker of Parliament Hon. Anita Among on the need for effective implementation of laws against gender based violence should be embraced. The laws need to be effectively and well implemented without any form of favor or discrimination in order to support victims of gender based violence acquire justice, Psychosocial and also tap into an end to gender based violence.

3.   Human rights defenders must continue speaking about or sensitizing masses, every time and everywhere about the need to promote, protect and realize human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is unfortunate that some people can violate or abuse others’ rights without fear or favor. The unfortunate incident that happened at Kawanda Secondary School gate should serve as a reminder that no matter how angry one may get, there are forums and mechanisms that they can go through to get remedies or settle scores rather than involving in actions that get to the point of ending life. Let’s reconsider reading and appreciating Chapter Four of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and put it into practice or make it a reality.

TOGETHER WE DEFEND

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