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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Comments
Post a Comment