HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO. 19 OF 2023
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 22ND
TO 28TH MAY, 2023
Dear reader,
Welcome to this new week!
While we share with you these updates, it’s
important to note that promoting the rights and welfare of human rights
defenders (HRDs) requires concerted efforts from governments, civil society
organizations, international bodies, and communities. By doing so, we can
contribute to the safety, well-being, and effectiveness of HRDs, fostering an
environment where HRDs can work without fear and advance human rights,
democracy, and justice.
NATURAL
DISASTER AND THE RIGHT TO LIFE: SEVEN FAMILY MEMBERS BURIED ALIVE BY BULAMBULI
LANDSLIDES
Seven members of the same family have reportedly
died in landslides that ravaged several villages in Bulambuli district, eastern
Uganda.
Areas affected included the villages of Masugu,
Namakere, Kagulu, and Namagugu in Buluganya parish, Buluganya sub-county.
Bulambuli resident district commissioner (RDC),
Stanley Bayola, said one body was recovered by the residents. He said that they
are waiting for a grader to retrieve the other bodies.
Bayola said that the displaced people have been
advised to seek shelter at Masungu primary school. Emmanuel Sebunyo, a resident
said that the landslides were triggered by heavy rains that pounded the area
from about 11:00 am on Thursday last week. The landslides began at about 3:00
pm from Mount Elgon National Park, burying several animals and crops.
Source: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/77932-seven-family-members-buried-alive-by-bulambuli-landslides
GUN
VIOLENCE: KASSANDA POLICE OFFICER KILLS SELF AFTER SHOOTING AT HIS BOSS
A 47-year-old police constable Alex Kitiyo has
shot himself dead in Kassanda after attempting to kill his boss. The incident
occurred on Wednesday at Makokoto police post when Kitiyo first shot into the
house of the officer in charge, John Kakooza.
Racheal Kawala, the Wamala Regional police spokesperson, said preliminary
investigations indicate that Kitiyo committed suicide perhaps thinking he had
killed his superior Kakooza.
“At approximately 5:00 am, PC Kitiyo
allegedly woke up and fired several shots into the room of his superior
officer, inspector of police John Kakooza, without uttering any words.
Following the incident, PC Kitiyo returned to his own room, sat on his bed, and
subsequently took his own life,” Kawala said.
The incident comes about three weeks after a Uganda
People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier, Pte Wilson Sabiiti, shot and killed the
state minister for Labour, Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola.
BESIGYE
APPEARS AT UHRC TRIBUNAL OVER VIOLATION OF HIS RIGHTS
Former Presidential candidate retired Colonel
l Dr. Warren Kiiza Besigye Kifeefe appeared before the Uganda Human
Rights Commission to state his alleged human rights
violation case .
Besigye informed the Human
Rights tribunal headed by Mariam Wangadya, the Uganda Human Rights
Chairperson. that shortly after the 2016 General elections where he
contested as an FDC presidential candidate, him and other 3 senior party
officials including the then party president Mugisha Muntu , Ingrid Turinawe
and Wasswa Birigwa were arrested by police under the command of
late AIP Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
Besigye told the commission that the continuous
arrest and charging him with Rape, Treason and Inciting violence,
is political persecution because of his decision to oppose president
Museveni, because he[Besigye] has never been required by court to defend
himself against any of them.
Besigye now seeks compensation from government for
the continued alleged violation of his rights, torture, loss of income, lost
opportunities and sealing off FDC party offices.
25TH
ANNUAL UHRC REPORT: HUNGER KILLED 2,000 PEOPLE IN KARAMOJA LAST YEAR
According to the Uganda Human Rights Commission
(UHRC) report, the hunger in the region was as a result of long dry spells that
led to acute famine, killing at least 2,207 people.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: PRINCIPAL
JUDGE DIRECTS SSEKAANA TO HEAR MABIRIZI’S PENDING 32 FILES
The
Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija has asked the head of the Civil Division of
the High Court Justice Musa Ssekaana to ensure that all 32 files of different
cases filed by lawyer Male Mabirizi are reallocated and heard.
Zeija
in a letter dated May 10th, 2023, noted that he received from the Deputy
Registrar High Court Civil Division case files filed by Mabirizi at the High
Court for reallocation to a Judge outside the Civil Division for hearing.
According
to Zeija, after perusal of all the case files, he established that it is only
two cases where current judges at the Division recused themselves.
Mabirizi
noted that he has information that Ssekaana has allegedly acquired illicit
accumulation of wealth within and outside Uganda since he became a Judge four
years ago allegedly through illicit, corrupt, and fraudulent Administration of
justice where he says parties before him have options either to pay in cash or
kind.
Ssekaana
and Mabirizi’s woes started way back in 2019 during the hearing of an
application challenging the decision by Justice Simon Byabakama to continue
working as the Electoral Commission chairperson without relinquishing his
powers as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
In
the proceedings, Ssekaana told Mabirizi to submit his rubbish when he accused
him of bias. Mabirizi vowed never to appear before Justice Ssekaana
voluntarily.
Source:
https://www.independent.co.ug/principal-judge-directs-ssekaana-to-hear-mabirizis-pending-32-files/
THE RIGHT TO
EDUCATION: NCHE
UNDER FIRE, TO ABANDON ‘EXPIRED’ TAG
The
National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) said it will not use the term
‘expired” to describe programs that are due or overdue for re-assessment at
Universities and higher Institutions of learning.
According
to Professor Mary Okwakol, the Executive Director of NCHE, the term expired has
been misinterpreted and not used in accordance with the defined regulations of
quality assurance for higher education universities and other tertiary
institutions issued in 2008.
Okwakol
explained that the term was used to indicate programmes that have reached the
end of their accreditation period and therefore due for re-assessment.
Professor
Okwakol further explained that fact a course or program is due for
re-accreditation does not imply that it is invalid.
Speaking
to URN in an earlier interview, Prof. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo, the Vice Chancellor
at Kampala International University-KIU questioned the justification of
labeling a program as expired.
Source:
https://www.independent.co.ug/nche-under-fire-to-abandon-expired-tag/
PROMOTION OF THE RIGHT
TO LIFE: JANET MUSEVENI: 120 TRADITIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO GET FACE LIFT
The
Ministry of Education and Sports has announced plans to refurbish 120
traditional Secondary schools.
First
Lady Janet Kataha Museveni, the Minister of Education, announced this
initiative on Thursday during the presentation of the Ministry’s progress in
implementing the NRM manifesto at an event held at state house Nakasero.
Janet
Museveni said that the schools will be refurbished using a grant from the
Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and with a concessionary credit facility
from the World Bank.
The
minister stated that this project is planned to span five years, with the
possibility of increasing the number of schools as more funds become available.
The
NRM 2020 manifesto included a promise to enhance traditional schools, which has
long been anticipated by numerous traditional schools suffering from
dilapidation and low academic performance.
Some
of the prominent schools that are currently in a poor state include Nabumali
High School in Mbale, Busoga College Mwiri, St. Peter’s College in Tororo,
Nyapea College in Zombo District, Sir Samuel Baker in Northern Uganda, Nganwa
High School in Sheema, and Ruyonza High School in Bushenyi.
Source:
https://www.independent.co.ug/janet-museveni-120-traditional-secondary-schools-to-get-face-lift/
UGANDA SENDS LAND
FORCES CHIEF TO SOMALIA AFTER DEADLY ATTACK ON TROOPS
The
Uganda military has sent a team led by the Chief of Land Forces, Lt Gen Kayanja
Muhanga, to Mogadishu, Somalia, to ascertain the circumstances under which the
country’s troops were attacked on a dawn raid on Friday.
The
May 26 attack happened at Buulo Mareer, a base in Lower Shabelle, killing at
least 50 soldiers, with more feared dead.
In
a statement on Saturday last week, the Ministry of Defence and Uganda People’s
Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson Brig-Gen Felix Kulayigye said the team will
“devise the way forward.” He did not give further details but added that the
attack “will not deter our commitment to Atmis mandate of ensuring African
peace and stability.”
The
Somali militant group Al Shabaab overran Buulo Mareer Forward Operating Base
(FOB) in coordinated attacks using car-laden explosives and gunfire and carried
out a massacre of Ugandan troops that sent shockwaves in Kampala.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
1.
The
government's role in renovating schools is multi-faceted, encompassing funding,
planning, policy-making, collaboration, oversight, and long-term maintenance.
By fulfilling these roles effectively, governments can contribute to creating
modern, safe, and inclusive educational environments for student and hence
promoting the right to education as provided for under the different national
regional and international human rights instruments.
2.
HRCU
joins the country to condemn attacks carried out by Al-Shabaab or any other
extremist group targeting the UPDF soldiers or any military personnel. These
attacks not only pose a threat to the lives and security of the brave men and
women serving in the UPDF but also undermine efforts towards peace, stability,
and the fight against terrorism in the region. Therefore, it is essential to
enhance security measures, intelligence sharing, and international cooperation
to prevent and counteract such attacks effectively.
3.
To
effectively address hunger, the government of Uganda can implement a range of
strategies, including investing in agricultural development, improving access
to credit and resources for farmers, promoting sustainable farming practices,
strengthening social safety nets, enhancing food storage and distribution
infrastructure, and providing nutrition education and support for vulnerable
populations. Collaboration with international organizations, civil society, and
the private sector can also contribute to the government's efforts to combat
hunger and achieve food security in Uganda.
4.
Governments,
civil society organizations, international bodies, and communities all have a
role to play in protecting HRDs. It involves creating a safe and enabling
environment for their work, investigating and prosecuting attacks against them,
providing adequate resources and support, and ensuring their voices are heard
and respected.
5.
By
prioritizing and responding effectively to natural disasters, government of
Uganda can save lives, alleviate suffering, and facilitate the recovery and
resilience of affected communities. It requires a comprehensive approach that
encompasses preparedness, response, recovery, and
long-term risk reduction strategies.
Thank you for reading.
Happy new week
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