HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.16 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 1ST
TO 7TH MAY, 2023
Dear reader,
Welcome to this new week!
During
last week, as most of you might be aware, the State Minister for Labour,
Employment and Industrial Relations, Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola was shot
dead by his body guard Private Wilson Sabiti. More highlights from last week
included Journalist across the country celebrating the World Press Freedom day
on May 4, 2023, Parliament passing the amended Anti-Homosexuality Bill, and
awarding of Ms. Agather Atuhaire the European Union in Uganda Human Rights
Defenders’ Award for 2023.
PRESS
FREEDOM: UGANDA SLIPS FURTHER IN PRESS FREEDOM RANKING
Uganda
dropped a place down to 133 from 132 in the just-released global press index by
Reporters without Borders.
The
2023 World Press Freedom Index – which evaluates the environment for journalism
in 180 countries and territories and is published on World Press Freedom Day
(May 3) said the situation is “very bad” in 31 countries, “bad” in 42,
“problematic” in 55, and “good” or “fairly good” in 52 countries.
“In
other words, the environment for journalism is “bad” in seven out of ten
countries, and satisfactory in only three out of ten,” the report said.
The
report said although the situation is now classified as “difficult” in nearly
40 percent of countries (versus 33 percent in 2022), some improvements were
seen in countries such as Niger (61st), where a cybercrime law used to imprison
journalists was amended in June 2022, and in Uganda (133rd), where the
Constitutional Court struck down a provision of the Computer Misuse Act that
criminalised the publication of “fake news”.
“Journalists
in Uganda face intimidation and violence on a nearly daily basis. They are
regularly targeted by the security services, the leading perpetrators of
attacks against journalists,” the report states.
Source:
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-slips-further-in-press-freedom-ranking-4222872
ANTI-HOMSEXULAITY BILL, 2023: PARLIAMENT
PASSES AMMENDED ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL
Parliament reconsidered
the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 and passed it with amendments to the 4 clauses
that President Yoweri Museveni objected to.
Despite
the changes, the new bill retains most of the measures adopted in March. Those
include the death penalty for certain same-sex acts and a 20-year sentence for
promoting homosexuality.
Persons
who knowingly allow their premises to be used for acts of homosexuality now
face 7 yrs in jail upon conviction while those who fail to report acts of
homosexuality while having knowledge about them face a fine of Ushs10 million
or 5 years in jail.
Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/parliament-passes-ammended-anti-homosexuality-bill/
RECOGNISING
THE WORK OF HRDS: JOURNALIST NAMED WINNER OF EU HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
Ms.
Agather Atuhaire, a freelance journalist, was announced the winner of the EU
Human Rights Defenders Award 2023.
The
award is given to a human rights defender who has made an outstanding
contribution to the advancement of human rights in their community over a year.
Ms.
Atuhaire, who is a lawyer by profession, was recognised for highlighting many
issues related to public accountability, particularly her expose of the
controversial procurement of luxury cars for Speaker of Parliament Anita Among
and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa last year, among others.
Speaking
at the awards ceremony in Kampala last week, Ms. Karin Boven, the Netherlands
Ambassador to Uganda, said Ms. Atuhaire “is a good example of the role an
independent journalist can play in the fight against impunity and corruption’’.
“The
exposure of this [Parliament luxury cars] issue led to attacks and threats
against her life. In the past year she has also used social media platforms to
expose mismanagement at the Law Development Centre and to hold to account the
National Water and Sewerage Corporation for problems with its billing system,”
Ambassador Boven added. Ms. Atuhaire said she was humbled by the award.
WORLD
PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2023: POLICE BRUTALITY, POOR PAY TOP PRESS FREEDOM DAY
TALKS
As
Uganda joined the rest of the world to mark press freedom day last week,
several speakers highlighted poor pay and police brutality as some of the
biggest challenges.
Sheikh
Imran Ssali, the head of religious affairs at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council,
said there is a need for punitive measures against perpetrators, including
police officers who brutalise or block the media from doing its work.
“I
appeal to the government to help see that journalists have the freedom they
need to do their work, because we have seen acts against journalists that deter
them from being efficient in their work. We have seen harassment against
journalists from different security agencies, which is something we condemn
because it hinders press freedom,” Ssali said.
According
to Mr. Ssali the government needs to work well with journalists, “by
training security personnel on how to handle journalists during coverage of
protests which will enable the two institutions work together coherently,
because we have seen harassment against journalists from different security
agencies, which is something we condemn because it hinders press freedom.”
Journalists
also decried poor pay and others said they have gone for months without pay.
Mr. Badru Baxter Nsubuga, a journalist from See TV said he had not been paid for the last 10 months.
CIVIC EDCUATION: UHRC
LAUDS JOURNALISTS FOR EDUCATING, INFORMING COMMUNITIES
The
Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) commended journalists for the work they
have done over the years in educating and informing communities.
Journalists
in Uganda are today joining their colleagues across the globe to commemorate
World Press Freedom Day.
The
United National General Assembly declared May 3rd as World
Press Freedom Day to raise awareness about the importance of freedom of the
press and reminded governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to
freedom of expression.
Journalists
are celebrating the day under the theme “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of
expression as a driver for all other human rights”.
In
his message to mark the day, Commissioner Crispin Kaheru urged state actors to
prioritize the protection and justice of journalists so that they are able to
act independently.
“We
have seen many journalists lately putting themselves at risk shining a light on
sensitive but important service delivery, accountability, and human rights
issues in their communities. We urge duty-bearers to view journalists as
partners in the fight against crime and barriers to development,’ Kaheru said.
Source:
https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/uhrc-lauds-journalists-for-educating-informing-communities.html
CONCLUDUING REMARKS
1.
Journalists
in Uganda, like in many other countries, often face risks and threats while
carrying out their work. These risks may include physical assault, harassment,
and arrest by state security forces, political groups, or other actors who feel
threatened by the journalists' reporting.In Uganda, the police have a
responsibility to ensure the safety of all citizens, including journalists.
This means that they must take measures to protect journalists when they are at
risk, and to investigate any attacks or threats against them. By protecting journalists,
the police can help ensure that the public has access to reliable information,
and that those in power are held accountable for their actions.
2.
World
Press Freedom Day is an important annual event celebrated on May 3rd to raise
awareness about the importance of press freedom and to remind governments of
their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression. Therefore,
World Press Freedom Day is an important reminder of the critical role that a
free and independent press plays in fostering democracy, promoting transparency
and accountability, and protecting human rights. It is a day to celebrate the
achievements of journalists around the world and to renew our commitment to
upholding press freedom as a fundamental human right.
3.
The
media plays a crucial role in civic education by providing citizens with the
information they need to participate effectively in democratic processes, by
facilitating public debate and discussion, and by promoting understanding and
tolerance in a diverse society.
4.
Labor
Day is an important holiday that is celebrated in many countries around the
world. The day is typically observed on the first Monday in September in the
United States and Canada and on May 1 in many other countries. Labor Day is an
important holiday that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of workers
to society, highlights ongoing challenges facing workers around the world, and
provides an opportunity for community celebration and reflection.
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