HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.18 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 15^TH TO 21^ST MAY, 2023

Dear reader, good morning!  Welcome to this new week!

HRCU continues to appreciate all that you do to see that human rights and fundamental freedoms for all are attained. It is in that spirit that the organization compiles and shares some of the key developments within the environment or field human rights promotion and protection s o that you are informed and equipped to strengthen advocacy efforts towards having a better and safer society.

During last week, our Executive  Director, Ms. Margaret Sekaggya joined some dignitaries,  fellow CSO leaders and HRDs in Uganda at the launch of the 25^th Annual report by the Uganda Human Rights Commission on the state of human rights and freedoms in Uganda in the year 2022. In her remarks, HRCU’s ED retaliated that human rights are indivisible and inherent and hence the need to always protect them. she appealed to all the stakeholders to ensure that human rights are promoted and protected at all times. To watch the video of HRCU’s ED while making remarks , click here: https://twitter.com/SarahBireete/status/1659566090257563648

HRCU’s ED together with some dignitaries, other CSO leaders, HRDs and members of the UHRC during the launch of the report which took place on May 19, 2023 in Kampala

 

To download and read the 25^th annual report, please click here: https://uhrc.ug/download/25th-uhrc-annual-report/?wpdmdl=1946&refresh=64677c5ec4d6b1684503646

UHRC 25^TH ANNUAL REPORT: POLICE TOP HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION IN UGANDA

The 2022 Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) annual report on the state of human rights and freedoms in Uganda revealed that the highest number of complaints on human rights violations registered by the commission were against the Uganda Police Force.

While launching the report in Kampala Last week Friday, Ms. Mariam Wangadya, the UHRC chairperson said more than half of the registered complaints were against police, followed by the complaints against private individuals while Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) ranked third in violating human rights and freedoms.

“We registered 691 complaints, 52 per cent of the complaints (411 complaints) were lodged against police, 147 were against private individuals while 96 were registered against UPDF,” Ms. Wangadya said.

The UHRC Tribunal disposed of 50 complaints, out of these, the tribunal awarded compensation in 44 and dismissed 6 complaints.  The majority of the disposed complaints involved violating the rights to freedom from torture and a total of Shs510m was awarded to complainants in UHRC Tribunal compensation orders, the 2022 UHRC report noted.

Officiating at the launch of the report, the minister for Justice and constitutional affairs, Mr. Nobert Mao said the continued violation of human right by security agencies is majorly out of misinterpretation of the laws.

Police officers arrest some of the several pre-medical interns who had organised a peaceful march to the president's office on May 15, 2023, protesting their delayed deployment. PHOTO/ABUBAKER LUBOWA

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/police-top-human-rights-violation-in-uganda-uhrc-report-4241192

TEMPORARY KATONGA BRIDGE WILL BE READY IN FIVE DAYS –GOVT  

Works and Transport Minister Gen Edward Katumba Wamala revealed that a temporary bridge is going to be erected over River Katonga on Kampala–Masaka Highway in five days to allow light vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians to cross.

China Communication Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) has been contracted to do the work.

The Kampala-Masaka Highway was closed on May 11 following the flash floods that swept away part of the River Katonga Bridge, forcing motorists to use the diversion route through Mpigi-Butambala-Gomba-Sembabule –Bukomansimbi –Villa Maria-Nyendo-Masaka.

Eng. Joseph Otim, the director Roads maintenance at Uganda National Roads Authority(UNRA) explained that the planned temporary bridge at River Katonga is going to be steel made and will last for a month.

Works minister Gen KatumbaWamala chats with UNRA's road maintenance director Eng. Joseph Otim (right) during inspection of the damaged River Katonga Bridge on May 19, 2023. PHOTO/BRIAN ADAMS KESIIME 

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/temporary-katonga-bridge-will-be-ready-in-five-days-govt--4241238  

POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING UCU STUDENT

A female student of Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono is fighting for her life at Kawolo Hospital after she was reportedly mistakenly shot in the chest by a police officer.

According to the police deputy spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Luke Oweyeisigire, 21-year-old Natasha Nagayi was shot by ASP Dismus Tebangole after he mistook her for an intruder in the wee hours of the morning.
He says the suspect has been arrested and investigating officers have recovered a pistol with 7 rounds of ammunition from the scene in Nabuti Village, Mukono Central Division.

This is the latest in a series of shootings involving policers and private security guards recorded in different parts of the country over the past 2 weeks.

Last week, a police officer identified as Charles Opio attached to the Field Force Unit Mbarara, reportedly shot and killed CPL Yeremiah Paper, a UPDF Officer attached to Ruhengyere Engineering Brigade.

And in Lira city, 27-year-old David Ogole, a security guard attached to Pyramid Security Group, turned his gun on himself on Thursday allegedly following a misunderstanding with his wife.

Source:https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/police-officer-arrested-for-shooting-ucu-student.html

OPPOSITION PROTESTS M7 LUXURIOUS LIFESTYLE AS PARLIAMENT PASSES SHS.53TRILLION BUDGET

Parliament last week passed a Shs.52.7 Trillion national budget for FY 2023/2024 amidst protestations from the opposition on accusations that the budget is out of touch with reality. 

The budget which takes effect on July 1, 2023, is scheduled to be read by the Finance minister on June 15. Out of Shs.52.7 trillion, at least Shs.21.4 trillion is set aside for statutory expenditure, covering items such as treasury operations totaling Shs.18.9 trillion, pensions and gratuity for retired civil servants amounting to Shs 856.2 billion, among others.

Shadow Finance minister, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi faulted the Finance ministry for failing to itemize and provide for activities under statutory expenditure, a move he claimed is intended to be used as a window of fraud. Kivumbi said the budget is overly ambitious and unachievable.

Most of the opposition's protestation came against the allocation of Shs.417.9 billion to State House which the Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim SsemujjuNganda deemed as unlawful and luxurious.

Speaker Anita Among

Source:https://observer.ug/news/headlines/77844-opposition-protests-museveni-luxurious-lifestyle-as-parliament-passes-shs-53tn-budget

A CALL FOR ACTION BY THE CITIZENRY: MAO URGES UGANDANS TO DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY

Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao has blamed the public for failure to ask for accountability from government officials.

While delivering the achievements of his ministry as per 2022-2026 NRM manifesto at Prime Minister’s Office in Kampala, Mao wondered why the electorates cannot pressurize government to deliver what is expected.He advised citizens to always ask for accountability if they’re to get proper and timely service delivery, further urging them to stop supporting corruption tendencies among government officials.

Meanwhile, Mao said his ministry is progressing well, noting that they have recruited more judicial officers to close the case backlog gap to enable poor Ugandans get justice in time, secured a new home of the Electoral Commission, among others, saying by 2026, the ministry will be at 100%

Despite the progress reached, Mao revealed that the ministry still grapples with challenges which include; lack of funds for compensation, limited offices for the Uganda Human Rights Commission, and lack of funds for investigation of cases among others.

Source:https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/mao-urges-ugandans-to-demand-accountability.html

CONCLDUING REMARKS

1.   The role of the police in protecting human rights is crucial for maintaining a just and equitable society. It is important to acknowledge that human rights challenges may and have continued to exist Uganda, and the police's actual performance in protecting human rights can vary. Monitoring, oversight, and continuous efforts to improve police training, professionalism, and accountability are crucial in ensuring the effective protection of human rights by the Uganda police.

2.   Annual reports produced by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) play a crucial role in promoting and protecting human rights in Uganda. The 25^th annual report launched by the UHRC, will go a long way in identifying human rights challenges, proposing solutions, promoting accountability, and fostering dialogue on the human rights situation in Uganda. The report will also be key in policy making such as by CSOs and other key stakeholders working towards the advancement of human rights in the country.

3.   With the increasing rate of gun violence which has subsequently led to the violation of the right to life, it is important to note that the use of firearms should always be a last resort, and officers should receive thorough training and follow strict guidelines to ensure responsible and judicious use of their firearms. Proper training, adherence to policies, and ongoing evaluation are essential to maintaining public trust and minimizing the risks associated with firearm use by law enforcement officers.

Thank you for reading, see you again, next week!