HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO. 20 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 29TH
MAY TO 4TH JUNE, 2023
Dear reader,
Welcome to this new week!
In a world where human rights are both a universal
aspiration and an ongoing struggle, strides such as research, documentation and
analysis of key emerging human rights especially within the working environment
of HRDs remains key. This strategy of research, documentation and analysis of
the human rights issues, plays a vital role in the promotion of human rights
through identifying violations, raising awareness, informing policy and
advocacy, monitoring conditions, amplifying marginalized voices, and supporting
legal efforts. Systematic and rigorous approaches strengthen the evidence base,
empowers HRDs, and drive positive change towards the realization of human
rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
In the course of last week, some human right issues emerged with the
major highlight being the President’s assent to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill
there by making it law.
Some human rights activists petitioned court over
the Anti-Homosexuality Act, claiming that it was contravening human rights
promotion principles.
In the same week, on June 3,2023, Martyrs Day celebrations were held though on a sad note, police reported that two pilgrims were knocked dead along Kampala-Masaka Highway.
Within the donor context, DGF finally and formally
exited Uganda after nearly 12 years having been established in 2011 to properly
coordinate donor assistance and activities in Uganda.
Some
of the details as below:
PRESIDENT
OF UGANDA ASSENTS TO CONTROVERSIAL ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT, PARLIAMENT STANDS
FIRM"
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of
Uganda officially signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law, exercising his
constitutional mandate as prescribed by Article 91 (3) (a) of the Constitution.
The Act, which has sparked controversy both domestically and internationally,
has received applause from the Parliament of Uganda, who claim to have answered
the cries of their people and protected the sanctity of the family as outlined
in Article 31 of the Constitution.
The President's decisive action in assenting to the
controversial law has drawn gratitude from the Parliament, acknowledging his
steadfastness in serving Uganda's interests. The Parliament has also extended
their gratitude to the people of Uganda for their prayers and encouragement
throughout the legislative process, emphasizing their commitment to upholding
the interests of the nation as outlined in Articles 1 and 79 of the
Constitution.
Image: PP
ACTIVISTS
PETITION COURT TO NULLIFY NEWLY SIGNED ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY LAW
A group of 11 activists petitioned the Constitutional
court challenging the new anti-homosexuality law just hours after it was
signed by President Yoweri Museveni.
The petitioners included Prof Sylvia Tamale, Fox
Odoi Oywelowo (West Budama County MP), Dr Busingye Kabumba, a lecturer of Law
at Makerere University, Andrew Mwenda, the proprietor of the Independent News
Magazine, Solome Nakaweesi Kimbugwe, a Pan Africanist feminist and activist and
Dr Frank Mugisha, coordinator of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG).
Others are; Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, former
executive director of Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG), Richard Smith Luthimbo,
the executive director of Uganda Key Populations Consortium (UKPC), Eric
Ndawula, a human rights activist and Williams Apako, the executive director of
Tranz Network Uganda and Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HPRAF)
headed by lawyer Adrian Jjuuko.
They are also seeking a permanent injunction
restraining the attorney general who has been listed as the only respondent to
the case and any of the government agents from implementing provisions of the
act.
The attorney general is yet to be summoned to file
his defense before this petition can be heard by the panel of five
Constitutional court justices.
In 2014, the Constitutional court struck down the
previous anti-homosexuality law on procedural grounds after finding that the
parliament had passed it without the required quorum.
Prior to the nullification, some Western governments had suspended some aid,
imposed visa restrictions and curtailed security cooperation with the
Museveni-led government.
ANTI-GAY
PETITION HIT BY WITHDRAW GLITCHES
One of the first constitutional petitions filed to
challenge the gay law has suffered a setback after two of its key petitioners
claimed that they didn't give instructions to lawyers to have them joined
as co-petitioners.
They include MP Fox Odoi-Oywelowo (West Budama), who
had been listed as the second petitioner, and Dr. Frank Mugisha, the coordinator
of Sexual Minorities Uganda, who had been listed as petitioner number six.
"Our clients have informed us that they did not
give instructions file constitutional petition number 015 of 2023. Our clients
consider your actions premature and hereby, demand that you exclude them from
the said constitutional petition, a letter written by Akampumuza & Co
Advocates, the lawyers of MP Odoi and Mugisha, read in part.
"Our clients have not provided you with any
affidavits to support the said petition," the letter further read.
Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/anti-gay-petition-hit-by-withdraw-glitches-4254204
PROMOTION
OF JOURNALISM ETHICS: EU CAUTIONS JOURNALISTS ON INTEGRITY, NEUTRALITY
The European Union envoy to Uganda has called upon
media houses and journalists to observe the ethical principles such as
neutrality and integrity, when covering stories.
Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, the deputy EU ambassador,
made the remarks while speaking at the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of
World Press Freedom Day on May 31, 2023.
"It is of
utmost importance to ensure that your articles uphold integrity and neutrality
that form the bedrock of the moral c between you and your readers," Mr. Chartrain said.
The EU envoy also urged the government to end the
difficult conditions in which many journalists and media houses operate,
saying: "I cannot ignore the different reports produced on the state of
freedom of press and expression that continue enumerating a series of
challenges regarding the media environment in Uganda." The event was
marked under the theme "journalists' neutrality and political
engagement".
The keynote speaker, Mr. Andrew Mujuni Mwenda, a
veteran journalist, said achieving neutrality is a tough terrain to navigate.
Neutrality, he said, does not mean one does not have
a stand, but rather we must strive to maintain a set of values and norms.
"Journalists
in a polarised environment have to hold a set of morals and values that they
defend no matter what they do," he said.
GUN
VIOLENCE AND THE RIGHT TO LIFE: CITY LAWYER SHOT DEAD AT HIS HOME IN KITIKO-WAKISO
DISTRICT
Residents of Kitiko -Birongo were left in
shock after unknown assailants opened fire on a city lawyer, killing him
on the spot at his gate.
The deceased was identified as Mukisa Ronnie aged 45
a city lawyer working with IBC advocates located on Namanda plaza also resident
of Kitiko Birongo Ndejje division in Wakiso district.
Preliminary findings indicated that the deceased
would always return home late but this time round he came back home at exactly
11pm driving his Blue Subaru registration number UBJ 006K and later proceeded
to go close the gate.
Luke Owoyesigyire Kampala Metropolitan deputy police
spokesman confirmed the incident saying that assailants were putting on
camouflage and quickly fled the scene on a waiting motorcycle.
RELIEF
AS UNRA OPENS KATONGA BRIDGE TO TAXIS, LIGHT VEHICLES
Uganda National Roads Authority(UNRA) has opened
River Katonga bridge to taxis, light vehicles and pedestrians, creating a sigh
of relief to the road users.
In a statement on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, UNRA
said following repairs, the bridge has now been opened for use for light
traffic which includes motorbikes, saloon cars, SUVs, taxis, vans and 28
seaters also known as coasters.
According to UNRA, for the light vehicles which have
now been cleared to use the bridge, there shall be a one-lane access and
therefore travelers should expect some delays.
Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/2023/06/01/relief-as-unra-opens-katonga-bridge-to-taxis-light-vehicles/
FARE
THEE WELL: DGF EXITS UGANDA
The Democracy Governance Facility-DGF formally
exited Uganda after nearly 12 years. DGF, a multi-donor Fund was established in
2011 to properly coordinate donor assistance and activities in Uganda.
The Fund had seven members including Austria,
Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, and the EU, and together,
they have been raising over 100billion Shillings that has been used to fund
different civil society organizations and government institutions engaged in
human rights and good governance activities.
In February 2021, President Museveni suspended the
activities of DGF accusing its managers of operating such a mega fund without
proper government oversight. Efforts to have the Fund reopened hit a dead end
forcing the contributing partners to pull out of the arrangement.
Speaking at the wind-up function at the European
Union Ambassador’s residence in Kampala, the EU head of Mission, Jan Sadek said
that DGF had done a fantastic job in fostering democracy and accountability in
Uganda. Sadek said everywhere including in Uganda, democracy is under
attack and urged the government to embrace dialogue as means of solving
political misunderstandings.
Sadek also reiterated the EU’s opposition to the
Anti- Homosexuality Act that was assented to this week by President Yoweri
Museveni. The Ambassador said Uganda has the obligation to respect the rights
of all individuals living in it.
Speaking at the same function, Vincent Waiswa
Bagiire, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked DGF
for the work it has done to strengthen the work of civil society organizations
involved in good governance and democracy.
For her part, Nicole Bjerler the head of the
Facility Management Unit of the DGF said even when DGF was leaving, the
government needs to continue engaging the local NGOs and other development
partners if it wants to achieve the UN sustainable development goals and
Uganda’s vision 2040.
Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/dgf-exits-uganda/
INTERNATIONAL
UPDATE
BIDEN
CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE REPEAL OF UGANDA’S ANTI-GAY LAW
President Joe Biden condemned Uganda’s anti-gay law
on Monday May 29, calling for its immediate repeal and the possibility of
implementing sanctions.
“The enactment
of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act is a tragic violation of universal human
rights — one that is not worthy of the Ugandan people, and one that jeopardizes
the prospects of critical economic growth for the entire country,” Biden
said in a statement.
Biden said he had directed the National Security
Council to evaluate the implications of the law on all aspects of U.S.
engagement with Uganda, including the ability to safely deliver services under
the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and other forms of
assistance and investments.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/29/biden-repeal-uganda-anti-gay-law-00099169
CONCLUDING
REMARKS
1. The right to freedom from discrimination is a fundamental human right that is recognized and protected by various international and national laws. It refers to the entitlement of every individual to be treated with dignity, equality, and respect, without facing unfair or unjust treatment based on certain characteristics or attributes. The promoting and protecting of the right to freedom from discrimination requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach, such as legal frameworks, advocacy, and the active participation of individuals, communities, civil society organizations, and governments. By upholding this right, societies can strive towards inclusivity, equality, and social justice for all.
2.
Martyrs
Day constantly reminds Christians of the courageous young people who sacrificed
their lives for sake of their faith in God. It is a time to remember and
commemorate the unwavering commitment, steadfastness, and profound devotion of
those who have faced persecution and martyrdom. Martyrs Day serves as a
poignant reminder of the profound impact that individuals can have when they
choose to stand firm in their beliefs, even in the face of immense adversity.
The lives of these martyrs have become a testament to the resilience and
strength of the Christian faith throughout history.
3.
Integrity
and neutrality are vital principles that underpin the work of journalists and
contribute to the credibility and trustworthiness of the media. These
principles, are essential for journalists to fulfill their important role in
society. By upholding these principles, journalists can promote truth,
accountability, public trust, and the democratic values that underpin a free
and informed society.
Thank you for reading.
Until next week.
Comments
Post a Comment