HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.22 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 3RD
TO 9TH JULY, 2023
A very welcome to the 28th week of the
year,
Welcome to this new week!
HRCU continues to celebrate the resilience, courage,
and achievements of human rights defenders who work tirelessly to bring about
positive change. By highlighting some of the key incidents within the working environment
of HRDs, we hope to inspire others to join in the collective pursuit of justice
and dignity for all.
Through this blog, you are requested to engage, share your thoughts, and contribute to the ongoing discussions about
human rights defenders and how best to improve on their working environment.
Together, we can create a more inclusive, just, and compassionate world where
human rights are upheld, respected, and protected for every individual,
regardless of their background or circumstances.
Some of the developments that emerged from last week
include;
TACKLING
CORRUPTION: ACTIONAID CALLS FOR MINDSET CHANGE TOWARDS CORRUPTION
The Country Director for ActionAid International
Uganda Xavier enjoy stressed that there’s the need for mindset change
among Ugandans towards corruption if they are to police against the vice.
Speaking ahead of the National Citizens Integrity
Awards slated for 11 th July 2023, Enjoy explained
that the public should change its mind and start criticizing
and reporting the corrupt instead of praising them.
He also advised the government to continue availing
sensitization campaigns that equip Ugandans with information
about government properties and the knowledge of fighting corruption in
the country at all levels.
The awards will be hosted
by Organizations involved in the fight against Corruption. These
are; Inspectorate of Government, Directorate of Ethics and Integrity,
Action Aid International Uganda, Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda, Transparency
International Uganda, Uganda Debt Network, among others.
Source: https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2023-07-05-actionaid-calls-for-mindset-change-towards-corruption/
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN’S
RIGHTS: STOP
PARADING CHILDREN IN MEDIA AFTER DNA TESTS
Police has warned parents who carry out DNA tests
for their children against publishing their faces in the media because it
violates the rights of children.
For the last two months there have been media
reports of parents, especially fathers conducting DNA tests on their children
to determine whether they are their biological children but on many occasions
the results have come out negative.
Fred Enanga the police spokesperson warned that
taking pictures and recording of children’s videos violates and demoralizes children
when they are posted in media which he said should be condemned and stopped
immediately. He warned the public against the mushrooming of DNA testing
centers around the country.
Enanga urged parents who are carrying out DNA tests
to always look out for laboratories licensed and certified by the Ministry of
Health to avoid cases of fake or forged results.
He also pointed out that many facilities conducting
these DNA tests lack genetic counselors to provide guidance and support to the
affected parties after receiving the results.
Source: https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2023-07-04-stop-parading-children-in-media-after-dna-tests/
THE
PROTECTION CITIZENS: SECURITY FORCES INTENSIFY PATROLS FOLLOWING UK TERROR
ALERT
Following a terror alert issued by the United
Kingdom government last week, a joint team of Uganda People’s Defense Forces
and Uganda Police Force personnel have continued to conduct patrols in
different parts of the country.
Defense spokesperson, Brig. Gen Felix Kulayigye has
since given assurance that despite a UK travel advisory indicating that
terrorists are likely to carry out indiscriminate attacks on Uganda, all is
well and that the country is safe.
Internal Affairs Minister, Gen Kahinda Otafiire also
said that security had received information about the said terror
threats long before the UK alert, giving assurance that security agencies have
been working to secure the country.
Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/security-forces-intensify-patrols-following-uk-terror-alert.html
PROMOTION
AND PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF REFUGEES:
FRENCH EMBASSY IN
UGANDA DONATES €500,000 TO SUPPORT REFUGEES
Xavier Sticker, the ambassador of France to Uganda, announced a €500,000 donation to the Nakivale and Kyangwali refugee
settlements in southwestern Uganda.
The announcement was made recently at his residence
in Nakasero, Kampala. To implement the project, Sticker said the money will be
channeled through Action Against Hunger and its Uganda Nutrition and Resilience
project.
Between 2019 and 2021, the Embassy of France in
Uganda donated approximately €900,000 to support efforts by Action Against
Hunger to improve food security and resilience in the refugee camps of
Kyangwali (2019–2021) and Nakivale (2021).
Sticker added that although the financial muscle of
both the World Food Programme and the United Nations High Commission for
Refugees is reducing, the need for humanitarian support to refugee-hosting
countries like Uganda remained high on the agenda of the French government.
According to Sticker, the 12-month project will
enable 2000 households in Kyangwali and Nakivale refugee settlements to achieve
sustainable improvement in their nutrition and food security status.
The programme is tailored to protect the most
vulnerable individuals, like pregnant/lactating women, and children aged below
two years.
Since 2017, the French embassy has contributed
€3,040,000 to food security, health and economic empowerment towards
humanitarian projects for refugees and host communities in Uganda. Uganda
currently hosts over one-and- half-million refugees in the different
settlements spread out across the country.
THE RIGHT
TO VOTE: EXPERTS CONDEMN OYAM BY-ELECTION CHAOS
Election experts and human rights defenders have
condemned the election malpractice and voter intimidation that marred the Oyam
North constituency by-election in Oyam district.
In one incident, armed unidentified people stormed
Wang Lobo polling station in Otwal sub-county and put the presiding officer at
gunpoint before forcefully taking and ticking 5 booklets containing 250
ballots.
While in another, at least 2 people were arrested
for alleged voter bribery.
Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana, the Executive Director of
Foundation for Human Rights Initiative says election violence in the country is
largely accelerated by lack of independence and objectivity from those
entrusted with the electoral process.
While for Crispin Kaheru, another election expert
and member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the Electoral Commission (EC)
must always make its position clear on such matters.
“For those elections that display glaring
malpractices, the electoral management body must come out boldly, cancel the
results and organize a fresh exercise”, he said.
The Oyam North seat fell vacant following the demise
of former labour state minister Col Charles Engola who was shot dead by his
bodyguard at his home in Kampala. The others in the race were Daniel Okello of
the National Unity Platform and Newton Freddy Okello of the Forum for
Democratic Change
Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/experts-condemn-oyam-by-election-chaos.html
INSIDE
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM: STATE ASKS COURT TO DISMISS PETITIONS AGAINST
ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY LAW
The Attorney General has asked the Constitutional
court to dismiss three petitions challenging the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023
on grounds that they were filed in bad faith.
According to AG Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the petitions are
not only brought in bad faith but were filed with intentions to destroy and
overthrow the constitutional social order by seeking court orders for the
protection of an unconstitutional and illegal act of homosexuality.
Kiryowa says the three petitions were all misconceived and devoid of any merit
and during the hearing, he will put the petitioners on strict proof regarding
their allegation.
Evidence before court shows that on February 28, 2023, parliament granted
Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa leave to introduce a private members
bill titled the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 which was gazetted on March 3,
2023 in the Gazette supplementary number three of 2023. It was later assented
to by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in May 2023 thereby coming into force as
a law.
The law which is largely targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and
queer people also criminalizes the behavior including having gay sex when
HIV-positive, and stipulates a 20-year sentence for “promoting” homosexuality
and the death penalty for those found guilty of aggravated homosexuality.
After the president assented to the bill, the
Anti-Homosexuality Act was challenged before the courts of laws by
activists, Makerere University senior lecturers, and
transgender people in three different petitions by a combined total of 18
petitioners.
The Constitutional court is yet to fix the matter
for hearing. In 2014 the Constitutional court struck down the
Anti-Homosexuality Act on procedural grounds after finding that the parliament
had passed it without the required quorum.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
1.
The
need to fight corruption collectively is of paramount importance for the well-being
and progress of any Uganda and its citizens. Corruption, defined as the abuse
of entrusted power for personal gain, undermines democratic institutions,
weakens the rule of law, hinders economic development, erodes public trust and
impedes the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
2.
The
protection of children's rights online is a critical issue in today's digital
age. Children are increasingly accessing the internet and engaging in online
activities, which exposes them to various risks and challenges. Therefore, we
can promote a safe and empowering online environment for children, allowing
them to exercise their rights to access information, express themselves, and
participate in digital spaces while being protected from harm.
3.
Intensifying
security measures to combat terror attacks is essential for protecting lives, maintaining
stability, deterring potential attackers, disrupting terror networks,
safeguarding critical infrastructure, promoting international cooperation, and
upholding human rights and democratic values. It requires a comprehensive and
multi-faceted approach that encompasses intelligence gathering, law enforcement
efforts, community engagement, and international collaboration to effectively
counter the threats posed by terrorism.
4.
Uganda
has a long-standing tradition of hosting refugees and has been recognized
globally for its progressive refugee policies. Therefore, protecting refugees
in Uganda is vital for upholding human rights, ensuring regional stability,
fostering economic and social development, enhancing international reputation,
promoting long-term solutions, and fulfilling ethical responsibilities. Grants
from foreign agencies like the French Embassy are also key in ensuring that
Uganda effectively implements policies aimed at promoting and protecting rights
of refugees.
5.
Chaos
in elections can have significant effects on various aspects of the electoral
process and as such, chaos in elections erodes public trust in the electoral
process and can undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions. When
elections are marred by irregularities, fraud, violence, or significant
logistical problems, it raises doubts about the fairness and integrity of the
electoral outcome. This can lead to a loss of confidence in the electoral
system and weaken the overall democratic governance.
Thank you for reading!
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