HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO. 26 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 21^ST TO 27^TH AUGUST 2023

Dear Esteemed Reader,

Welcome to another round up of the weekly updates on human rights and key emerging issues within the human rights defenders working environment.  Advocacy and lobbying must continue to be emphasized to ensure that we can all have a society where everyone’s rights and freedoms are respected and upheld .

Some of the updates as compiled include the following:

PROMOTION OF THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION AND SRHR: UGANDA TO RECEIVE SHS450 BILLION FOR PROMOTING ADOLESCENT GIRLS’ EDUCATION

The European Union in partnership with Belgium and Germany, is set to give Uganda 112 million Euros which is approximately Shs450.6 billion to promote education for adolescent girls in 200 schools across the country.

The European Union Ambassador to Uganda, Jan Sadek said the money will promote education for adolescent girls and support 200 schools in the country to reduce sexual and gender-based violence and promote sexual and reproductive health rights.

However, the State Minister for Primary Education Dr. Joyce Kaducu asked the Uganda students abroad to always transfer skills, knowledge, and experience back home after studies for the development of the country.

Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/uganda-to-receive-shs450-billion-for-promoting-adolescent-girls-education.html

PROMOTION OF ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EMPHASIZED IN KITGUM OPEN COURT DAY

Judicial officers in Uganda have been urged to increase their engagement with the community to bridge the gap between the legal system and citizens, and to simplify court processes. This call was made during the open court day held at the Kitgum Magistrate’s premises, focusing on the theme: “Demystifying Court Processes.”

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo, present at the event, highlighted the need to break down the perceived barriers between judicial officers and the public. Jimmy Ssegawa Ebil, the Resident District Commissioner of Kitgum district, pointed out that citizens often view judicial officers as distant figures, causing confusion in legal redress procedures.

This lack of understanding can lead to complaints being filed in the wrong offices. Ebil suggested that judicial officers leverage radio broadcasts to educate the public about court processes and alternative justice systems, enabling citizens to navigate legal dilemmas more effectively.

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo emphasized the importance of ongoing engagement between the justice sector and the community. He stressed the necessity of collaboration among all stakeholders, including judicial officers, police, prison officers, and legal education institutions, to create a more cohesive and approachable legal environment.

Dollo pledged his commitment to making justice more accessible, comparing it to fetching water from a well. He revealed plans to establish chief magistrate’s courts in every district and grade one magistrate’s courts in every constituency.

Additionally, Dollo announced that Kitgum district is set to receive a High Court, which will alleviate the case backlog and reduce expenses associated with seeking justice in the Gulu High Court Circuit.

Justice Philip Odoki, the Gulu High Court Resident Judge, acknowledged the challenges of managing a wide region with limited resources. Despite handling over 3,000 cases, Odoki noted that the Gulu High Court Circuit, which covers nine districts and one city, operates with only two high court judges, four chief magistrates, and thirteen grade one magistrates, leading to delays in case resolution.

Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/community-engagement-emphasized-in-kitgum-open-court-day/

THE RIGHT TO A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT: KATANGA RESIDENTS CALL FOR SPECIAL PROGRAMME TO ADDRESS SANITARY ISSUES

Local leaders in Katanga, a slum congested area have asked the government to put in place a special program that can be used to address sanitary issues in slum areas in Kampala.

The counselor for Mulago Zone One and Wandegeya Kamya Jaffar Gadafi says, that despite the efforts being put in place to improve the sanitary conditions of slum areas in the city, garbage has continued to affect the hygiene of these areas.

He said children are suffering from endless diarrhoea among other diseases, yet the parents are living in poverty.

He made the remarks as a group of Ugandan Students who studied in Korea under the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in partnership with KOICA workers in Uganda and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) were cleaning up the Katanga slum area and also distributing litter bins to reduce littering of waste.

The vice president of the KOICA Club of Uganda Ssemakula Axsam also asked the local leaders in the area to empower the community to embrace the reduction of waste through sorting at source, recycling of waste, and recovery.

Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/katanga-residents-call-for-special-programme-to-address-sanitary-issues.htmlCOMBATING ROAD ACCIDENTS AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE: SPEED LIMIT ENFORCEMENT STARTS ON ENTEBBE EXPRESSWAY

Last week, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), together with Uganda Police, commenced the enforcement of speed limits and other regulations along the Entebbe Expressway or the M3. It followed the increasing number of accidents on the road with most blamed on overspending and driving on the wrong lane, among others, with the latest being a truck that rammed into a toll booth Tuesday.

According to UNRA, motorists exceeding the speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour are flagged down at the exit points. This is done based on communication from the camera control center manned by police, which records the speeds of each vehicle. However, the speed limit of 100km/h has drawn reactions from motorists especially those using the M3, questioning the relevance of the “expressway” concept amidst speed limits.

Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/speed-limit-enforcement-starts-on-entebbe-expressway/

CONCLUDING REMARKS

1.   Promoting education among adolescent girls is not just a matter of equality; it's a fundamental human right and a crucial investment in the future. Therefore, promoting education among adolescent girls is not just about providing them with classroom knowledge; it's about empowering them to lead fulfilling lives, contribute to society, and participate in shaping a more equitable and just world. It's an investment with far-reaching benefits for individuals, communities, and the global community as a whole.

2.   Community engagements by judicial officers is a cornerstone of a just and accessible legal system. It bridges the gap between the judiciary and the public, making justice more understandable, trustworthy, and responsive to the needs of all citizens, regardless of their background or circumstances. It is an essential component of a thriving democracy and a fair society.

3.   Combating sanitary issues and hygiene in communities is not only a matter of public health but also an investment in the well-being, dignity, and prosperity of individuals and society as a whole. It is an essential component of sustainable development and a fundamental human right to healthy, life and a clean and healthy environment.

4.   In essence, road accidents have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the immediate victims. They directly impact the right to life, causing loss of life, injury, disability, emotional suffering, and economic hardship. Addressing road safety is not only a matter of safeguarding lives but also a fundamental human rights obligation to ensure that individuals have the opportunity to live their lives fully and without undue risk on the roadways.

Thank you for reading. Happy new week