HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO.25 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 14^TH TO 20^TH AUGUST, 2023

Dear Reader,

Welcome to yet another edition of HRCU’s weekly update on human rights and key emerging issues within the working environment of human rights defenders in Uganda. HRCU is delighted to continue sharing this information with you to enable further advocacy celebration of the key principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms by and for all persons.

You are highly appreciated for your commitment to receiving, reading and acting upon the shared information to make the environment much better for the promotion, protection and realization of human rights in your community.

Some of the updates as compiled include the following:

FOREIGN POLICY AND HUMAN RIGHTS: WORLD BANK LOANS WON’T SHUT DOWN UGANDA, TAYEBWA

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa urged Members of Parliament to keep calm over the World Bank's decision to suspend loan funding to Uganda.

“I don’t know why you’re (MPs) panicking as if the country is going to shut down. We made that decision here and when we were making it, we knew it would have repercussions. We are prepared and strong about a decision we made as a House,” the deputy speaker said.

He said that Parliament knew that threats over Uganda’s position on homosexuality would come but said they will be dealt with accordingly.

“We knew threats would come but let us be calm. I saw a communication from the President; he said they are engaging with the World Bank and therefore, there’s no need for panic,” he said asking the Executive to manage foreign relations including discussing with the World Bank.

He asked the Ministry of Finance to give an update to Parliament on if they intend to do anything in line with reviewing the national budget.

“Please, executive, do your work, manage your foreign relations, discuss with the World Bank and should you need us, we shall come in and play our role,” he added.

Tayebwa who chaired the House on Tuesday last week afternoon said the country will not shut down because of the recent World Bank position—adding that Uganda is very prepared and strong about a decision made by its Parliament.

Source: https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2023-08-15-world-bank-loans-wont-shut-down-uganda-tayebwa/

ENVIROMENTAL RIGHTS AND CLIMATE JUSTICE: MPS CONSIDERING LAW ON MANDATORY TREE PLANTING

Members of Parliament urged the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to consider enacting a policy requiring all large-scale farmers to plant trees on a specified percentage of land.

The legislators said the policy would stimulate efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change through tree planting

Ruhama East County Member of Parliament Benjamin Kamukama said the move would complement the national forests which he said were being degraded.

Kapelebyong County MP, Anthony Esenu noted that the already manifesting effects of a degraded forest cover call for a robust campaign on agroforestry, that should not be left only to the line ministry and its agencies.

Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/mps-considering-law-on-mandatory-tree-planting.html

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2023: YOUTH DAY CELEBRATED IN KABALE DISTRICT

Uganda last week on August 18, 2023 celebrated the International Youth Day at Kigezi lower primary school in Kabale district. 

The day is celebrated every 12^th of August but according to Government chief whip Hamson Obua who presented a statement to Parliament on behalf of the State Minister for Youth, Sarah Mateke, the celebrations were postponed due to financial constraints. 

This year’s International Youth Day celebrations focused on the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects.

The celebrations were held under the theme, "Accelerating Recovery from COVID-19 and Full Implementation of the 2030 Agenda".

Obua said that the day is designated for the purpose of celebrating the youth potential and taking stock of what has been accomplished in the area of youth empowerment, growth and development.

According to the statement, the government spent the bigger part of 2022- 2023 developing and designing programs aimed at empowering youth and building their resilience amidst various economic shocks, trials and tribulations.

The statement also highlighted progresses made towards enhancing youth development such as initiating the development of National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and security and complete development of the out of school youth sexuality education. 

Source: https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2023-08-18-youth-day-celebrated-in-kabale-district/

ACCESS TO JUSTICE: MAGARA MURDER CASE PUSHED TO OCTOBER OVER LACK OF FUNDS

Hearing of a 2018 murder case against nine suspects accused of kidnap and murder of businesswoman Susan Magara stalled last week before the High Court in Kampala due to lack of operational funds.

Court presided over by Justice Alex Mackay Ajiji pushed the hearing of the case to October 16th, 2023 with hopes that by then, funds will be available for a special criminal session to be convened.

State prosecutor Irene Nakibungwe informed court that the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) is not ready to present its witnesses because they too need money to facilitate the witnesses.

Justice Ajiji said funds are needed to secure at least 5 defence state-paid attorneys to beef up the number of assessors.

The suspects including; Lubega Yusuf, Wasswa Hussein, Sali Muzamir, Kyewolya Abubakar and Kisalita Muhammad , Kato Hassan Miro, Bukenya Ismaeal and Buvumbo Musa Abasi have since denied the charges.

Prosecution states that on February 7th, 2018, the accused persons with an intention to procure a ransom kidnapped Magara. That after receiving 200, 000 US Dollars (about Shs 700 million) from her family, they went ahead and murdered Magara on February 27th, 2018 at Kigo in Wakiso district.

Evidence in the charge sheet indicates that in January 2018, the nine suspects with others still at large, met at Usafi Mosque and conjured up a plan of getting themselves out of poverty.

Their plan allegedly involved kidnapping rich people or their family members for ransom.

Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/magara-murder-case-pushed-to-october-over-lack-of-funds.html

ENHANCING ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW: JUDICIARY DEPLOYS NEWLY APPOINTED OFFICERS

Judiciary deployed 96 newly appointed judicial officers and 74 have been transferred in a bid to improve access to justice in the country. The officers include registrars, assistant registrars, and grade one magistrates.

According to Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny–Dollo, the new deployments are geared towards strengthening the capacity of the courts to settle disputes in a timely manner and promote the rule of law.

While releasing the transfer list, the Chief Registrar, Ms Sarah Langa Siu stated that the transfers and deployments have been informed by caseload and the fulfillment of the Chief Justice’s promise to extend judicial services closer to the people.

Langa is optimistic that with these numbers at the magisterial level, case backlog in the Magistrates Courts will significantly reduce.

According to Langa, the deployments are with immediate effect, while the transfers are with effect from September 1st, 2023.

Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/judiciary-deploys-newly-appointed-officers.html

CONCLUDING REMARKS

1.   International Youth Day celebrations are not only about acknowledging the contributions of young people but also about recognizing the pivotal role they play in shaping the world. By celebrating this day, societies affirm their commitment to nurturing the potential of the younger generation and ensuring a better tomorrow for everyone.

2.   Tree planting is not just about ecological conservation; it is a powerful tool for upholding environmental rights. It addresses a range of issues, from clean air and climate stability to biodiversity preservation and environmental justice. Recognizing and supporting tree planting initiatives is a crucial step toward ensuring that individuals and communities can enjoy their environmental rights now and in the future.

3.   Efforts to address delays in the legal system, such as court reform, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and improved case management, are crucial to mitigate these negative effects and uphold the principles of justice and the rule of law.

4.   Deployment of more judicial officers in Uganda can have a transformative impact on the country's legal system, improving access to justice, reducing case backlog, strengthening rule of law and the promotion and protection of rights and freedoms. This investment in the judiciary is essential for upholding human rights, promoting economic development, and fostering a more just and equitable society.

Thank you for reading. Wishing you a happy and fruitful week.