HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO. 28 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 4^TH TO 10^TH SEPTEMBER 2023

Dear Esteemed Reader,

Welcome to this new week,

Thank you keeping with us throughout this journey of contributing to a conducive working environment for human rights defenders and the overall promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Human rights are a critical aspect of our global society, and staying informed about the evolving challenges/issues and opportunities in this field is essential.

JUDICIARY HAS NO SPACE FOR CORRUPTION - DEPUTY CJ BUTEERA

The deputy chief justice, Richard Buteera, has expressed concerns about ongoing corruption tendencies within the judiciary, particularly at the Chief Magistrate's courts.

He raised these concerns while closing a nine-day induction training for newly recruited chief magistrates at Colline Hotel in Mukono. Buteera emphasized the judiciary's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for corruption, emphasizing that there is no place for corruption within the judiciary. 

He called on the public to provide evidence of corruption so that appropriate action can be taken. To address these issues, Buteera advised chief magistrates to supervise, mentor, coach, and guide the magistrates under their jurisdiction.

“The processing of court records should not be left to clerical officers. It is your work. These records are yours; they reflect poor work for the judicial officer. On acquittal, the accused persons are entitled to their cash bail. The judicial officers should facilitate the recovery of their cash bail,” Buteera emphasized.

Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of judicial officers conducting their work mainly in open court, allowing the public to observe and critique their performance as they issue judgments. 

Source: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/79111-judiciary-has-no-space-for-corruption-deputy-cj-buteera

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: MUSEVENI RALLIES YOUTH TO FIGHT POVERTY

President Museveni has advised the youth to focus on wealth creation initiatives and rid their generation of poverty.

Speaking during his 79th birthday celebration organized by a group of youths led by the National Coordinator in the Office of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Chairman, Hadijah Uzeiye Namyalo, Museveni vowed to continue supporting youth entrepreneurs.

“The third area where there are jobs and money is service. Some of you who are already in that sector; hotels, boda bodas, hospitality, musicians, and so on, hat sector is already there and we shall give you more support,” Museveni said on Friday.

“Thank you very much for celebrating my birthday and for remembering the fighters that fought with me especially those of September 1972 and September 1985 but without forgetting all the others,” he added. The event has been held at Kololo ceremonial grounds in Kampala.

Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/museveni-rallies-youth-to-fight-poverty.html

ACCESS TO JUSTICE: DPP ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR CHARGING SUSPECTS

The director of public prosecutions Jane Frances Abodo has issued a revised comprehensive framework dubbed "Decision to Charge Guidelines 2023" aimed at assisting prosecutors to make informed decisions regarding charges brought against suspects.

The guidelines not only delineate the essential functions and responsibilities of prosecutors concerning the initiation of charges and the management of criminal proceedings but also emphasize the significance of these roles. 

Abodo, speaking during the launch, underscored the critical role of prosecutors as gatekeepers to the criminal justice system. She emphasized that the decision to charge and prosecute carries profound implications, affecting suspects, victims, witnesses, and the community at large.

The development of these guidelines was led by a 30-member task force of state attorneys, with former deputy DPP Charles Olem Ogwal at the helm. The process received support from international organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). 

The launch was attended by various state attorneys from the DPP's office, who will subsequently engage in discussions regarding the implementation and roadmap for the effective utilization of these guidelines. Their feedback will contribute to the continuous improvement of prosecutorial practices and the enhancement of the criminal justice system.

Source: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/79117-dpp-issues-new-guidelines-for-charging-suspects

FIGHTING CORRUPTION: UGANDANS URGED TO CLOSELY MONITOR UTILISATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS

Anti-Corruption activists are asking members of the general public to hold their leaders accountable by closely monitoring the utilization of state funds.

According to the Inspectorate of Government, Uganda loses over Shs.9 trillion annually due to corruption.

Speaking during a breakfast meeting with media practitioners on corruption reporting in Kampala, the Executive Director Alliance for Finance Monitoring Henry Muguzi, said this is the only way the fight against Corruption will be felt at the grass root level.

“Don’t just occupy the territory called Uganda, there are certain things we must do such as; holding accountable the people we have elected, public servants, technocrats, and ensuring that resources are well utilised. The starting point is to pick interest in the information about how state funds are utilized,” Musinguzi said.

Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/ugandans-urged-to-closely-monitor-utilisation-of-public-funds.html

SPEAKING AGAINST ABUSE OF THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN: NATIONAL CHILDREN AUTHORITY CONDEMNS KALUNGU MURDER

The National Children Authority NCA has condemned the murder of two children by their father in Kalungu district, and appealed to the police to speed up investigations into this matter to ensure that justice is served. 

On 2^nd September 2023, three children were poisoned by their biological father George Kibirigo following domestic misunderstanding with their mother.

Two of the children a daughter Christine Nabaterega and son Jorum Kawulide died while the other one survived and is undergoing treatment. He had just separated with his wife Nakyagaba Florence and decided to have custody of the children when the woman left their home.

Martin Kiiza, the Executive Director of the National Children Authority condemned this act that took two innocent lives.

“National Children Authority strongly condemns such cruel and inhuman acts of violence against children. Such acts of violence against children are not only offensive but also an insult to the fundamental values of humanity” said Mr. Kiiza.

REGIONAL UPDATE:

2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE: ABDUCTIONS, ARRESTS FOLLOW ZIMBABWE POLL OUTCOME DISPUTE

Zimbabwe’s opposition supporters and human rights defenders are complaining of frequent harassment including detentions, in the aftermath of the recent elections.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa won a second term with 52.6 percent of the vote in the August 23-24 elections, but the results were rejected by his main rival Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), who garnered 44 percent.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum, a grouping of over 40 civil society groups, said there was a worrying increase in cases of political violence against opposition supporters and human rights defenders.

One of the prominent cases involved the abduction and torture of a newly elected councilor in Harare and his friend by suspected state security agents.

On September 2, Womberaishe Nhende, who won a seat on a CCC ticket and his friend Sanele Mkhuhlane were picked from the latter’s home and bundled into a car by people believed to be security agents into one of the cars. The duo were allegedly assaulted and tortured before they were injected with an unknown substance and dumped about 70 km outside Harare in a bad state.

Source: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/rest-of-africa/abductions-arrests-follows-zimbabwe-s-poll-outcome-dispute-4363462

INTERNATIONAL UPDATE:

NATURAL DISASTER AND THE RIGHT TO LIFE: MOROCCO EARTHQUAKE: AT LEAST 2,000 DEAD AND THOUSANDS MORE INJURED

A powerful earthquake in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains has killed at least 2,000 people, a death toll that is expected to rise as rescuers were struggling on Saturday to reach hard-hit remote areas.

The magnitude-6.8 quake is the biggest to hit the North African country in 120 years.

At least 2,012 people died in the quake, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the epicentre, Morocco’s interior ministry said. At least another 2,059 people were injured, 1,404 critically, officials said.

The full toll will almost certainly increase as rescuers have struggled to bypass boulder-strewn roads to the remote mountain villages that were hit hardest.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said more than 300,000 people had been affected by the powerful tremors throughout the country.

Morocco declared three days of national mourning, during which the national flag would be flown at half mast, the royal court said. The Moroccan armed forces were deploying rescue teams to provide affected areas with clean drinking water, food supplies, tents and blankets, it added.

Residents of Marrakech, the major city nearest to the epicentre, said some buildings had collapsed in the old city, a Unesco world heritage site. The city’s famous 12th-century Koutoubia mosque suffered damage, but the extent was not immediately clear.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/09/morocco-earthquake-leaves-panicked-people-sleeping-in-street-reports

CONCLUDING REMARKS

1.   Corruption in the judiciary of Uganda, as in any country, has far-reaching and detrimental effects on the justice system, the rule of law, and the overall well promotion and protection of rights and freedoms. Corruption in the judiciary undermines public trust in the legal system, can lead to wrongful convictions or acquittals among others. Therefore, efforts to combat corruption in the judiciary in Uganda and other countries may include implementing transparency measures, strengthening judicial independence, enhancing legal ethics and accountability, and providing better salaries and working conditions for judges and court officials. Additionally, civil society organizations, the media, and international bodies often play crucial roles in exposing and addressing corruption within the judiciary.

2.   Monitoring the utilization of public funds by citizens plays a critical role in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Uganda. When citizens actively participate in overseeing how public resources are spent, it can lead to better management of public finances, reduced corruption, and improved public service delivery.

3.   Upholding the rights of children is essential for building a just, equitable, and prosperous society. It is a moral obligation and a wise investment in the future, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute positively to the world.

4.   Free and fair electoral processes are the cornerstone of democracy and good governance. They protect human rights, promote accountability, and contribute to political stability and economic development. Upholding these principles is essential for the well-being of nations and the advancement of democratic ideals worldwide and the enjoyment of rights and freedoms.

5.   HRCU is deeply saddened to hear about the devastating earthquake in Morocco and the loss of precious lives and the destruction it has caused. Heartfelt condolences go out to the families and communities affected by this tragedy.

Thank you for reading. Wishing you the very best of the week.