HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO. 29 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 11TH
TO 17TH SEPTEMBER 2023
Dear
Esteemed Reader,
Greetings,
its yet another week, another opportunity to expand our horizons on the
emerging issues within the working environment of human rights defenders in
Uganda and across the globe.
The
path of a human rights defender is often fraught with challenges, but your
unwavering commitment to justice is a guiding light for us all. You're making
the world a better place through the different initiatives geared towards human
rights promotion and protection.
PROMOTION OF THE RIGHT
TO EDUCATION: GOVT RELEASES SH109.71BN TO SCHOOLS AS THIRD TERM BEGINS
As
schools open up their gates to welcome learners for the final and promotional
term of this academic year, the government has taken a significant step by
releasing sh109.71 billion in capitation grants. Dr. Denis Mugimba, the
Spokesperson Ministry of Education and Sports, said the release is just coming
in time to ensure a smooth running of teaching-learning activities.
He
added that the funds are already in the school accounts, thereby ensuring a
seamless operation of the education system.
“A school that has not received its proportions should immediately
contact the respective officer of their local government,” the spokesperson
noted.
Available
information indicates that Shillings 61.49 billion is earmarked for Universal
Primary Education (UPE), with the remainder allocated to secondary schools
under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) program.
The
funds constitute 33 percent of the annual capitation grant budget, which stands
at Shillings 329.16 billion for both programs implemented in 12,433 UPE and
1,206 USE schools, excluding those in Kampala. The capitation grant is an
annual commitment from the government aimed at supporting the education of
learners.
BACK TO SCHOOL: POLICE URGE SCHOOLS TO REVIEW SECURITY
MEASURES
Police has appealed to school administrators to
review their emergency and security preparations within and around their
schools following the opening of term three today. This is under the safety
tips issued by police to school administration, parents and students.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga noted that the
review of the security and emergency measures within and around the schools
will ensure the safety of children while in schools but also ensure students
don’t enter schools with prohibited items. He asked schools to deploy sobber
and able -bodied security guards around school premises to avoid incidents of
being attacked like it happened recently when unknown gangs targeted schools.
Enanga also asked school administrations to be on
the lookout for drugs being brought in by students both in boarding and day
scholars. He noted that there should be thorough check up at the school gates
for narcotic drugs, smartphones, alcohol, electric gadgets and glass bottles
among others.
Enanga also urged parents to have non-negotiable
home rules that will help children not to join gangs where they might get
spoilt from. He said that if these safety tips are fully implemented, children
will be safe while at school and at home.
BREAKING: POLICE HALTS
NUP NATIONWIDE MOBILISATION
Uganda
Police last week suspended National Unity Party (NUP) countrywide mobilization
activities until further notice.
In
a statement, Police said that in view of breaches of guidelines, the activities
of the NUP are immediately suspended.
“We
are sending this strong message, that our country, Uganda, will not wait for its
village, towns, urban centres and cities to burn, before taking action to
protect its citizens and property. We are going to put an end to the mob mentality,
bullying and intimidating tactics of NUP radicals against innocent civilians
and law enforcers,” Police said in a statement signed by Deputy
Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi.
THE RIGHT TO VOTE: EC CONCERNED OVER LOW VOTER TURNOUT IN
RECENT ELECTIONS
The
Electoral Commission is concerned about the low voter turnout registered in
recent by-elections.
The
Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama was speaking in reference to
Omoro, Bukedea and the just concluded Hoima LC5 by-election where the EC
registered a turnout of just 34% of the registered 94,532 voters.
Meanwhile,
the leader of opposition in parliament Mr. Mathias Mpuuga blames this apparent
lack of interest in the electoral processes by the population on widespread and
recurrent irregularities.
Yesterday’s
by-election saw the NRM candidate Uthman Mugisha emerge winner of with over
18,300 votes, against his closest challenger Savana Muhumuza’s 12,000
(independent) and NUP’s Moses Aguuda who had 3,900 votes.
The
Hoima LCV chairperson seat fell vacant following the death of Kadiri Kirungi in
a road crash that occurred in Kiboga along the Kampala-Hoima highway in March
this year.
Source:
https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/ec-concerned-over-low-voter-turnout-in-recent-elections.html
ENHANCING THE FIGHT
AGAINST HIV/AIDS: GOVT ASKED TO INCREASE HIV/AIDS AWARENESS AMONG ADOLESCENT
GIRLS
Civil
Society Organisations (CSOs) have asked government to increase awareness on
HIV/AIDS among adolescent girls and young women in the country.
According
to recent (2022) data from the Uganda AIDS Commission, the average HIV
prevalence stands at 5.1 percent, but when broken down, women had high rates of
6.5 percent with men at 3.9 percent.
According
to Bridget Amutwongire, the communications and media officer at Aids Healthcare
Foundation (AHF) Uganda Care, adolescents and young women lack sensitization
and knowledge about HIV prevention and treatment, especially in rural areas.
Meanwhile,
the Head of Advocacy and Strategic Litigation at Uganda Network of Law, Ethics
and HIV AIDS (UGANET), Ms. Immaculate Owomugisha says there is need for change
in the way HIV and sexual reproductive messages are communicated in the
country.
She
further pointed out the need to fix the information gaps at the family level, asking
parents to create time for their children especially those born with HIV.
Source:
https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/govt-asked-to-increase-hiv-aids-awareness-among-adolescent-girls.html
HUMAN RIGHTS, GOVERNANCE
AND DECISION MAKING: GOVT NOT USING DATA EVIDENCE TO INFLUENCE DECISION MAKING –
EXPERTS
Experts
attending the International Evidence Conference have expressed concern that
while a lot of data is being generated to guide decision-making, a lot of
technocrats still don’t pay attention leading to poor decision-making.
Speaking
at the opening plenary, Rose Orongi, director of public policy, and knowledge
translation at the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) said they
have developed tools or checklists to help governments in Africa
institutionalize evidence use but have realized that in some places efforts end
as soon as the funding ends as there are largely no knowledge transfer centers.
In
Uganda, Orongi said, they have mentored selected officials in the ministry of
Health and worked with them to revise their management and governance
guidelines to always show the evidence they have used to make key decisions in
their various departments and divisions.
She
added that while they push for technocrats to adopt evidence as this solves
wastage of resources, there is a double challenge that researchers care more
about publishing their work in journals than ensuring that their evidence gets
to be used by the public to create change.
Experts
who work for policy thinktanks across the continent and technocrats are sharing
lessons and doing checks to see whether projects undertaken in the previous
years are in line with the agenda of using evidence to develop policies.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATE:
ALMOST
2,000 LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS KILLED BETWEEN 2012 AND 2022 FOR
PROTECTING THE PLANET
At
least 177 land and environmental defenders were killed last year for trying to
protect the planet – one person every other day - according to a new report by
Global Witness released today, working in collaboration with our partners
globally. The new figures bring the total number of defender killings up to
1,910 between 2012 and 2022.
The
findings come ahead of world governments convening at COP28 in UAE in November,
where states will take stock of the progress made in implementing the historic
Paris Agreement established in 2015. The new Global Witness report emphasizes
the crucial role that defenders play in advocating for and achieving climate
justice, yet highlights that at least 1,390 defenders were killed between the
adoption of the historic climate Agreement on 12 December 2015 and 31 December
2022.
Colombia
was found to be the deadliest country in the world with 60 deaths in total last
year - more than a third of all killings globally. Despite Colombia ratifying a
key legally binding regional agreement in October 2022 requiring the government
to prevent and investigate attacks against defenders, this figure is almost
double the number of killings reported in 2021.
At
least 382 defenders have been killed in Colombia since Global Witness began
documenting deaths in 2012, making it the country with the highest number of
reported killings globally during that time.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
1.
As
children return back to school for third term, let's remember that education is
a journey, not a destination. It's a chance to grow, learn, and shape the
future. Embrace each day with enthusiasm and an open heart. Together, as a
supportive community of parents and students, we can make this school term a
memorable and successful one.
2.
Security
measures in schools are of paramount importance, as they play a vital role in
safeguarding students, teachers, staff, and the entire school community. In addition,
security measures in schools are not just about physical safety; they encompass
the emotional, psychological, and overall well-being of students and staff.
Creating a secure environment is an essential foundation for effective
education and a thriving school community.
3.
It's
important to note that the effects of low voter turnout can vary depending on
the specific election, its context, and the political system in place. Efforts
to increase voter turnout, such as improving access to voting, increasing civic
education, and engaging with marginalized communities, can help mitigate these
negative effects and strengthen democracy.
4.
The
need to fight HIV/AIDS remains as pressing as ever. While significant progress
has been made in prevention, treatment, and awareness, there is still much work
to be done to achieve the goal of an AIDS-free generation. Combating HIV/AIDS
is not only a moral imperative but also essential for global health, human
rights, and social justice.
Thank You for reading
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