HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE: ISSUE NO. 31 OF 2023
THE WEEK OF 30TH OCTOBER
TO 5TH NOVEMBER 2023
Dear reader,
A very warm
welcome the HRCU Blog where among other news items, we do share weekly updates
on the context of operation for human rights defenders in Uganda.
Last week
was packed with s much information but HRCU managed to pick out some that it
thinks shall inform advocacy efforts towards a better and conducive atmosphere
for the promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in Uganda and the world at large.
Information
from HRCU’s focal point persons in Eastern, Western, Northern and Central
Uganda is to the effect that the environment is generally calm save for the
isolated incidents that form the news as below:
LAND RIGHTS: NATIONAL LAND POLICY
UNDER REVIEW: MINISTER NABAKOOBA
Government is reviewing the National
Lands Policy that was approved by Cabinet in 2013 to ensure an equitable,
sustainable and productive land use.
This is according to Lands Minister
Hon. Judith Nabakooba during the National Land Policy Platform, themed
“Assessing the contribution of the National Land Policy to the Optimal Use and
Management of Uganda’s Land Resources”.
This follows the identification of
gaps, challenges and other emerging issues in its implementation after a study
that was done by consultants under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban
development.
Source: https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2023-10-31-national-land-policy-under-review-minister-nabakooba/
LIVELIHOODS: BUYENDE NUCLEAR PROJECT
TO DISPLACE 10 VILLAGES
Over 25,000 locals across ten Villages
in Buyende District are to be displaced as the long-awaited nuclear plant
project kicks off.
The Villages include; Kasaato, Buyanja
‘B’, Buyanja’ A’, Nawansaso, Butayunjwa, Kabalongo, Kiiga, Kyankoole, Kibaale,
and Nakawa, all in Buyanja sub-county,
Mr Solomon Muyita, the communications
officer in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, says Buyende, with
its robust geographical and environmental credentials, emerged the best out of
20 Districts in Uganda to host this monumental project following intensive
studies since 2016.
Some of the studies include;
meticulous assessment undertaken by the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission done in December 2021,
and discussions at the Africa Nuclear Business Platform Conference in March
2023.
According to Mr. Semale, most of the
locals are predominantly fishermen and livestock farmers who were born and
raised near the River Nile and Lake Kyoga shoreline, noting that coping with
the new areas shall be a challenge.
Ms. Hope Senkamba, the District
councilor representing Buyanja sub-county and Bukungu town council, says they
are set to lose their electorate due to the looming mass exodus.
Source: https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/buyende-nuclear-project-to-displace-10-villages.html
THE NEED TO MORE VIGILANCE IN SCHOOLS
TO PROTECT LIFE: TWO PUPILS DEAD IN MASAKA SCHOOL FIRE
Police confirmed that two pupils of
Kasaana Junior School in, Nyendo-Mukungwe division, Masaka City have died in a
fire that burned down a dormitory. The
incident that happened at 4:00am also left 11 pupils injured.
The dead were identified as Aloysius
Ahebwa and Malik Katende. Those critically injured include Christine Adong, a
school Matron, Austin Kisembo, Jordan Ssendagire, Arnold Tumwesige, Sharid
Mwanje among others.
According to school authorities, the
dormitory accommodated 15 children of Top and Primary One class.
Jamada Wandera the acting Greater
Masaka Police spokesperson, confirmed the incident, attributing it to a short
circuit. He said that although the
police Fire and Rescue team rushed to the scene to save the situation, the two
pupils could not be rescued.
Source: https://www.independent.co.ug/two-pupils-dead-in-masaka-school-fire/
INVESTIGATIONS AND THE QUEST TO
PROTECT LIFE: CMI INVESTIGATOR REVEALS MAGARA WAS INJECTED WITH ANESTHETIC DRUG
Kidnappers of Susan Magara injected
her with an overdose of the surgical anesthetic drug ketamine on her chest,
leading to her instant death, a witness told the High Court in Kampala.
Mr. Frank Nyakairu, a chief
investigator attached to Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), made the
revelation while detailing to court presided over by Justice Alex Ajiji on the
roles each of the nine accused persons allegedly played in the murder of
Magara.
“Abbasi Buwembo injected Magara with
Ketamine, a pain killer. It bust her heart and she died of suffocation. This is
because it must be administered slowly but Buwembo injected her with an
overdose,” Mr. Nyakairu explained to court.
Ketamine hydrochloride, is an
injectable medication that is given for surgical anesthesia. The witness
further said the drug suffocated Magara, leading to the bursting of her heart
and her eventual death. Court further heard that Yakub Byensi, a suspect who is
still at large, masterminded the whole mission together with Hakim Lugolobi,
who allegedly secured mobile lines that were used in the deadly mission.
The witness alleged that the role of
Hajara Nakandi, another suspect, was to guard Magara. She allegedly cut off
Magara’s two fingers that were sent to her family in a parcel before using her
car to transport and dump her body at Kitiko Birongo, along the Kampala
Southern Bypass.
Mr. Nyakairu also told court that
other suspects were mainly sent to spy and follow Magara’s family members
during the period when Byensi was asking for the ransom.
Justice Ajiji adjourned the case to
next week on Tuesday for further hearing.
CRIME AND THE QUEST FOR JUSTICE: FATHER WHO KILLED SON IN RITUAL SACRIFICE
JAILED FOR 52 YEARS
A father who killed his son in a ritual
sacrifice in an attempt to become rich has been sentenced to 52 years in prison
by the High court.
Justice David Batema heard that Hassan
Kafudde brought the idea of sacrificing his son in a ritual murder in order to
get riches. Bateema through the High court circuit in Iganga convicted and
sentenced Muyita Issa (A1), Hassan Kafudde (A2) and Kabaale Mubaraka (A3) for
the count of trafficking in persons contrary to section 4(a), 5(c) of the
Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act.
Court heard that on June 6, 2017, the
convicts while in Musita village in Mayuge district chopped off the head and
genitals of the child, MJ in a ritual sacrifice in search of quick wealth.
Muyita pleaded guilty and entered a plea bargain and offered to testify on
behalf of the prosecution as a witness.
He was sentenced to 25 years of
imprisonment. The trial proceeded against Hassan Kafudde and Kabaale Mubaraka
who pleaded not guilty. During the
trial, Muyita confessed that he walked with Kafudde from Musita trading centre
to the sugarcane
plantation wherein he presented his
son MJ to Kafudde to slaughter him using a big long knife.
Batema explained that he decided to
slap Kafudde with a long custodial sentence because he was unremorseful
throughout the court hearing and unwilling to show cause of regret for the
offence committed. Batema ruled that Kafudde should spend 52 years in Kirinya
prisons including the six years spent on remand.
The judge found Kabaale guilty of
being an accessory to commit a crime since he had knowledge about the crime
committed, but he was hesitant to alert police about the same. Batema had
sentenced him to three years imprisonment, but since Kabaale had already served
six years on remand, he directed for his immediate release.
NATURE DEFIES HUMAN
INTERESTS AS L. KYOGA FLOODS HIT NAKASONGOLA AGAIN
The new wave of floods has swept through a distance
of more than 1,500 meters from Lake Kyoga. The most affected areas in
Nakasongola include Lwampanga Town Council, Kabasombwe, Kyambogo, Kibuye,
Moone, Namunani and Kitalaganya fish landing sites.
PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT; NEW REPORT: “WORKING ON OIL IS FORBIDDEN: CRACKDWON AGAINST
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS IN UGANDA
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline project (EACOP) is one of the largest
fossil fuel infrastructure projects currently under development globally.
Uganda’s oil development, if completed, will include hundreds of wells, roads,
and a 1443-kilometer pipeline – the longest heated crude oil pipeline in the
world – connecting Western Uganda’s oilfields with the Tanzanian coast.
Environmental defenders in Uganda have
heavily criticized the project because of the risks it poses to the
environment, local communities, and its contribution to climate change.
Anti-EACOP and climate activists in Uganda have criticized the Ugandan government
for approving the project, as well as Ugandan and international companies
potentially involved in its finance, insurance, construction, or operation.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni is a staunch backer of Uganda’s oil sector
and has warned he will not “allow anybody to play around… [with his] oil.”
This report is based on interviews with 31
people in Uganda between March and September 2023, including 21 anti-EACOP
activists in Uganda.
Source:
Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/11/02/working-oil-forbidden/crackdown-against-environmental-defenders-uganda
ANALYSIS | CONCLUDING REMARKS
1.
Reviewing land
policy is crucial to ensure that land resources are effectively and sustainably
managed, to promote economic development, to protect the environment, and to
address the evolving needs and challenges of society. Regular policy reviews
help maintain the relevance and effectiveness of land governance in a changing
world.
2.
It is essential for
governments, organizations, and project developers involved in nuclear projects
to address these effects through thorough impact assessments, transparent
planning, fair compensation, and meaningful consultation with affected
communities. Mitigation measures and comprehensive resettlement and
rehabilitation programs should be in place to minimize the negative
consequences of forced displacement associated with nuclear projects.
3.
It's essential for
schools to have a comprehensive and up-to-date fire safety plan in place,
regularly review and update it, and involve all stakeholders in maintaining a
safe school environment. Collaboration with local fire authorities and
adherence to local fire safety regulations are also crucial.
4.
The right to life
is a cornerstone of human rights and serves as the foundation for a just and
humane society. It reflects our shared values, ethical principles, and the
universal recognition that every individual has an intrinsic worth that must be
protected and respected.
5.
The protection of
Environmental Human Rights Defenders in Uganda is essential for environmental
conservation, public health, sustainable development, and the protection of
human rights. It is not only a matter of national interest but also a global
imperative, given the interconnectedness of environmental issues and their
global impact.
6.
Environmental
conservation is a vital component of flood prevention and resilience. It helps
maintain the natural systems that regulate water flow, reduce the risk of
flooding, and protect human and environmental well-being. Sustainable
environmental practices are essential for a safer and more resilient future.
Thank you for reading. Happy new week.
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