HRCU WEEKLY UPDATES: ISSUE NO. 12 OF 2024
THE
WEEK OF 15TH TO 21ST APRIL 2024
Dear
reader,
Welcome
to this new week, which presents to us yet another opportunity to continue and
explore avenues for improving on the human rights land scape in Uganda and the
working environment of human rights defenders.
As
detailed in this week's edition, a number of issues surfaced last week,
including the tax protests, launch of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal buildings by President Museveni, among other issues.
In the same week, Uganda Law Society, on Friday 19th April 2024, launched the 28th quarterly report on the state of rule of law between January and March 2024. The report highlighted the state of human rights protection and rule of law observances in the aforementioned period. Furthermore, the report's recommendations urged Uganda's Parliament to expedite the enactment of the HRDs Protection Bill, 2020.
Read
more about the report by following the link below:
https://thelegalreports.com/rule-of-law-uganda-law-society-issues-quarter-one-report/
RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND DEMONSTRATE: TAX PROTEST SHUTS DOWN BUSINESSES ACROSS UGANDA
The
week-long action was launched by the Federation of Uganda Traders Association
on Tuesday and has spread from the capital Kampala to many other parts of the
country.
"We
have called on all businesses in the country to close in protest until the
government hears our voice," FUTA president John Kabanda told said.
"We
are pressing ahead with the strike and we are determined to close for even a
month until the government acts on our demands."
Shops
and other businesses including butchers, bakers and eateries shut their doors,
protesting at high interest rates and taxes, with VAT at 18 percent, and a new
levy on imported clothing.
The
action was triggered by the government's enforcement of a tax regime known as
EFRIS requiring that all receipts and invoices submitted to the revenue
authority must be digital.
Uganda's
minister of state for finance, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, said the businesses were
protesting because they did not understand the new system.
"The
striking traders must appreciate the new system because it is for the good of
their businesses while enabling the country to collect taxes as opposed to
(relying on) foreign funding,"
Source:
https://www.voaafrica.com/a/tax-protest-shuts-down-businesses-across-uganda-/7573400.html
ENHANCING ACCESS TO
JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW OBSERVANCE: PRESIDENT COMMISSIONS JUDICIARY TWIN TOWER
BUILDING
The
president of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last week commissioned the twin
towers multibillion tower which will house the Supreme Court and Court of
Appeal at the High Court headquarters in Kampala.
The
twin tower buildings were completed last month March 2024 at a cost of 110
billion shillings.
President
Museveni promised to support the judiciary to ensure that it gets its
800billion budget to enable them take justice closer to the people. The
president noted that much as there is separation of power, the three arms of the
government should work together to make Uganda a great nation.
Speaking
at the said function, the Judiciary’s permanent secretary Pius Bigirimana
explained how the said tower building will save the judiciary from spending
billions of shillings in rented premises as it has always been.
Source:
https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2024-04-18-president-commissions-judiciary-twin-tower-building/
RIGHT TO JUST AND FAIR
COMPENSATION: OIL: LANDOWNERS STORM HOIMA HIGH COURT, DEMAND BETTER
COMPENSATION
Landowners
living under the threat of eviction in oil-rich Albertine Graben in Buliisa
district last week stormed the High court in Hoima to protest against forceful
eviction without compensation.
At
least 42 families are set to be displaced for TotalEnergies’ Tilenga project
which is expected to produce 190,000 barrels of oil per day. Some of the project-affected persons (PAPs)
marched through the streets of Hoima, displaying placards with different
messages including; "Stop land grabs”, “Don’t displace us for oil”, “Our
land our lives”, "Justice denied", and "Don’t Drill on Our
Rights" among others.
Fred
Mwesige, one of the land owners led the peaceful protest, read out the petition
as a handful of court officials helplessly watched the drama unfold at the
court. Top on their grievances was the way the High court justice Jessy
Byaruhanga handled the petition filed by the Attorney General’s Chambers. Mwesige
explained that the court ruling was delivered within four days without granting
those (landowners) sued by the government a hearing.
RIGHTS TO A FAIR HEARING
AND DUE PROCESS: NUP SUPPORTERS PROTEST CONTINUED DETENTION AS ARMY COURT
DENIES THEM BAIL AGAIN
A
National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter, Muydin Kakooza aka Saanya who has been
on remand since May 2021, on Monday last week jumped out of the dock to charge
at army court's chairman Brig Robert Mugabe after being denied bail again for
the third time.
Kakooza
is accused alongside 27 others including Yasin Ssekitoleko alias Machete,
Robert Christopher Rugumayo, Patrick Mwase, Simon Kikaabe, Olivia Lutaaya, Abdu
Matovu, Ronald Kijambo, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Mesach Kiwanuka,
Abdalla Kintu, Umar Emma Kato, and Musa Kavuma of being in illegal possession
of 13 pieces of explosive devices between November 2020 and May 2021 in areas of
Jinja, Mbale, Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Natete, and Kampala Central.
The
seven-member panel of the court chaired by Brig Mugabe denied the suspects bail
on grounds that they did not prove that they have fixed places of abode in the
court's jurisdiction.
Although
the court found the sureties of the accused persons who included politicians
such as the leader of opposition in parliament (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi to be
substantial, they couldn’t be released on the basis that they are most likely
to abscond once granted bail.
"In
the premises, this court finds no merit in the application and declines to
grant bail to the applicants. The application is hereby dismissed. Court orders
an expeditious trial of the applicants in the main case. we so rule."
REGIONAL
UPDATE
UN RIGHTS CHIEF VOLKER
TURK ALERTS WORLD IS FORGETTING GROWING VIOLENCE IN EASTERN DRC
The
United Nations (UN) human rights chief on Wednesday last week called for
international attention to the ongoing war in North Kivu Province in the
Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk visited an internally displaced
camp on the outskirts of Goma, capital of North Kivu, where he met with victims
displaced by attacks carried out by March 23 Movement (M23) rebels.
"We
must work extremely hard for peace to be achieved," he said, stressing the
need to work on the underlying causes of conflicts.
Turk
is on an official visit to the DRC at the invitation of the Congolese
government. He is due to meet with President Felix Tshisekedi and senior
officials in the capital of Kinshasa.
The
escalation has led to a proliferation of armed individuals, bringing DRC
military positions closer to displacement sites near Goma, exacerbating
criminal activities and massive displacement of vulnerable populations.
The
Rutshuru and Masisi territories are currently suffering the most serious
consequences of the conflict.
KENYA MILITARY CHIEF, 9
OTHERS KILLED IN HELICOPTER CRASH
Kenya's
Defence chief and nine other top brass died on Thursday last week in a military
helicopter crash in a remote area of the country, President William Ruto said.
"Today
at 2:20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident... I am deeply saddened
to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the
Kenya Defence Forces (CDF)," Ruto told reporters.
The
president, who had convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council
after news of the accident emerged, said nine other "gallant military
personnel" on board were also killed while two survived.
Ogolla,
61, a trained fighter pilot, had only been in the post for a year but was
shortly due to mark 40 years of military service. Ruto said the Kenya Air Force
had dispatched an investigation team to establish the cause of the crash, which
took place in Elgeyo Marakwet county, about 400 kilometres (250 miles)
northwest of the capital Nairobi.
Ogolla's
helicopter went down shortly after takeoff from the village of Chesegon, where
he and his entourage had been visiting a school after making stops in other
areas to see Kenyan troops and other sites.
Source:
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/kenya-military-chief-9-others-killed-in-helicopter-crash-5473142
INTERNATIONAL
UPDATE
US SET TO IMPOSE
SANCTIONS ON ISRAELI MILITARY UNIT OVER ABUSES: REPORT
Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would fight against any sanctions
being imposed on Israeli military units for alleged rights violations, after a
United States media outlet reported that Washington was planning such a step.
The
US-based Axios news site on Saturday reported that Washington was planning to
impose sanctions on Israel’s Netzah Yehuda battalion, which has operated in the
occupied West Bank, though the Israeli military said it was not aware of any
such measures.
Israeli
media also identified the unit expected to be targeted as Netzah Yehuda – an
infantry battalion founded roughly a quarter of a century ago to incorporate
ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the military.
On
Friday, the US announced a new series of sanctions linked to Israeli settlers
in the occupied West Bank, in the latest sign of growing US frustration with
the policies of Netanyahu, whose coalition government relies on settler
parties.
“If
anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit of the [Israeli army] – I
will fight it with all my strength,” Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday.
Israeli
war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said in a statement on Sunday that he spoke
with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and asked him to reconsider the
matter.
Gantz
said any such sanctions would be a mistake because they would harm Israel’s legitimacy
during a time of war.
Blinken
said on Friday that he made “determinations” regarding accusations that Israel
violated a set of US laws that prohibit providing military assistance to
individuals or security force units that commit gross violations of human
rights.
CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS
1.
When
people protest, they typically exercise their rights to freedom of speech,
freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression. These rights are enshrined in
various international human rights documents, such as the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and also protected by national laws and the Constitution of the
republic of Uganda.
2.
The
commissioning of a judiciary twin tower building by President Museveni is a
significant step towards enhancing access to justice and promoting the
observance of the rule of law. Buildings of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal,
dedicated to judicial functions symbolize a commitment to providing a fair and
efficient legal system for citizens.
3.
Landowners
affected by oil exploration and extraction projects have the right to fair
compensation for their land, as recognized by international human rights
standards and often enshrined in national laws and regulations. This
compensation should take into account not only the market value of the land but
also any loss of livelihood, disruption to communities, and environmental
impact caused by the project.
4.
The
Eastern DRC has been plagued by conflict, instability, and violence for
decades, resulting in a humanitarian crisis characterized by widespread human
rights abuses, displacement, and suffering among the civilian population.
Volker Turk’s warning serves as
a reminder of the urgent need for sustained attention, action, and solidarity
to address the ongoing human rights challenges in Eastern DRC and to work
towards a peaceful and just resolution of the recurring conflicts.
5.
The
release of the 28th quarterly report on the state of rule of law by
Uganda Law Society, raises awareness among the public, policymakers, and
stakeholders about the current state of human rights protection and the rule of
law in Uganda especially in the reporting period. It also serves as a platform
for advocacy efforts aimed at addressing gaps, promoting reforms, and
strengthening legal protections for all citizens.
Thank
you for reading. Happy new week
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