HRCU WEEKLY ANALYSIS | 31ST MARCH - 6TH APRIL 2025
THE
WEEK OF 31ST MARCH TO 6TH APRIL 2025
Hello Reader,
The Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU) welcomes you to this new week and continues
to share with you some information from the past week while at the same time looking
forward to documenting and analyzing key developments from this week that it will
update you about in the course of next week.
For the HRDs in Central/Buganda region, welcome back from the celebration
of the 70th Birthday of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. The Kabaka Run
was so vital and instrumental in relation to encouraging men to champion the fight
against HIV/AIDS and support for the girl child. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/thousands-brave-rain-for-kabaka-birthday-run-4992736
We appreciate you for always taking time off to read the updates and sharing
feedback with us. Together, we defend; together, we make relevant impact. Advocacy
lives and moves on to make this world and our environment better.
NATIONAL UPDATE
Electricity distribution:
UMEME CONCLUDES OPERATIONS IN UGANDA, UEDCL TO TAKE OVER
ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION
Umeme ended its operations in Uganda's energy sector on March 31st,
2025. From April 1st, 2025, the Uganda Electricity Distribution
Company Limited (UEDCL) will handle electricity distribution.
Source:
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/we-are-ready-to-hand-over-power-umeme-4984874?utm
Journalism and the Media:
SHAKA SSALI: UGANDA’S FINEST JOURNALISM EXPORT
Shaka Ssali, a renowned Ugandan journalist, was best known for hosting
Voice of America’s (VOA) Talk
Africa. His influential career in media shaped global perspectives
on Africa, leaving a lasting legacy in African journalism.
Source:
The Fight against Corruption:
ROBERT KYAGULANYI SLAMS PARLIAMENT OVER CORRUPTION,
OPPOSITION UNVEILS ALTERNATIVE BUDGET
Robert Kyagulanyi, Leader of Opposition for NUP, criticized Parliament
for its failure to address corruption. The Opposition also unveiled alternative
budget priorities, emphasizing health, education, and infrastructure.
Source:
Children with Special Needs:
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, NNAABAGEREKA SYLVIA NAGGINDA CALLS
FOR SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Queen Sylvia Nagginda called for greater support and inclusion
for children with special needs, urging the government and society to
prioritize accessible education and healthcare.
Source:
Land rights/Livelihoods:
COMPENSATION DISPUTES OVER OIL PIPELINE DISPLACEMENT IN
UGANDA
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has displaced 13,000 people
in Uganda and Tanzania. A report reveals dissatisfaction with compensation and
resettlement processes, citing inadequate funds and infrastructure.
Source:
Health Watch:
HEALTH CONCERNS RISE AS MPOX CASES INCREASE IN UGANDA
Uganda has reported 509 new laboratory-confirmed mpox cases, bringing
the total to 2,989 in early 2025. The rising number of cases has raised public
health concerns, leading authorities to step up efforts to control the
outbreak.
Source:
https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/mpox-cases-near-3000-in-uganda-in?utm
Food and Livelihoods/Refugees:
UGANDA FACES REFUGEE FOOD CRISIS AS DONOR FUNDING CUTS
Uganda will take on the full responsibility of feeding its 1.7 million
refugees in three months, as foreign donors end their support. The government
is seeking immediate solutions to address the food shortage.
Source:
Climate Change:
UGANDA'S CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY ON COURSE
At the 29th Conference of the Parties, Uganda reaffirmed its
commitment to addressing climate change, emphasizing the need for strategic financing
and policy reforms. The country aims to update its climate goals and enhance
its role in Africa's climate discussions.
Source:
Leadership Code and Integrity:
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF GOVERNMENT TO PENALIZE LEADERS OVER
UNDECLARED ASSETS
The Inspector General of Government, Betty Kamaya has warned that public
officers and politicians who miss the wealth declaration deadline on Monday
will face penalties. This is part of efforts to enforce transparency and
accountability
Source:
REGIONAL UPDATES
Foreign Policy and Relations:
SUDAN'S PARAMILITARY RSF CHIEF SAYS WAR WITH ARMY IS NOT
OVER
Sudan's paramilitary RSF chief has stated that the conflict with the
army is far from over, despite ongoing efforts for peace. He emphasized that
the RSF will continue to fight until their demands are met.
Source:
INTERNATIONAL UPDATE
Foreign Relations/Saving Lives:
ISRAEL ORDERS MASS EVACUATION OF RAFAH AS TENSIONS
ESCALATE IN GAZA STRIP
The Israeli military has ordered the mass
evacuation of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, indicating a potential large-scale
ground operation. This follows the end of a ceasefire with Hamas earlier this
month.
Source:
Natural Disaster/Calamity:
MYANMAR FACES DEVASTATION AS BODIES PILE UP IN MASS
GRAVES AFTER DEADLY EARTHQUAKE
A deadly earthquake in Myanmar has caused widespread destruction, with
many bodies being buried in mass graves as rescue efforts continue. The
disaster has overwhelmed local authorities and aid groups.
Source:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/01/myanmar-earthquake-death-toll-unmarked-graves?utm
WEEK'S ANALYSIS
1. UMEME’s exit and UEDCL’s takeover offer
potential for better service, but concerns remain about UEDCL's ability to
handle existing challenges and modernize infrastructure.
2. Shaka Ssali’s demise calls for orderliness and
responsible journalism devoid of cowardice and focusing on transformation. Journalists
in Uganda, Africa and world-over have to pick key lessons from Shaka’s work and
emulate his example to better the profession.
3. Corruption and bribery remain big challenges and
hindrance to national development. In many sectors of the country, the fight against
corruption has been preached but truth remains that no one seems to find the real
solution or end to the practice. Against such backdrop, human rights defenders have
to think of more strategies to see that this animal is hunted down before it eats
up all the institutions and agencies.
4. The above is intertwined with the IGG’s call for
transparency and declaration of wealth by public servants. It might seem like an
inconvenience to some of the public servants but ultimately, it helps to strengthen
value system and encourage ethical conduct amongst public officials. It should be
easy to live by – the declaration of wealth and personal assets.
5. It is critical for line ministries especially
the ministry in charge of Gender, Labor and Social Development to take matters of
children and especially children with special needs, seriously. Nongovernmental
organisations and individuals will do what they can but at policy level, more has
to be done to ensure that these children get a better and brighter future.
6. Issues to do with refugees and climate change
are becoming more popular in the discussion rooms and the earlier we conceptualize
them, the better shall be the advocacy strategies. If not well dealt with, the crisis
is likely to escalate and if left to get out of hand, the right to life with other
attendant rights shall be at stake.
WISHING
YOU A FRUITFUL AND PROSPROUS WEEK.
Thanks a lot team am commenting on issue number 5 as raised above it's true people with special needs require a lot in terms of social rehabilitation and above all income generating activities and it's timely that we are in the new plan for the country.
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