HRCU WEEKLY ANALYSIS | 26TH MAY TO 1ST JUNE 2025
Dear Reader,
The Human Rights Centre Uganda welcomes you to a
new week and is pleased to share some of the updates and analysis from the week of 26th May to 1st June 2025 focusing on human rights
and key emerging issues, particularly those impacting human rights
defenders (HRDs) in Uganda.
These updates underscore critical areas that
warrant the continued attention and advocacy of human rights defenders, with
the aim of steadily improving the environment in which they operate.
NATIONAL UPDATES
14 RESOLUTIONS ARISING FROM
AFRICAN CHIEF JUSTICES' SUMMIT
At least 14 resolutions
were framed arising out of the first-ever continental commercial summit by
African Chief Justices on how to use the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
mechanisms to resolve court matters amicably in their respective countries.
Source:
WHAT TO EXPECT AS GOVT
STARTS ENROLLMENT FOR IDS
The government has started
the National ID renewal exercise with a pilot phase running from May 2 to May
26, 2025, involving NIRA's Board and top ministry officials. Nationwide
registration begins on May 27 2025.
While the renewal is free, those correcting personal details will pay 200,000
shillings, and replacing a lost ID will cost 50,000 shillings.
Source:
BESIGYE TREASON CASE: NEW
DETAILS IN AMENDED CHARGE SHEET
The state has put on notice
the Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court about its intention to amend the treason
charges against Opposition stalwart Dr. Kizza Besigye and two other suspects.
Source:
COURT CANCELS NALUKOOLA'S
ELECTION AS KAWEMPE NORTH MP
The
High Court in kampala has annulled the election of opposition politician Elias
Luyimbaazi Nalukoola as member of parliament for Kawempe North, citing
electoral irregularities, and ordered the Electoral Commission to conduct a
fresh vote.
Source:
COSASE GRILLS ELECTORAL
COMMISSION OVER NALUKOOLA BY-ELECTION FAILING
Parliament’s
Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises(COSASE)
has faulted the Electoral Commission for its handling of Kawempe North by-election,
which was nullified by the High Court over electoral violence.
Source:
CAN EC BEAT 6-MONTH
DEADLINE TO HOLD BY-ELECTION?
Constitutional
lawyers say it will be difficult for the Electoral Commission to meet the
six-month deadline to conduct a by-election in Kawempe North, following the
High Court’s May 27th 2025
decision to nullify MP Elias Nalukoola’s election just
two months after he took office.
Source:
SUE SCHOOLS THAT REJECT
DISABLED KIDS, ACTIVISTS TELL PARENTS
Rights
activits are urging parents of children with disabilities to take legal action
against schools that reject them, citing discriminatory practices that hinder
access to education.
Source:
COSASE PRESSURES ELECTORAL
COMMISSION OVER VIOLENCE IN KAWEMPE NORTH BY-ELECTION
The
parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State
Enterprises (COSASE)
has questioned the Electoral Commission (EC) over the conduct of the recent
Kawempe North by-election, following widespread reports of violence and court
ruling that nullified the results.
Source:
UGANDA,
ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK SIGN SHS2.9 TRILLION DEAL TO BOOST INFRASTRUCTURE,
HUMAN CAPITAL
Uganda’s Permanent
Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi, and Dr. Rami Ahmed of
the Islamic Development Bank signed an $800 million (UGX 2.9 trillion) agreement
to support Uganda’s development from 2025 to 2027. The Country Engagement
Framework focuses on strengthening economic resilience and sustainable human
development. Key areas include infrastructure, education, and institutional
growth.
Source:
UGANDA TO HOST REGIONAL
SEMINAR ON INNOVATION, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY EDUCATION
In
a bold step towards strengthening innovation-led education in Africa, Uganda
will host a landmark regional seminar on STEM, Innovation, Entrepreneurship
Intellectual Property (IP) education.
Source:
UGANDA MARKS FIRST
EMERGENCY MEDICINE DAY WITH URGENT CALL FOR INVESTMENT IN CRITICAL CARE SYSTEMS
Uganda
has marked it’s first-ever Emergency Medicine Day with a renewed and urgent
call for increased investment and development of the country’s emergency
medical care systems.
Source:
BE IT NRM OR NUP I WILL NOT SHY
AWAY FROM PROSECUTING ANYONE, SAYS DPP ABODO.
The Director of Public
Prosecutions, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has warned that her office will
not shy away from prosecuting anyone specifically in reference to the
forthcoming 2026 general elections where a number of electoral offenses will be
committed by politicians from the opposition and those from the ruling party.
Source:
REGIONAL UPDATES
WORLD BANK CUTS KENYA'S
2025 GROWTH FORECAST AS PRIVATE SECTOR SQUEEZED
The World Bank has cut
Kenya's growth forecast for this year by half a point from its initial
prediction to 4.5%, it said on Tuesday, citing high levels of debt, high
lending rates and a decline in private sector credit.
Source:
WAR LEAVES SUDAN'S
INFRASTRUCTURE SHATTERED, WITH COSTLY REBUILD NEEDED
Two
years of war between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces have wrecked the
nation's infrastructure, with destroyed bridges, power outages, and looted
hospitals. Reconstruction may cost hundreds of billions, but ongoing conflict
and reduced foreign aid hinder recovery efforts.
Source:
NAMIBIA HONOURS VICTIMS OF
COLONIAL GENOCIDE AS REPARATION CALLS GROW
Namibia honoured the
victims of mass killings during German colonial rule with an inaugural memorial
day on Wednesday, as politicians and affected communities voiced fresh calls
for reparations from Berlin.
Source:
INTERNATIONAL
UPDATES
UN
EXPERT ASKS TOTALENERGIES TO ACT ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS
UN
Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders, Michel Forst, urged
TotalEnergies to protect activists linked to Uganda’s oil projects, citing
human rights abuse allegations. This followed Union Investment’s decision to
drop the company from its sustainable funds after a critical report on the
Kingfisher oil site.
Source:
JUDGE ASSASSINATED IN SOUTHERN
IRAN, JUDICIARY
A
criminal court judge with more than 12 years of judicial experience in the
southern Iranian city of Shiraz in Fars province was assassinated on Tuesday
morning on his way to work.
Source:
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/world/judge-assassinated-in-southern-iran-judiciary-NV_211558
US
HALTS STUDENT VISA APPOINTMENTS AND PLANS EXPANDED SOCIAL MEDIA VETTING
US President
Donald Trump’s administration has ordered embassies to stop scheduling
appointments for student visas as it prepares to expand social media vetting of
such applicants.
Source:
WEEK'S ANALYSIS
1. The resolutions from the African Chief Justices' Summit emphasize the need to protect judicial independence and enhance access to justice, particularly for vulnerable groups. These align with Article 128 of the Constitution of Uganda, which guarantees the independence of the judiciary, and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which secures the right to a fair hearing. This position was reinforced in African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights v. Kenya (Ogiek case, 2017), which affirmed the importance of judicial protection of community rights and access to justice.
2. Uganda's ID enrollment program aims to formalize identity and improve access to services. However, it must conform to Article 27 of the Constitution, which protects the right to privacy, and Article 16 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees recognition before the law. The importance of safeguarding data against misuse and unwarranted surveillance was emphasized in Digital Rights Ireland Ltd v. Minister for Communications (CJEU, 2014), which struck down laws permitting mass data retention without adequate legal safeguards.
3. The Besigye treason proceedings test the line between legitimate prosecution and political persecution. Article 28(1) of the Constitution guarantees a fair hearing before an impartial tribunal, and Article 14 of the ICCPR outlines international due process standards. These principles were highlighted in Media Rights Agenda & Others v. Nigeria (2000), where judicial independence was emphasized as essential for safeguarding civil liberties in politically sensitive prosecutions.
4. The court’s nullification of Elias Nalukoola’s election due to irregularities demonstrates the need to strengthen electoral processes in accordance with Article 61(1)(a) of the Constitution, which mandates the Electoral Commission to ensure free and fair elections. The Supreme Court's findings in Besigye v. Museveni & Electoral Commission (Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2001) acknowledged electoral irregularities and underscored the importance of legal reforms to safeguard democratic integrity.
5. The legal requirement for timely by-elections is embedded in Article 84(1) and (2) of the Constitution and Section 39 of the Electoral Commission Act. Delays in conducting such elections may amount to a denial of the right to representation. This was clarified in Paul K. Ssemogerere & Others v. Attorney General (Constitutional Petition No. 5 of 2002), where the court stressed the necessity of respecting constitutional procedures and timelines to uphold democratic governance.
6. Activists advocating litigation against schools that exclude children with disabilities rely on Section 5 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020 and Article 30 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to education. These frameworks prohibit discrimination in educational access. The Constitutional Court in JEEMA & 3 Others v. Attorney General (Constitutional Petition No. 14 of 2005) reinforced the right to equality and non-discrimination as essential components of inclusive education.
7. Emergency Medicine Day highlights Uganda’s obligation to progressively realize the right to health, as provided under Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), supported domestically by Objective XIV(b) of the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy. This obligation was the subject of litigation in CEHURD & Others v. Attorney General (Constitutional Petition No. 16 of 2011), which called on the state to be held accountable for failures in delivering maternal healthcare services.
8. The Director of Public Prosecutions' commitment to impartiality aligns with Article 120(3) of the Constitution, which entrusts the DPP with the authority to prosecute independently, free from political influence. This constitutional safeguard was tested in Uganda v. Col. Kizza Besigye & Others (2005), where the court underscored the importance of a fair trial and warned against executive interference in judicial processes.
9. Allegations against Total Energies involving displacement and environmental degradation must be addressed under Articles 39 and 237(2)(b) of the Constitution, which guarantee the right to a clean and healthy environment and protect customary land rights. These obligations are reflected in the findings of SERAC v. Nigeria (2001), where the African Commission held the state responsible for failing to protect communities from environmental harm caused by corporate actors.
10.The Shs.2.9 trillion development financing agreement with the Islamic Development Bank must comply with Articles 159 and 160 of the Constitution, which regulate public borrowing and parliamentary oversight, along with the Public Finance Management Act, which promotes transparency and accountability in public expenditure. Public interest in economic and environmental accountability was upheld in Greenwatch v. Attorney General & UETCL (2002), where the court recognized civil society’s standing in challenging government actions affecting national development.
11.The suspension of student visa appointments and expanded vetting measures by the United States may raise concerns under international anti-discrimination norms and rights to education and freedom of movement, as protected by Articles 13 and 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These principles were at the center of IRAP v. Trump (2017), where U.S. courts examined the constitutionality of executive actions restricting entry based on nationality and religion, finding them discriminatory and unjustifiable.
THANK YOU FOR READING. WISHING YOU A FRUITFUL!
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