HRCU WEEKLY ANALYSIS | 2ND TO 8TH JUNE 2025
THE
WEEK OF 2ND TO 8TH JUNE 2025
Dear Reader,
The Human Rights Centre
Uganda welcomes you back from the celebration of National Heroes Day, 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFkNXhDMY5A and to a new
week where we expect or hope to continue advocating for the promotion,
protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
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
UMEME TAKES UGANDAN GOVERNMENT TO
ARBITRATION OVER SHS1 TRILLION PAYMENT DISPUTE
Umeme Limited has announced
its intention to pursue international arbitration in London to recover an
outstanding claim of USD 292 million (UGX 1.11 trillion) from the Government of
Uganda, following its concession exit.
Source:
UGANDA
MARTYRS DAY 2025 COMMERATIONS-AS IT HAPPENED
Namugongo in
Uganda’s capital Kampala teemed with faithful, gathered to honour the Uganda
Martyrs on June,3rd 2025.
Source:
MUNYONYO
MARTYRS’ DAY EXPLOSION TRIGGERS QUESTIONS
An early
morning explosion in the quiet neighbourhood of Munyonyo, a Kampala city
suburb, yesterday tore through and disrupted the solemn Uganda Martyrs Day
Celebrations.
Source:
CHURCHES DEMAND QUICK REFORMS,
PEACEFUL POLLS
Religious
leaders from both the Catholic and Anglican faiths united to issue calls for free,
fair and peaceful elections ahead of the 2026 General Elections, set for
between January and February.
Source:
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/churches-demand-quick-reforms-peaceful-polls-5068370
GOVERNMENT
RELEASES SHS 270 BILLION FOR STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAY PROJECT
The government
of Uganda has released $ 75 million [ about shs 270 billion ] to kick start
construction of the standard Gauge Railway(SRG) project as the finance ministry
continues to negotiate with financing partners.
Source:
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/govt-releases-sh270b-for-standard-gauge-railw-NV_212091
ICC CLEARS WAY FOR KONY CHARGES
HEARING IN ABSENTIA
The
International Criminal Court (ICC) upheld a decision allowing the confirmation
of charges proceedings against fugitive warlord Joseph Kony to be held in
absentia. The confirmation hearing in The
Prosecutor v. Joseph Kony is scheduled to begin on September 9, 2025.
Source:
REGIONAL UPDATES
SUDAN'S PRIME MINISTER DISSOLVES
GOVERNMENT
Sudan’s new
Prime Minister Kamil Idris has dissolved the country’s caretaker government,
state new agency SUNA reported late on Sunday.
Source:
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/sudan-s-prime-minister-dissolves-government-5065540
OUTRAGE IN KENYA OVER DETENTION OF
SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
Kenyans have expressed outrage over
the detention of a software developer who created a tool to help people oppose
the government's annual finance bill because of fears that it will raise the
cost of living.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmjlp1gnp8o
SOUTH AFRICA'S EX-PRESIDENT LOSES BID
TO HAVE ARMS DEAL GRAFT CHARGES DROPPED
A South African high court has
dismissed former President Jacob Zuma's application to end his graft trial.
Zuma and French company Thales face corruption, money laundering, and
racketeering charges related to a 1999 arms deal. They argued that delays and
the death of two witnesses compromised their right to a fair trial.
Source:
KEY IVORY COAST OPPOSITION FIGURES
BANNED FROM OCTOBER PRESIDENTIAL VOTE
Four prominent opposition leaders in
Ivory Coast, including Tidjane Thiam of the main opposition PDCI party, have
been barred from running in the upcoming October presidential elections. The
Electoral Commission's decision has sparked criticism, with Thiam calling it a
sign of the country’s decline into undemocratic rule.
Source:
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES
SUDAN IS WORLD’S WORST HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE-BRITISH’S
LAMMY
Britain’s top diplomat David Lammy said that Sudan was experiencing“the
worst humanitarian catastrophe in the world”, calling for international
attention on the country after more than two years of war.
Source:
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/world/sudan-is-worlds-worst-humanitarian-catastroph-NV_212032
FACING A DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT, VIETNAM
ABOLISHES TWO-CHILD POLICY
Vietnam has ended its two-child policy
to counter a declining birthrate and safeguard its economic future.
Restrictions on family size, once enforced mainly for Communist Party members,
have been lifted. The government is now urging couples to have more children as
the birthrate drops below replacement levels.
Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/04/world/asia/vietnam-two-child-policy.html
RUSSIA AND UKRAINE FAIL AGAIN TO AGREE
CEASEFIRE BUT COMMIT TO PRISONER SWAP
A second round of direct peace talks
between Russia and Ukraine have ended without a major breakthrough, and only a
deal to swap more prisoners of war.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyng4dknwwo
TRUMP
BANS NATIONALS FROM 12 COUNTRIES, CITING SECURITY CONCERNS
U.S President
Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday banning the nationals of 12
countries from entering the United States, saying the move was needed to
protect against foreign terrorists and other security threats.
Source:
WEEK'S ANALYSIS
1. The general observation has been that since UMEME’s
exit, the matter of payments has been debatable. This brings into context cases
such as Occidental Petroleum
Corporation and Occidental Exploration and Production Company v. Republic of
Ecuador, ICSID Case No. ARB/06/11 (2006), where government breach
led to arbitration. The claim for Shs.1 trillion and having the matter going
for arbitration is progress on the legal arena but questions remain regarding
when this would be resolved and how best Uganda Electricity Distribution
Company Limited (UEDCL) should serve the population better.
2. Matters of national and public safety must be
handled and treated with utmost urgency. The bomb blast that led to the death
of two people riding on a motorcycle on 3rd June (Uganda Martyrs’
Day) could be a revelation of a much more rooted issue than the naked eye can
see. As the country moves forward, appreciation is given to security agencies
for the existing level of vigilance but more is needed to be done to avert such
occurrences. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5e1el9z97o
3. As Uganda looks forward to the 2026 general
elections, the role of Churches and other actors begins to be felt in demanding
quick reforms and peaceful polls. We have also seen in the recent past, organizations
such as African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims
(ACTV) in collaboration with Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Coalition
against Torture in Uganda, calling upon the State and all citizens to further
advocate for non-violent and torture-free elections. We hope that the message
shall be received and acted upon.
4. The decision International Criminal Court to hold Joseph Kony’s hearing in
absentia shows determination to pursue justice despite his absence. While
defendant presence is usually required for a fair trial, the ICC permits
proceedings if the accused voluntarily evades trial under Articles 63 and 67 of
the Rome Statute (1998). This approach was applied in the Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo,
ICC-01/04-01/06 (2006) case, balancing fair trial rights with accountability
for international crimes. The world awaits!
5. Much
as each State is sovereign, there is urgent need for all States to respect,
protect and fulfil citizens’ human rights and fundamental freedoms. The arrests
and detention of activists, the political tensions and any other situations
that instil fear and self-censorship amongst citizens have to be expeditiously
and adequately addressed. Leaders at the regional and international level must
strengthen ties and collaboration in seeing that their nations stay united and
focused on growth and development for all.
THANK YOU FOR
READING. LET US KEEP THE INTERACTION GOING!
Comments
Post a Comment