HRCU WEEKLY UPDFATE AND ANALYSIS | 15TH TO 21ST SEPTEMBER 2025
Dear Human Rights Defenders and Partners in human rights promotion;
As
we step into a new week, the Human Rights Centre Uganda reaffirms its
unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, and the full realization of human
rights for all.
In
an environment marked by both persistent and emerging challenges, your
continued engagement is more vital than ever. We call upon all stakeholders to
remain united, vigilant, and solutions-driven. It is only through meaningful
collaboration and open, inclusive dialogue that we can forge sustainable,
rights-based responses that strengthen and uplift our communities.
Below
is a brief overview of last week’s key human rights developments. We remain
deeply grateful for your dedication, solidarity, and tireless efforts toward a
more just, inclusive, and equitable society.
NATIONAL UPDATES
1995 CONSTITUTION: HOW DELEGATES ENTRENCHED HUMAN RIGHTS
As
Uganda marks 30 years of the 1995 Constitution, one of the most defining
debates of the Constituent Assembly (CA) remains the discussion on human rights
and freedoms.
Source:
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/1995-constitution-how-delegates-entrenched-hu-NV_218607
COURT DECLINES TO JAIL EC CHAIRPERSON OVER FAILURE TO
CONDUCT BY-ELECTION IN TORORO
The
Court of Appeal has dismissed an application seeking to have Electoral
Commission (EC) Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama and other commissioners
jailed for contempt of court after they failed to conduct a by-election for LC3
chairperson of Sere sub-county in Tororo District.
Source:
UGANDA AND THE TRAFFICKING CRISIS: HOW EXPLOITATION
NETWORKS TRAP WOMEN ABROAD
Human
trafficking has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges linked to Uganda’s
growing labour migration.While thousands of Ugandans lawfully secure jobs abroad,especially
in the Middle East,a growing number of women are falling prey to trafficking
rings that exploit weak migration systems and false promises of opportunity.
Source:
https://aptnews.ug/uganda-and-the-trafficking-crisis-how-exploitation-networks-trap-women-abroad/
PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS RAISE CONCERNS OVER EC SIGNATURE
VERIFICATION
A
section of presidential aspirants yesterday raised concerns over what they
described as the Electoral Commission’s (EC) unclear supporter signature
verification process.
Source:
LAW SOCIETY VOTES TO KEEP RUNAWAY LEADER SSEMAKADDE IN
OFFICE
Members of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) have
voted overwhelmingly to extend the tenure of the society’s Governing Council,
led by President Isaac Ssemakadde, by six months to allow for proper
organization of elections.
Source:
ULS DECRIES DETERIORATING RESPECT FOR RULE OF LAW BY
STATE AGENCIES
The
Vice President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Mr Anthony Asiimwe, has
decried the escalating and deteriorating respect for the Rule of Law by the
State through security agencies
Source:
REGIONAL UPDATES
VOTE COUNTING UNDERWAY IN
MALAWI'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Vote counting has begun following the closure
of polling stations at 14:00 GMT in Malawi's crucial presidential election.
Source:
https://www.africanews.com/2025/09/16/vote-counting-underway-in-malawis-presidential-election/
HAITI: GANGS CONTINUE TO
TERRORISE LOCAL POPULATION
In the Solino neighborhood of Haiti’s capital
Port au Prince, residents are hard at work cleaning up what is left of their
homes. The area was seized by gangs around a year ago, before they suddenly
left in recent weeks and told residents they could return. Some have seen their
entire livelihoods destroyed.
Source:
https://www.africanews.com/2025/09/17/haiti-gangs-continue-to-terrorise-local-population/
THE HUNGRY CAN'T STAY
SILENT' – BEHIND DEADLY PROTESTS IN OIL-RICH ANGOLA
The demonstrations have highlighted widespread
poverty and inequality in Angola, despite its oil wealth. As the country nears
50 years of independence from Portugal, frustration over rising living costs
and poor economic conditions is growing. The protests reflect deep
dissatisfaction with the government's response to these issues.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8ex6k88yy9o
INTERNATIONAL
UPDATES
THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIANS FLEE AS ISRAELI TROOPS PUSH
INTO GAZA CITY
Thousands
of Palestinians are continuing to flee Gaza City, as Israel's major ground
offensive aimed at occupying the area enters a second day.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx270y1rgzeo
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL URGED TO MAINTAIN INTERNATIONAL
SCRUTINY IN SRI LANKA
International civil rights
groups on Monday urged the UN Human Rights Council to maintain its oversight of
the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. The appeal comes ahead of the
council’s 60th session, where member states’ compliance with international
human rights treaties is reviewed annually.
Source:
SYRIA'S WORST DROUGHT IN DECADES PUSHES MILLIONS TO THE
BRINK
The
wheat fields outside Seqalbia, near the Syrian city of Hama, are usually golden
and heavy with grain. Instead, Maher Haddad's 40 dunums (10 acres) lays dry and
barren, producing barely a third of their normal yield. This year has been
disastrous due to the drought.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70x500lkdno
WEEK’S ANALYSIS
- By entrenching human rights, the 1995 Constitution mandates the State to respect and protect freedoms under Chapter Four. It creates institutions like the Uganda Human Rights Commission to handle cases of human rights violations. The Supreme Court in Kiiza Besigye v Attorney General [2016] affirms these rights’ supremacy. Political and resource challenges limit full implementation.
- Exploitation of young women and girls exploitative and at times, false job promises continues to be a great vice in Uganda. It is appalling to note that trafficking networks lure Ugandan women abroad despite the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2009. Cases like Umutoni v Uganda [2014] and Kasibante [2023] show enforcement weaknesses. Authorities face prosecution and coordination challenges. Urgent reforms are needed.
- By highlighting flaws in signature verification, presidential aspirants expose risks to lack of fairness under the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 140. Besigye v Museveni [2001] case stresses fair political participation. Inconsistency threatens candidate eligibility. Reforms must restore trust.
- Vote counting in Malawi’s presidential election reflects a critical moment for transparency and democratic trust. The Electoral Commission Act (Cap 2:03) mandates impartial and timely results. In Mutharika v Chilima (2020), the Supreme Court upheld strict electoral integrity. Delays or irregularities risk causing unrest and legal challenges.
- Events around the world including mass displacement of Palestinians in Gaza highlights; ongoing bombardment in Gaza and Syria’s failure to address its climate-driven drought point to the fact that much as human rights defenders continue to speak up for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, there continues to be instances that are beyond their comprehension and management. As such, advocacy must continue and leaders are not excluded from this. They must be restless until real or practical solutions to these realities are found and applied.
THANKING YOU FOR READING.
TILL NEXT WEEK!
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