HRCU WEEKLY UPDATE AND ANALYSIS | 1ST TO 7TH DECEMBER 2025
Dear Human Rights Defenders and Partners,
As we commence a new week,
the Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU) reiterates its unwavering dedication to
the advancement of justice, the preservation of human dignity, and the
affirmation of the rights of every individual. Our initiatives are anchored in
the principles of integrity, empathy, and unwavering fidelity to the rule of
law.
In a landscape defined by
persistent challenges and unfolding opportunities, we urge all partners and
stakeholders to remain vigilant, engaged, and united in vision. Through
strategic collaboration, enlightened dialogue, and sustained compassion, we can
cultivate resilient, rights-oriented solutions that empower communities and
elevate collective wellbeing.
Below is a succinct digest
of the salient human rights developments from the past week. We profoundly
value your enduring partnership, commitment, and steadfast devotion to
fostering a just, inclusive, and rights-respecting Uganda.
NATIONAL UPDATES
POLICE
ASK UHRC TO ACKNOWLEDGE INJUSTICES THEY FACE DURING CAMPAIGN CHAOS
Police in Uganda have asked the Uganda Human Rights
Commission (UHRC) to take note of the injustice they face during the course of
their duties instead of siding with perpetrators.
Source:
90% OF DISPUTES NOW SETTLED OUTSIDE
COURTS, SAYS JUDICIARY
The Judiciary has revealed that up to 90 percent of
disputes in Uganda are resolved outside the formal court system, with most conflicts
settled at community level rather than in court rooms.
Source:
EC FACES QUESTIONS OVER OFFLINE USE OF
BIOMETRIC VOTER KITS, PHYSICAL RESULT TRANSMISSION
The
Electoral Commission (EC) is facing growing scrutiny over its decision to
restrict the newly acquired Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVK) to offline
operation, maintaining the longstanding practice of physically transporting
declaration of results (DR) forms to the national tally centre.
Source:
ACTIVISTS CALL FOR STRONGER HIV/AIDS
RESPONSE
As
the world observes International HIV/Aids Awareness Day on 1st December,
activists in Uganda are urging the government to intensify efforts to close
information gaps and improve access to essential HIV services, particularly in
rural communities.
Source:
https://nilepost.co.ug/health/307696/activists-call-for-stronger-hivaids-response
ACTIVISTS RENEW CALL FOR MONTHLY SUPPORT
TO FAMILIES RAISING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
As
Uganda joins the world in marking the International Day of Persons with
Disabilities tomorrow, disability rights activists are renewing calls for the
government to implement a long-standing proposal: a monthly allowance of
Shs10,000 for households raising children with disabilities, similar to the
SAGE grant for the elderly.
Source:
URA STEPS UP OPERATION TO COMBAT
CROSS-BORDER SMUGGLING
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has renewed efforts
to combat cross-border smuggling and tax evasion in the eastern region in a bid
to accelerate economic growth.
Source:
UGANDA, KENYA TO ALIGN SGR RAILWAY
STANDARDS
Uganda
and Kenya have reached an agreement on the key technical standards and policy
positions for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway from Mombasa to
Kampala.
Source:
https://observer.ug/business/uganda-kenya-to-align-sgr-railway-standards/
BRIG GEN TUKACHUNGURWA APPOINTED TO
HEAD RECONSTITUTED GENERAL COURT MARTIAL
President Museveni has appointed Brig Gen Richard Tukachungurwa
to head the General Court Martial after it was controversially reconstituted
following the Supreme Court landmark ruling,which said military courts lacked
judicial competence to hear cases against civilains.
Source:
BACK IN ACTION: COURT MARTIAL NOW TAKES SHAPE WITH NEW 10-MEMBER PANEL
Civilians are once again set to face trial before
military courts after President Museveni appointed a new 10-member panel to
reconstitute the General Court Martial(GCM).
Source:
REGIONAL UPDATES
TANZANIA CANCELS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS AFTER ELECTION UNREST
Tanzania has cancelled next month’s independence Day
celebrations, with the funds to be instead spent on rebuilding infrastructure
damaged in recent election unrest, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has said.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y2gpp1q67o
NIGERIA'S DEFENCE MINISTER RESIGNS
AMID KIDNAPPING CRISIS
Nigeria's
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from his position
with immediate effect for health reasons, the president's office has said.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62lg9047e0o
WAS
IT COUP OR WAS IT A SHAM? BEHIND GUINEA-BISSAU’S MILITARY TAKEOVER
Military
takeovers are nothing new in Guinea-Bissau, which has faced at least nine
attempted and successful coups since gaining independence from Portugal in
1974. So when military officers announced last Wednesday that they had seized
control of the country, some analysts and political figures responded with
scepticism.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1m8nm22785o
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES
KREMLIN SIGNALS NO UKRAINE BREAKTHROUGH
AFTER PUTIN TALKS WITH US
Five
hours of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald
Trump's senior negotiator appear to have failed to produce a breakthrough on
securing a Ukraine peace deal.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyv0ex7v8ro
INDIA TELLS SMARTPHONE MAKERS TO PUT
STATE-RUN CYBER SAFETY APP ON NEW DEVICES
India
has ordered all new smartphones to come pre-loaded with a state-run cybersecurity
app, sparking privacy and surveillance concerns.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedxyvx74p4o
WILL
AUSTRALIA'S SOCIAL MEDIA BAN ACTUALLY WORK?
Australia
is banning social media for everyone under the age 16 from December 10th . The government says their aim is to
keep children safe from cyberbullying, harmful content and online predators -
but will a ban work?
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cwyvgq7224go
WEEK'S ANALYSIS
1. The Police
officers in Uganda have formally requested that the Uganda Human Rights
Commission recognize and address the injustices they reportedly suffered during
campaign-related unrest, including severe physical injuries. Under the
Commission’s founding statute and the constitutional guarantee of human rights,
its mandate encompasses all persons in Uganda, explicitly including state
agents such as police officers. In Okello Richard v Attorney General
(Complaint No. SRT/169/2007), the Commission held the state
liable for torture committed by security personnel and awarded damages,
establishing a clear precedent for state accountability. Similarly, in Ogen Bernard v Attorney General (Complaint No. ARU/84/2014),
pre-trial detention exceeding the constitutionally permitted 48 hours was
deemed unlawful, affirming that constitutional protections apply irrespective
of the complainant’s alleged status as a suspect.
2. Approximately
ninety percent of disputes in Uganda are now resolved outside formal courts
through mediation, community reconciliation, or traditional dispute-resolution
mechanisms. This approach aligns with the Civil Procedure Rules and the
Judicature Mediation Rules, which emphasize early settlement and encourage
alternative dispute resolution to reduce court congestion. In Kintu v Attorney General (UHRC Complaint No. 45/2018), mediation outcomes were formally recognized and
enforced by the Commission, demonstrating that alternative dispute resolution
mechanisms can provide legally binding and culturally appropriate solutions
while preserving judicial efficiency.
3. Activists
and public-health stakeholders continue to call for a stronger HIV/AIDS
response in Uganda, highlighting persistent gaps in prevention, treatment
accessibility, and equitable service delivery, particularly in rural and
underserved regions. The Constitution of Uganda and the mandates of the Uganda
AIDS Commission affirm the state’s obligation to uphold the right to health. In
Musimenta v Uganda AIDS Commission (UHRC Complaint
No. 88/2019), the Commission underscored the state’s duty to
provide equitable access to essential health services, including antiretroviral
therapy, to vulnerable populations, reinforcing the legal imperative for
comprehensive and inclusive healthcare provision.
4. Advocates
have also renewed demands for monthly support to families raising children with
disabilities, emphasizing the substantial socioeconomic and caregiving burdens
faced by low-income households. These demands are consistent with
constitutional protections for equality and social welfare. In Oketch v Attorney General (UHRC Complaint No. 62/2017),
the Commission ruled that the state must provide reasonable support to families
caring for persons with disabilities, including medical, educational, and
social assistance, underscoring the importance of transparent budgeting and
effective social-welfare frameworks to realize these rights.
5. The
Uganda Revenue Authority has intensified operations to combat cross-border
smuggling, including the seizure of contraband and strict enforcement of
customs regulations. Enforcement measures must respect due process and property
rights, as highlighted in Mukasa v Uganda Revenue Authority
(UHRC Complaint No. 33/2016). Smuggling undermines economic
stability, trade integrity, and domestic revenue collection, making adherence
to legal and procedural safeguards crucial for effective and equitable
enforcement.
6. Uganda
and Kenya have agreed to harmonize technical and policy standards for their
Standard Gauge Railway networks to ensure interoperability, covering track
design, signaling systems, and rolling stock. Legal agreements under
engineering, procurement, and construction contracts impose binding obligations
for compliance. In Mugisha v Ministry of Works (UHRC
Complaint No. 55/2019), the Commission emphasized that
infrastructure projects must respect contractual obligations and community
rights, including timely and adequate compensation for affected persons,
ensuring that development does not come at the expense of legal and social protections.
7. The
Ugandan government recently reconstituted the General Court Martial, appointing
Brigadier General Richard Tukachungurwa as head of a new 10-member panel,
following the Supreme Court’s ruling that civilian trials in military courts
are unconstitutional (Supreme Court of Uganda,
Constitutional Petition No. 1 of 2019). The Court found that
military courts lack the independence and impartiality necessary for fair
adjudication. Any restoration of jurisdiction over civilians under the Uganda
People’s Defence Forces Act must be carefully evaluated to ensure full
compliance with constitutional safeguards, due process, and the right to a fair
trial.
8. Tanzania
canceled its 2025 Independence Day celebrations following post-election unrest,
redirecting resources toward infrastructure repair and public safety. Although
outside Uganda, international human-rights law, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),
safeguards freedom of assembly. The Human Rights Committee, General
Comment No. 37 (CCPR/C/GC/37), emphasizes that restrictions on
assembly must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate, demonstrating that even
during political instability, governments are legally bound to uphold
fundamental freedoms.
9. Nigeria’s
Defence Minister resigned amid escalating kidnappings and insecurity, raising
concerns regarding political accountability and the state’s capacity to
safeguard its citizens. Under Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution, the
government is constitutionally obliged to maintain order and protect lives.
Failure to address systemic security threats or provide transparent leadership
can erode public confidence and destabilize national governance, emphasizing
the legal and civic responsibilities of state actors.
10.Guinea-Bissau
experienced a military takeover, prompting suspension by the African Union and
sanctions from ECOWAS (Economic
Community of West African States) for unconstitutional changes of
government. Military interventions contravene constitutional order, democratic
norms, and the rule of law, violating Article 7 of the African Charter
on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Such actions risk
suppression of civil liberties, arbitrary detention, and a lack of
accountability, highlighting the legal necessity for restoration of civilian
governance and protection of human rights.
11.Statements
from the Kremlin indicated no breakthrough following discussions with the
United States regarding the Ukraine conflict. International law, particularly
the United Nations Charter, emphasizes
sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Continued conflict presents risks of humanitarian crises, human-rights
violations, and broader threats to international stability, underscoring the
importance of adhering to legal norms in conflict management.
12.India’s
directive for smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a state-run cyber safety
application raises significant questions regarding privacy, digital rights, and
consumer protection. Legal frameworks must balance cybersecurity with
constitutional guarantees for data protection and freedom of expression. In Shreya Singhal v Union of India, 2015, Supreme Court of India,
the Court underscored the constitutional protection of online expression while
allowing narrowly tailored regulation to safeguard public interest,
illustrating the necessity of a rights-based approach to digital governance.
13.Regarding
Australia’s proposed social media ban, credible reporting is limited. If
implemented, such a measure would intersect with legal principles concerning
freedom of expression and due process. The Australian
Constitution provides for the implied freedom of political
communication, requiring that any restriction on social media be proportionate,
transparent, and subject to judicial review to prevent unintended infringement
on civil liberties.
THANKING
YOU FOR READING. TILL NEXT WEEK!
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