KAMPALA -- Press Statement by the Uganda Human Rights Commission on issues of human rights concerns arising from the lockdown imposed in response to the current wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

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Published: July 19 2021

KAMPALA -- The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) visited the new Attorney General (AG) of Uganda Hon. Kiryoowa Kiwanuka, on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, to streamline coordination and ensure better working relations between the two institutions.

The visit which was initiated by the Attorney General himself saw the Commission present to him a number of issues affecting its operations.

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The Uganda Human Rights Commission in conjunction with other stakeholders annually commemorates the World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated every 3rd of May of every year. The Commission does so in order to fulfill its constitutional mandate as the National Human Rights Institution, which is mandated to protect and promote human rights for all people in this country as enshrined under Article 52 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed the World Press Freedom Day in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference and since then, 3rd May is celebrated worldwide every year as World Press Freedom Day (WPFD).

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Published: May 3, 2020

Following its statement that was issued on the 25th of March 2020 on the human rights concerns in dealing with Covid-19, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) continues to monitor the observance of human rights, duties and responsibilities in the fight against Covid -19 in line with its mandate under Article 52 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. 

The Commission has been monitoring the human rights situation in the last three weeks of the lockdown and now wishes to appreciate the good work done by the Government of Uganda under the strategic leadership of His Excellency the President, and under various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, with the Ministry of Health at the helm in conjunction with all security agencies, particularly for the well-designed multi-sectoral preventive and response measures to COVID-19 in the country.

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Published: April 24, 2020

By Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria

As the country experiences the 21 days additional lock down arising from the various directives issued H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda, it is important to note that these directives are within the law. The institutions charged with the responsibility to observe and enforce these directives also need to ensure that their actions are within the law. There are a number of legal items to reflect upon as we implement the guidelines.

The Constitution of Uganda as the supreme legal instrument under Objective 23 states that “the State shall institute effective machinery for dealing  with  any  hazard  or  disaster  arising  out  of  natural  calamities  or  any  situation  resulting  in  general displacement of people or disruption of their normal life”. COVID-19 has disrupted the normal life of citizens. 

The Public Health Act (Cap. 281) 

This law empowers the Minister of Health to take measures to combat the spread of an infectious disease. Under this law, a number of statutory instruments have been published to implement the measures given by the Presidential directive to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These instruments include: 

a) Public Health (Notification of COVID-19) Order, 

b) SI No 45/2020; Public Health (Prevention of COVID-19) (Requirements and Conditions of Entry into Uganda) Order, 

c) SI No 46/2020; Public Health (Control of COVID-19) Order, 

d) SI No 52/2020; and Public Health (Prohibition of Entry into Uganda) Order, SI No 53/2020. The Public Health Act therefore provides a robust legal framework for the government to implement the directives against COVID-19 in Uganda.

At the Local Government Level, the Local government authorities have the power to enforce these regulations. 

The Ministry of Health has remained key as front line personnel in the fight against COVID-19. They have played a significant role by providing technical guidance for government authorities, health workers and other key stakeholders against community spread of the pandemic.

The Security forces have also played an important role against the COVID-19 pandemic, GOU has heavily relied on the supportive role of the security forces which has enhanced the Civil- Military Cooperation in Uganda.

The Public Health crisis resulting from the COVID-19 has had immediate head-on effects which will have longer economic implications. Unsurprisingly, during this time of near-universal crisis, the government has enlisted the armed forces to help in combating the pandemic. 

The National Security Council has set up an Inter-Agency Joint Task Force (JTF) at National and Regional levels to support the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Combatting CODIV 19 epidemic in Uganda. The JTF is led by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces’ (UPDF) Deputy Chief of Defence Forces,

The Security forces in Uganda possess a national command network with experience emergency response and disciplined manpower who can be deployed at relatively short notice to help supplement civilian frontline services during national emergency situations. 

The National Security Forces have been deployed to ensure observance of the mandatory quarantine and ensuring compliance to the guidelines. 

There have been some allegations of human rights violation and aggravated torture of several women and some men who were being accused of flouting curfew orders and the ban on public spaces. However, the leadership of both the UPDF and UPF have come out clearly and strongly condemned the outrageous and gross acts of misconduct by the officers, who instead of protecting the constitutional and civil rights of the victims, violated it with the excessive use of force. Such cases have been taken seriously and the concerned officers have been arrested and charged in the court martial.

Civil cooperation

So far there has been a high level of cooperation demonstrated by majority of the people in Uganda in ensuring compliance with the safety measures issued to secure the country from the COVID-19 threat. However, there are some citizens taking risks by failing to stay at home and violated the ban on curfew contrary to the law. Under the Penal Code (CAP 120), a person who does any negligent act, which is and which he or she knows or has reason to believe to be likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.

It is very unfortunate to note the incident where a civilian attacked a UPDF soldier and he lost his eye in an operation to enforce the presidential directive on curfew. It is important that the Citizens to maintain cooperation with security forces and avoid attacking the security forces and defying the directives on COVID-19.

Despite the challenges faced in enforcing the directives on COVID-19 pandemic, we appreciate the health officials and the security officers of integrity who pride themselves on high standards of discipline and professionalism to keep our country and all Ugandans safe and secure. For God and my Country.

Dr. Okiria is a commissioner at the Uganda Human Rights Commission

Published: April 23, 2020

Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) acting chairperson Dr. Katebalirwe Amooti Wednesday said such preventive measures are consistent with the provisions of articles 23 and 43 of the country’s Constitution.

UHRC urged security agents to respect human rights in the enforcement of the guidelines on preventive measures in line with article 221 of the Constitution.

Article 23 (1) guarantees the enjoyment of the right to personal liberty but also outlines circumstances under which one can be deprived of personal liberty which includes purposes of preventing the spread of an infectious or contagious disease.

“People should know that human rights can be limited for purposes of public order, public health, security, and morality,” Katebalirwe said.

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Published: March 27, 2020

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has come up with several interventions related to the observance of human rights.

These interventions include the following:

UHRC Central Regional Office is airing spot messages as a campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic with a human rights perspective .The messages are running on Capital FM, CBS(Kampala) ; Sun FM ( Mityana); Buwama FM (Moigi) and Tropical FM ( Mubende).

UHRC Commissioner Mr. Meddie Mulumba has been interviewed by NTV where he gave a comprehensive insight into the human rights perspective of the pandemic. WATCH VIDEO HERE

UHRC has also issued COVID-19 guidelines to its staff across all its central and regional offices during the lockdown

UHRC further issued a press statement on 25th March 2020 on human rights concerns in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. READ STATEMENT HERE

Radio talk shows on the COVID 19 and the human rights perspective have been held and others are still lined up on the following stations: Radio One, Dembe FM, Bukedde FM, Namirembe FM and Sun FM (Mityana)

UHRC on Tuesday, 14 April 2020 participated in a Webinar titled: "Should Uganda declare a State of Emergency in response to COVID-19?". The webinar was hosted by Bernard Oundo with the following panelists: Prof. Fredrick E. Ssempebwa, Founding and Senior Partner, Katende, Ssempebwa Advocates; Dr. Patricia Achan-Okiria, Commissioner Uganda Human Rights Commission; and Mr. Godber Tumushabe, Associate Director, Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies.

UHRC authored an OPED in New Vision Newspaper by Commissioner Patricia Okiria titled: "Human rights-based effective response to COVID-19 in Uganda" published on 8th April 2020. READ Op-Ed HERE

UHRC Fort Portal regional office has developed a COVID-19 message/ poster and shared it on whatsapp groups, radios and on the UHRC online platforms

There are currently radio spot messages on Elgon radio in Kapchorwa that are being translated into kupsabiny by the Soroti regional office. The spot messages are in respect of limitations in enjoyment of human rights in respect of public interest with specific reference to public health and in particular COVID-19. The notices call upon the public to carry out their responsibilities by abiding by the Government directives in restrictions and other procedures. Urge them to respect rights of people suspected to be infected with COVID-19 and not to discriminate against them or subject them to mob action.  The messages further call upon the law enforcement officers to respect human rights in performance of their duties.

Discussions have been held with Etop Radio to conduct an on line radio talk show in respect of limitation of rights and responsibilities of citizen in respect of COVID-19 pandemic.

Complaints Management

The Commission received complaints during the lock down period through its toll free lines, social media platforms and emails. The complaints so far received relate to the following issues:

1. Complaints against the extension of the quarantine period for those who had been under institutional quarantine by Government

2. Complaints of alleged brutality by law enforcement and security officials whilst enforcing the Presidential directives of lock down and curfew

3. Complaints of alleged lack of access to food during the lock down period

4. Complaints of alleged lack of access to medical care during the lock down period

5. Complaints of violence in homes and heightened family wrangles during the lock down period.

6. Complaints of employees who were stuck at their work places in remote areas as a result of the Presidential directives and could not go back to their homes.

Some of the complaints were referred to the National Task Force on COVID-19 for appropriate management

In addition, the Commission has been making interventions with regard to arrests and detentions around the country, and has on various cases intervened to ensure that suspects on petty offenses are released on police bond in a timely manner, to avoid over crowding in cells.

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TOLL FREE UHRC REGIONAL CONTACTS

UHRC HEAD OFFICE 0800100766

UHRC JINJA REGIONAL OFFICE 0800144201

UHRC FORTPORTAL REGIONAL OFFICE 0800144200

UHRC MBARARA REGIONAL OFFICE 0800144202

UHRC MASAKA REGIONAL OFFICE 0800144203

UHRC CENTRAL REGIONAL OFFICE 0800122444

UHRC GULU REGIONAL OFFICE 0800144166

UHRC HOIMA REGIONAL OFFICE 0800144204

UHRC SOROTI REGIONAL OFFICE 0800144206

UHRC ARUA REGIONAL OFFICE 0800144207

UHRC LIRA FIELD OFFICE 0800144208

UHRC MOROTO REGIONAL OFFICE 0800144212

UHRC KITGUM FIELD OFFICE 0800144214

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Published: April 16, 2020

By Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria

The Government of Uganda announced a 14- day lockdown of the country as part of the measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the national directive, as citizens continue to follow, with increasing apprehension, the spread of the COVID-19 in Uganda and the response of the State to the pandemic.

The COVID-19 and the resulting restrictions on movement has generated considerable anxiety and uncertainty for many Ugandans. The UHRC supports and embraces the measures and have made efforts to ensure continuity as far as possible. Our commitment is driven by the long term goal of ensuring the advancement of the protection of human rights through complaints handling, awareness creation, education and research on human rights issues in the Country.

According to the 1995 Constitution particularly Article 22 on the protection of the right to life in light of the danger that the spread of coronavirus poses to the health, safety and lives of the people of Uganda and thereby threatening the rights to life, health and safety. The transmission of COVID-19 therefore has graver risk to the health and life of vulnerable sections of society including, among others, old people, persons with disabilities, and people with weak immunity due to underlying health conditions.

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Published: April 8, 2020

#Press Statement

The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) is deeply concerned about the effect of COVID-19 on the enjoyment of all fundamental human rights and freedoms including civil, political, economic, social, cultural and solidarity rights. Just as human rights are universal, COVID-19 is now a universal health challenge spread in over 196 countries with devastating consequences on the enjoyment of a wide spectrum of human rights including but not limited to the rights to health, life, work, personal liberty, education as well as the right to freedom of assembly, association, worship and movement.

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Published: March 25, 2020

KAMPALA -As Ugandans prepared to celebrate World Children’s Day, they were rudely shocked to learn that one of the guests at the function died on the way. The guest was none other than the chairman of Uganda Human Rights Commission Medi Ssozi Kaggwa

Kaggwa died this morning after reportedly collapsing while driving to attend the function organized by UNICEF in Kampala. The politician-turned human rights defender was a lawyer, who got re-appointed to head the human rights body in February 2016

Kaggwa, who was first appointed in May 2009, was credited for steering the UHRC to greater heights, which saw the commission being recognized by the United Nation. During his term, UHRC received several awards, including the Best National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) in Africa in 2012 in Banjul.

Kaggwa held responsibilities at various regional and international human rights organizations such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) which makes his re-appointment pertinent in the pursuit of the human rights agenda.

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Published: November 20, 2019