RADIO TALK SHOW ON THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN KIGEZI SUB REGION

Human Rights are NATURAL ENTITLEMENTS which accrue/belong to EVERYONE by virtue/reason of being HUMAN

A human being is a man, woman, child [or creature] of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished from other animals by superior mental development, power of articulate speech, and upright stance. Every time we think about human rights, we ought to think about where we can easily find them…

Looking at the Generations of Human Rights, FIRST GENERATION include Civil and Political Rights meant to Check excesses of the State for instance; Right to:

Vote

Personal liberty

Self determination

Freedom of association

Freedom of Expression

Participate in the affairs of one’s government

Focus areas that LOSCO in partnership with other Human Rights Organisations and Agencies are among others including; Capacity building, Research and documentation, Advocacy and networking, Legal aid and Human Rights Education.

The key aspects of the human rights context in Uganda today are among others;

1.       Fragile/dynamic

2.       Cases of human rights violations e.g. torture, unlawful arrests, impunity, SGBV and these continue to escalate during the times of Political heat and also in the context of COVID-19

About the region-specific context, the human rights situation in Kigezi sub region; they don’t differ much from the National context of Fragility and also the Cases of human rights violations e.g. torture, unlawful arrests, impunity, SGBV continue to increase. The cases of Women torturing men in silence and rampant murders are a clear manifestation of the increased lack of control at Household level.

Human rights defenders are doing quite so much work but violations continue to be witnessed because of the challenges that human rights defenders encounter in the course of their work in Kigezi sub region which include;

1.       Delayed justice

2.       Financial constraints

3.       Ignorance of some human rights defenders (State and non-state) and community members regarding concepts and underlying principles

4.       Wide scope of work and high expectations from beneficiaries

5.       Political interference

However, at the moment LOSCO with other human rights defenders are undertaking some steps in an effort to address the challenges and continue promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms which among others are;

·         Dialogue meetings between human rights defenders in civil society and those in State institutions to discuss emerging issues

·         Networking and collaboration amongst human rights defenders to address human rights issues

·         Community dialogues and engagements and Radio Talkshows

·         Capacity building and knowledge enhancement sessions/workshops

·         Advocacy initiatives such as radio talk shows and social media campaigns

·         Provision of legal aid and referral services

·         Fundraising initiatives

There are identified opportunities and suggested recommendations available for LOSCO and human rights defenders in Uganda as they continue with their work

·         Taking advantage of growing Information Technology

·         Continued engagement and collaboration where there is political will

·         Enhancing research and evidence based reporting and follow up of cases of human rights abuses and violations

·         Resource mobilization for sustainability/continuity

In case of issues with Human Rights Defenders, one go and report cases of violation of their rights or when their security and safety is threatened.

·         Uganda Police Force (know the hierarchy of offices)

·         Uganda Human Rights Commission

·         Community and local leadership e.g. LC1 Chairpersons

·         Civil Society e.g. National level, Regional level and Grass-root level