The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has begun a fresh assessment of the country’s human rights situation, launching consultations that will feed into its 29th Annual Report on the State of Human Rights and Freedoms in Uganda.
The two-day meeting has brought together representatives from government, civil society, professional bodies and other institutions to share evidence and experiences on human rights issues that continue to affect different sections of society. The discussions are being conducted under the UHRC Directorate of Monitoring and Inspections.
Among the issues being examined are juvenile justice, access to health services, the rights of older persons, the welfare of security guards, air quality, digital rights and food safety. Stakeholders from the Ministries of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Health are participating alongside organisations including Help Age Advocacy Network Uganda, Uganda Medical Association, Federation for Uganda Medical Interns and Africa Green Health Network.
Acting Secretary to the Commission Kamadi Byonabye said the consultations are intended to collect views from different stakeholders before the Commission finalises its assessment. UHRC Commissioner and Editorial Board Chairperson Crispin Kaheru said the Commission cannot independently capture the full picture of Uganda’s human rights situation without listening to people and institutions working directly on the selected issues.
Kaheru said the report will examine the progress made in promoting and protecting human rights, identify areas where gaps remain and highlight measures needed to address those challenges. He also urged contributors to provide evidence and ensure that the final report reflects what Ugandans actually experience in their daily lives.
Commission Member Shifrah Lukwago, who opened the meeting on behalf of UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya, described the consultation process as necessary for producing a credible report. She asked stakeholders to critically examine government responses to human rights concerns, including areas where action has been delayed, while also considering how recommendations from previous UHRC reports can be implemented more effectively.
Juvenile justice was among the subjects placed under discussion, with Senior State Attorney at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Counsel Brian Musota presenting on the situation of children in conflict with the law. Musota noted that Uganda has laws and legal instruments designed to protect children, but said effective implementation remains important in ensuring that those protections are realised in practice.
The working conditions of medical interns also drew attention, with outgoing Federation for Uganda Medical Interns Secretary General Dr Allan Okwir highlighting delayed deployment, inadequate allowances and lengthy working hours. He said some interns work for more than 36 hours without rest and called for greater attention to their welfare and rights. The submissions from the consultation will contribute to the preparation of the UHRC’s 29th Annual Report, alongside views from other sectors on the state of human rights and freedoms in Uganda.
