The European Union (EU) delegation and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Uganda and South Sudan (KAS) have initiated the ‘Human Rights Our Concern’ project in a joint effort to bolster human rights and freedoms in Uganda. Aimed at enhancing reporting and evidence-based advocacy, this 28-month project, running from October 2023 to January 2026, will operate in 14 districts across Uganda, including Arua, Gulu, Mbale, Kasese, Wakiso, and Kampala.
At the launch event in Kampala on Wednesday, Mr. Gilbert Cathal, the Programmes Officer with the EU delegation, highlighted the €840,000 (Shs3.2 billion) co-financing commitment from both KAS and the EU. The project’s primary focus is to empower human rights defenders, particularly civil society organizations and journalists, to hold duty bearers accountable in cases of human rights violations.
The consortium leading the project includes KAS, with support from Chapter Four Uganda, a civil liberties organization, and the African Institute for Investigative Journalism. Mr. Cathal emphasized that the initiative aims to address capacity gaps among human rights defenders and strengthen their ability to monitor, document, and report on incidents of human rights abuses.
Ms. Anna Reismann, the Country Representative of KAS Uganda and South Sudan, expressed gratitude to the EU delegation for co-financing the project. She underlined the project’s significance in enhancing the evidence base on the state of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Uganda. The initiative also seeks to foster collaboration between public institutions, duty bearers, and citizens in human rights advocacy for accountability and reforms.
While acknowledging existing legal frameworks protecting human rights in Uganda, Reismann noted a growing concern about increased human rights violations. She pointed out challenges in successful prosecutions due to limited documentation and reporting, hindering advocacy efforts. The project aims to bridge these gaps, facilitating accountability for human rights violations.
Mr. Solomon Serwanja, the executive director of the African Institute for Investigative Journalism, decried numerous human rights violations during elections. He emphasized that journalists, through the project, will play a crucial role in holding perpetrators of such violations accountable.
Mr. Nicholas Opiyo, team lead at Chapter Four Uganda, outlined their intention to leverage the project for advocating the rights of human rights defenders. The collaborative efforts of the EU and KAS signify a commitment to address pressing human rights concerns in Uganda, fostering a more accountable and rights-respecting society.
