Jinja: The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda (NCHRD-U) is set to mark International Human Rights Defenders Day 2023 on December 7 and 8 in Eastern Jinja city. The event, themed “Reinforcing the protection and promotion of HRDs and their work,” aims to celebrate, empower, and raise awareness about the pivotal role played by human rights defenders (HRDs) in Uganda and beyond.
Mr. Robert Kirenga, the Executive Director of NCHRD-U, highlighted the significant roles of HRDs in safeguarding and promoting fundamental rights and freedoms for all individuals during a press conference at Jinja City Hall on Monday. He called on states to support the work of HRDs, address their challenges, and ensure their protection from harm while collecting cases of human rights violations.
The commemoration will feature various activities, including tree planting, blood donation, a walk, and cancer screening at Jinja’s Busoga Square. Participants will include representatives from states and non-state actors, development partners, individual HRDs, and the general public.
“As we commemorate this International Human Rights Defenders Day, let us collectively commit to creating an enabling environment where HRDs can protect and promote human rights without fear. By standing in solidarity, we can create a world where the rights and dignity of every HRD are respected and protected,” emphasized Mr. Kirenga.
He also stressed the importance of respecting human rights, as outlined in Article 38 of the 1995 Uganda constitution, which grants every Ugandan the right to participate in government affairs individually or through representatives. The law also allows participation in peaceful activities to influence government policies through civic organizations.
Established in 2013, NCHRD-U is a network of organizations and individuals working together to advocate for a secure environment for HRDs. With over 200 civil societies, the network collaborates with national, regional, and international entities to promote legislative and policy changes, fostering collective responses to threats against HRDs.
Ms. Betty Enangu, the head of Uganda Human Rights Commission in Busoga and Bukedi sub-regions, expressed optimism that HRDs are committed to fighting for the rights of individuals in their respective societies. She noted the low number of human rights abuse cases registered in Busoga region this year, attributing it to the lack of awareness about the availability of human rights commissions among some locals.
