Blog

HRAPF Publishes Abortion Research Brief

In 2016, HRAPF published a research report on the enforcement of criminal abortion laws in Uganda, and how such implementation affects the rights of women and health workers. The research was conducted in the districts of Kampala and Kitgum and it found out that indeed, abortion laws are being implemented. It also found that as expected, the manner in which these laws are implemented grossly violates the rights of...

Regulations to the NGO Act of 2016 fails to address HRAPF’s concerns about the Act

Regulations to the Non-Governmental Organisations Act, 2016, made by the Minister responsible for internal affairs in consultation with the NGO Bureau, were gazetted in May 2017. These regulations deal with the implementation of various provisions of the Act, including the registration and dissolution of self-regulatory bodies; the submission of annual returns to the Bureau and operational permission from District NGO Monitoring Committees and Local Governments. There are a number...

HRAPF Executive Director nominated for the EU Human Rights Defenders Award 2017

HRAPF’s Executive Director, mr. Adrian Jjuuko, was one of five finalists shortlisted for the annual European Union Human rights Defenders Award for 2017. The award is granted by the EU and its Member States in Uganda, and Norway to recognise the achievements of Human Rights Defenders in Uganda. For the past six years, an individual eligible for the EU Human Rights Defender Award is nominated by another individual or...

US District Court grants summary judgement in Scott Lively case

The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts has allowed defendant Scott Lively’s motion to dismiss the case against him on the basis that the Court’s jurisdiction could not be established. The case was instituted by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS). SMUG sought monetary damages and injunctive relief on the basis of the crimes against humanity committed by Lively in Uganda. Lively,...

HRAPF releases statement on the prosecution of Dr. Stella Nyanzi for social media statements about President Museveni

HRAPF has released a statement on the prosecution of Dr. Stella Nyanzi  for the charges of cyber harassment and offensive communications under the Computer Misuse Act, 2011. HRAPF is of the view that the Act is being misused to deal with behaviour regarded as morally inappropriate by the majority of society. The organisation is also of the view that the facts of Dr. Nyanzi’s case do not support a...

Uganda rejects UPR recommendations for an improved legislative environment for LGBTI persons; amendments to NGO Act

Addendum to Final Report UPR UgandaIn November 2016, Uganda was subjected to its second review under the Universal Peer Review (UPR) Mechanism. The UPR was created in 2006 and operates under the auspices of the UN Human Rights Council. The UPR creates an opportunity for the human rights records of each of the 193 UN member states to be reviewed by the other member states. During this latest review,...

HRAPF makes joint statement with ISHR at 34th Session of Human Rights Council

Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum, along with International Service for Human Rights, have made a statement at the 34th session of the Human Rights Council held in Geneva from 27 February to 24 March 2017. The organisations urge Uganda to repeal domestic laws which limit the rights of human rights defenders. ISHR HRAPF Joint Statement at 34th Session of Human Rights Council

Human Rights Council extends mandates of Special Rapporteurs on Minority Issues and Human Rights Defenders

The Human Rights Council of the United Nations has adopted resolutions on 23 March 2017 extending the mandates of the Special Rapporteurs on Minority Issues as well as Human Rights Defenders. The continued work of these Special Rapporteurs for the next three years is set to advance the rights of minority groups as well as the protection of human rights defenders on a global level. Mandate of Special Rapporteur on Situation...

Opinion: We need to open up about abortion instead of gagging discussions

The abortion question has recently made headlines with the Executive Order released by the new United States President prohibiting any aid from the US going to organisations, which provide services or even information on abortion. This is the ‘global gag-rule’ which will have devastating consequences for women and girls in lower and middle income countries across the globe, including Uganda, as funding for organisations which provide family planning services...

HRAPF releases analysis of the Human Rights Enforcement Bill, 2015

HRAPF has made an analysis of The Human Rights Enforcement Bill, 2015. The Bill was published in the Uganda Gazette on 1 October 2015 as Bill No 26 of 2015. The Bill is sponsored by the Human Rights Committee of Parliament and its main objective is to give effect to Article 50(4) of the Constitution by providing for the procedure of enforcing human rights under Chapter Four of the...