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, Uganda received recommendations from 13 Members States to decriminalise same-sex conduct and to take measures to ensure that LGBTI persons do not face violence and discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation. All recommendations relating to an improved legislative environment for LGBTI persons were rejected.
Uganda also received recommendations from five Member States, including Canada, Germany and Switzerland, to amend the newly enacted Non-Governmental Organisations Act, 2016 which restricts the freedom of association of civil society organisations. Uganda insisted that the Act is not unconstitutional and rejected the recommendations for reform.
See below the full report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, which has been released to the public in April 2017, as well as the addendum reflecting Uganda’s position on pending recommendations from Member States.
