Uganda’s state minister for Agriculture, Fredrick Bwino Kyakulaga has described the National Resistance movement (NRM) government and President Yoweri Museveni in particular as the biggest promoter and protector of human rights.
Kyakulaga a retired Major General, says that defending Human Rights was the reason Museveni went to the bush in the 1980s.
He reminded Ugandan that it was after President Museveni and the NRM took power that the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) was established to address the human rights related issues.
Kyakulaga made the remarks while representing the Third Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, Rukia Isanga Nakadama at the annual celebration of the international human rights defenders (HRDs) day organized by the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda (NCHRD-U) at Busoga Square in Jinja city.
The two-day event is emphasizing the protection and promotion of HRDs and their duties by both state and non-state actors.
The minister reminded Ugandans that there are several Articles in our 1995 constitution that defend and protect human rights.
“The 1995 constitution has several Articles and Clauses that talk about human rights, human rights promoters and defenders and penalties against perpetrators,” said Kyakulaga.
“The constitution also permits and recognizes human rights organizations and individuals raising awareness, fighting and advocating for human rights.”
The minister challenged human rights defenders to collaborate with government in promoting and protecting human rights in the county.
However, according to Mr. Robert Kirenga, the Executive Director of NCHRD-U network housing over 200 human rights organizations across the country, security operatives are the most violators of human rights in Uganda despite the stipulated laws that govern the execution of duties of men armed forces. He cites Uganda Polices officers who have severally been filmed torturing individuals under different circumstances and occasions.
“We have enough laws that protect human rights in Uganda but their implementation remains futile while some people in society are ignorant about their individual right,” He noted.
The celebration featured a number of proactive activities including a walk flagged off by Hon. Bwino at Square, marching along the streets Jinja city center. On addition to planting trees to conserve the environment for climate change, the HRDs and other individuals donated blood to empower health facilities with relevant treatment equipment.
Hon. Bwino acknowledges that; “The activities carried out speaks volumes in this cause of fighting for human rights as the need to fight for climate change is really paramount.“
Human rights protection in Uganda remains controversial with government authorities reportedly failing to convince opposition politicians and other local individuals on the alleged torture and continued arrests of opposition leaders and supporters especially diehards of National Unity Platform (NUP).
