Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi highlighted Uganda’s commitment to protecting the human rights of its people in his speech at the 77th Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania.
Kafuuzi emphasized Uganda’s dedication to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Maputo Protocol, underscoring the nation’s legal obligation to uphold its principles. He tackled various human rights concerns and provided responses to the Commission’s raised issues.
He acknowledged the regrettable incidents of November 2020 and asserted the government’s commitment to conducting thorough investigations.
According to the Deputy Attorney General, out of the 1,088 suspects arrested during and after the riots, 949 had faced the court, with 333 convictions, 128 discharges, and the rest going through due process.
“The process of compensating the innocent victims of the violence is underway. A number of compensation claims have been presented to the Attorney General’s office by families of the victims, and the office has initiated the compensation process,” he said.
He further underlined the government’s determination to investigate and account for every life lost during these events. Kafuuzi also addressed enforced disappearances, noting that individuals alleging such incidents have the right to apply to a court for a writ of habeas corpus.
He mentioned that many cases investigated by the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Committee of Parliament lacked merit, as most alleged victims were either arrested for criminal offences or did not provide sufficient evidence to support their claims.
He added, “The credibility of these allegations, along with the government’s insistence on obtaining particulars of alleged victims of enforced disappearance, has not yielded results.”
Kafuuzi highlighted Uganda’s efforts to support refugees, making it the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. He emphasized the government’s commitment to refugee protection through international legal instruments and national legislation.
Additionally, he discussed initiatives to address gender-based violence, promote women’s participation in leadership, eliminate discriminatory stereotypes, and protect the rights of all Ugandans.
The Deputy Attorney General concluded by addressing challenges related to climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, resource constraints, and the impact of technology on human rights. He acknowledged the dual nature of technological advancements.
Despite these achievements, Kafuuzi informed the Commission about stumbling blocks faced by Uganda, particularly inadequate funding for key sectors and institutions responsible for implementing human rights standards. He attributed this to limited resources, exacerbated by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kafuuzi’s report, the sixth of its kind presented to the commission, served as a follow-up to the 2015 report and covered both accomplishments and challenges in upholding human rights standards from 2013 to 2022.
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