BY JULIET KIGONGO
A report on the threats faced by human rights defenders has pinned ordinary members of community as the leading violators of freedoms of people who watch over the rights of others.
The 6th report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Uganda said 28% of complaints recorded were about members of the community, 17% about government officials and 16% about politicians.
The report compiled by the Human Rights Centre Uganda also raises the red flag over the slow investigations of cases of violations against rights defenders, warning that the “slow pace of investigation could be seen as condoning attacks on Human Rights Defenders.
While launching the report Margaret Sekaggya, the center’s Executive Director appealed to parliament to review existing laws that impede the work of human rights defenders and ensure that the legislative framework reflects provisions of the constitution and Uganda’s international commitments to ensure a safe and conducive environment.
The study was carried out in nine districts of Kasese, Mbarara, Lira, Soroti, Gulu, Mbale, Hoima and Kampala with Arua being the most affected.
