KAMPALA– Uganda Human Rights commission (UHRC) with partners have finalized plans to celebrate the 2024 International Human Rights Day (IHRD), focusing on spotlighting issues of human rights concern related to environmental degradation and restoration or preservation efforts.
The celebrations will be held on 10th December 2024 , under a theme: “Our rights, our future, right now”
“This year, Uganda has witnessed several environmental disasters including the landslides that happened in Bulambuli a few days ago resulting into several deaths, destruction of property and displacement of people. In addition, in the course of executing evictions from wetlands inequalities emerge especially among vulnerable groups like women, Children and people with disabilities .It Is against this background that the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has dedicated this year’s celebrations to spotlight issues of human rights concern related to the environment.” Revealed Mariam Wangadya, Chairperson UHRC on addressing journalists in Kampala.
She also pointed out that if recent, there has been intermittent floods on several roads leading into Kampala city center causing heavy traffic jam. “These floods have been attributed to encroachment on city wetlands, poor road construction methods and improper planning of settlements within Kampala city.”
Wangadya also noted that it’s unfortunate that despite of the fact the Uganda has in place number of laws and legislations aimed at conserving the environment, the enforcement agencies have neglected their roles and responsibilities. “Protection of environment is every one’s responsibility.”
Herbert Samuel Nsubuga, the Executive Director of African Center for Treatment of Torture Victims (ACTV) , in this joint press briefing noted that the theme specifically enunciates everyone’s role in the protection and promotion of the inalienable rights to which we are all entitled to by virtue of being human, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinions.
“Last year as we marked 75 years of the UDHR, we reflected on Uganda’s Human Rights Journey since 10th December 1948 and Access to Justice for Women in Uganda. The current Deputy Chief Justice Hon. Richard Buteera made a moving Keynote address tracing Uganda’s Human rights Journey since.”
Ruth Ssekindi, Director Monitoring and Inspection at UHRC , on matters concerning deforestation especially In Zoka Forest in West Nile , noted that their study pinned people involved in cutting down of trees in this forest as Individuals with impunity of the highest order.
‘Its unfortunate that , we have depleted 80 percent of the Forest cover that Uganda had in 1986. This has greatly affected wetlands as well as lakes.”
The Commission and partners will hold a series of dialogues/barazas at Regional Office level, a half-day high-level multi-stakeholder Public dialogue (main event) at Golf Course hotel in Kampala on 10th December 2024.
ACTV will hold regional barazas or dialogues in Kiteezi for Central Region , Akwang and Namukoora sub counties in Kitgum and in Kaabong Town council as well as host radio talk shows which will feed into the discourse at the main event.
