In line with the commitment of the UN System in Uganda to promoting human rights and interagency coordination and capacity building, and monitoring fulfilment of United Nations’ institutional commitments on human rights and gender equality, the UN Human Rights and Gender Advisory Group (HRGAG) under the leadership of OHCHR, conducted a joint orientation workshop on general human rights principles, gender and SGBV issues, children’s rights, and on the functions of international and regional human rights mechanisms, among other subjects for new members of the Uganda Human Rights Commission. The orientation was part of OHCHR’s engagement with the Uganda Human Rights Commission, to strengthen the capacity of the members of the Commission and its technical staff, to effectively engage with the United Nations in Uganda and with international and regional human rights mechanisms. It took place 14th to 16th December 2021 at Lake Victoria Serena Kigo, Entebbe.
The workshop aimed at identifying key areas of cooperation between the UHRC and respective United Nations Agencies in Uganda and various sessions were facilitated by technical staff of UNICEF, UNWOMEN, UNODC, UNFPA, OHCHR and UNAIDS. The meeting also saw the interventions of two former members of the UHRC who facilitated sessions on ethics and integrity, experience sharing on how to deal with donors, Government and media. Two members of Civil Society Organisations also attended and shared their perspectives on engagement with the UHRC on human rights promotion and protection.
In her remarks, Hon. Mariam Wangadya the Chairperson Uganda Human Rights Commission, expressed the Commission’s appreciation to all key UN partner Agencies for the co-operation and financial support extended to the Commission. She specifically thanked the UN Human Rights Office Country Representative for the financial support offered to the Commission and for the coordination of UN efforts toward the institution.
In his remarks, Ambassador Godfery Kwoba, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked UN Human Rights for organizing the workshop and for all the support granted to the Commission to enable them to monitor the human rights situation in Uganda. He noted challenges faced by Government while upholding human rights, as; limited capacities among enforcement officers, limited resources due to competing Government development areas, and cultural practices among others. He pledged to work closely with UN agencies and UHRC to implement reporting obligations on International treaties and conventions to enhance the face of Uganda’s human rights abroad through public diplomacy.
A representative of the Attorney General Ms. Allen Muchana highlighted that human rights are universal and therefore the state must uphold, protect all human rights hence the existence of the partnership of the office of the AG with the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). She added that the AG is aware of the challenges reported by UHRC which the AG pledged to solve progressively in order to help the Commission realize its mandate.