The Commemoration of this year’s International Human Rights Day (IHRD) by the Uganda Human Rights Day (IHRD) and partners has ended with a firm statement from the Office of the Prime Minister about government’s commitment to protect the Environment. While making her remarks during the High-Leve Multi-stakeholder National Dialogue organised to crown commemorative activities, the Chief Guest Rt. Hon. Third Deputy Prime Minister Hajat Rukia Isanga Nakadama revealed how government is doing its best to preserve the environment and avert any crisis from natural calamities.
“Government is working towards clean energy so as to protect the trees from being cut down for charcoal and firewood. As I speak, there are no taxes on Solar Panels and very soon Gas for cooking will be cheaper to provide alternative source of fuel,” she said during this main event held at Golf Course Hotel – Kampala.
She however said that institutions charged with the protection of environment like the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) have not done enough to prevent people from encroaching on water bodies and other protected areas. She attributed this to the emotive nature of the subject and sometimes political interference.
On her part, Chairperson Hon. Mariam Wangadya used the day to call upon women rights activists and institutions to stop being silent when women in leadership are being demeaned.
“I am expressing my disappointment about the silence of women rights organizations and human rights organizations in general and professional bodies tow which we belong, when women leaders are attacked, they are humiliated, insulted and vulgarised without any comment from them. We want to hear messages of solidarity for women in leadership,” she said.
She appealed to all people in Uganda to avoid settling in wetlands because it is a danger to them and society in general. She urged everyone to love the environment, plant trees and come up with alternative source of fuel other than cutting down trees and other vegetation cover.
The National theme for the commemoration is: Reducing inequalities in the enforcement of environmental rights and in the mitigation of the impact of environmental degradation in Uganda.
Other partners who made speeches included Refugee Law Project who through their Director Dr. Ojara De-Saxone Pius said: Environmental rights are integral to human dignity and survival, yet they remain among the least understood and enforced rights in Uganda.
“This year’s theme calls for a critical reflection on the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on vulnerable populations, particularly refugees, who often bear the brunt of discriminatory practices and misplaced blame. Refugees in Uganda, like all residents, rely on the environment for survival,” he said.
Other speakers included a representative of the Country Director Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) in Uganda and we also receive a Kaynote address from the Executive Director ACODE – an environmental rights civil society. After the speeches a panel composed of an environmental victim/activist from Friends of Zoka, UHRC, ASF, KCCA, NEMA and Environmental police, all exchanged views on how the environment should best be protected. There was also an audio-visual exhibition by RLP depicting the impact of environmental degradation prior to the panel discussion.
The function was attended by the Deputy EU Ambassador in Uganda, the Ambassador of Japan, representatives of security agencies, political parties, inter-religious council among others. Key partners’ contribution include; ASF that secured the venue (conference package), RLP secured a Television Talk show and a Newspaper Supplement, ACTV supported regional Dialogues in Central, Moroto, Gulu and Radio Talk shows, JAP also supported Radio Talk Shows within the central region and produced Podcasts for the online audience. The others included AGROREF, ULS & Rights 4Her who support in securing panellists and other technical inputs.
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