The Uganda human Rights Commission has hosted a delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho who are in the Country on a 5-day benchmarking visit. The delegation of seven members jetted into the Country on 6th March 2023 to pay a visit to several government agencies and departments including UHRC which hosted them yesterday March 7. The Delegation will stay in the Country up to Friday March 10th 2023.
“We are here to share experiences and good practices on how security institutions in Uganda have been able to strengthen human rights in the security sector and the functioning of human rights departments in the military, police and prisons. We wish to find out how this institution (UHRC) interfaces with the security sector players on human rights training as well as on juvenile justice; the rights of women and the civil society engagement with security sector players,” Col. C.D Makhetha the Defense Force Inspector General, who was also head of the delegation, stated.
The delegation of seven was composed of three participants from the Lesotho Defense Force; that is, Col. Makhetha, Brig. Gen. Kolisang also head of training in Lesotho Defense Forces and Col. Benjamin Ndloleni. The others were; two officers from the Lesotho Mounted Police Service; SSP Tholoana and SSP. Kiyesa; one from the Lesotho Correctional Service C.O Sello also the legal officer plus Mr. Michael Ngabirano the UN Human Rights Advisor – Lesotho.
The UHRC Chairperson Ms. Mariam Wangadya in her welcome remarks informed the delegation that the Commission is a Constitutional body established with a wide mandate under article 52(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. She then gave members of the Commission and Directors to take their turn in answering queries from the visitors. The Commissioners present were; Hon. Simeo Muwanga Nsubuga, Hon. Lamex Omara Apita and Hon. Crispin Kaheru.
The Secretary to the Commission Ms. Margaret Ejang also attended the meeting plus Directors; Byonabye Kamadi of Research, Education and Documentation who particularly informed the delegation that the UN has not declared homosexuality/LGBTQ as a human right “but even if it did so, Uganda or any other African Country will still reserve a right either to ratify or reject such resolution.” The other directors were; Ms. Ruth Ssekindi of Monitoring and Inspection, Ida Nakiganda of Complaints, Investigation and Legal Services, Sarah Nakhumitsa of Regional Services and Christopher Turigye of Finance and Administration. The meeting which started at around 10:30am ended at around 2:00pm with a group photo and lunch.
