The Uganda Human Rights Commission through some of its Regional offices has established a number of Human Rights and Peace Clubs (HRPC) in different schools across the Country. One of the UHRC Regional Heads Ms Harriet Kajobe of Fort Portal Regional office confirmed yesterday that at least 10 HRPCs were established within her regional office alone.
The Peace Clubs were established in secondary schools within the districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kyegegwa and Kitagwenda,” she said.
She said the UHRC team also handed over Information Communications and Education (IEC) materials to the school management for future use and continuous promotion of civic education in the selected schools.
The other clubs were established by our Gulu Regional office. The head of Gulu Regional Office Ms. Phiona Abalo Opoka said the clubs were established in the Field offices of Pader and Kitgum within the Gulu Regional Office.
“One of the Clubs was established at Lagwai Seed Secondary school in Pader district. The students were first given knowledge in basic concept of human rights, children’s rights, duties and responsibilities of a citizen before they were guided on how to establish Human Rights and Peace Clubs in their school,” she said.
She said our team from Pader Field office that conducted this civic education was led by Ms. Opiru Teddy.
For Kitgum Field Office, our team led by Mr. Charles Opio established another HRPC at Isoke S.S within Kitgum district after conducting civic/human rights education. Both Gulu and Fort Portal are implementing a project in their respective areas supported by the Germany Agency for International Corporation (GIZ).
The establishment of the HRPC is part of the wider UHRC mandate under Article 52 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda in which the Commission is required to formulate, implement and oversee programmes intended to inculcate in the citizens of Uganda awareness of their civic responsibilities and an appreciation of their rights and obligations as free people.
The overall objective of these clubs is to increase human rights awareness and voluntary action in different parts of the country with a target of training secondary school teachers and students in human rights.
