The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) and partner organizations, have dedicated this year’s international Human Rights Day (IHRD) to highlighting human rights issues stemming from environmental misuse.
In the Joint Statement issued on Tuesday (Dec 4) at a joint Press Conference held at UHRC headquarters, the UHRC and partners particularly highlighted a number of environmental disasters like the recent death of over 20 people following a mudslide in Bulambuli District, the flooding along Kapchorwa road that trapped a taxi with passengers leading to the death of UNRA and UPDF marine officials.
“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, people with disabilities and less privileged youths. It is against this background that the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has dedicated this year’s International Human Rights Day (IHRD) to spotlight issues of human rights concern related to environmental degradation and restoration or preservation efforts. As some of you are already aware, the IHRD is the day on which the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which is the foundational framework for all human rights covenants, treaties and other international and national legal frameworks,” reads in part the Joint Statement.
The Statement which was read by the Chairperson Hon. Mariam Wangadya flanked by partners; the CEO of African Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) Mr. Samuel Herbert Nsubuga, Avocates sans frontiers Uganda represented by Ms. Brenda Ataro, Justice Access Point (JAP) represented by Executive Director Mr. Muhammad Ndifuna, Refugee Law Project (RLP), Rights 4Her and AGROREF represented by Executive Director Ambrose Asingizibwe (Statement in Full IHRD 24 Joint Press Statement – 4th December 2024.docx The Media asked about what is being done to tame noise pollution in the city, Pentecostal Pastors who exploit their followers and whether we do not have enough laws to curb environmental degradation and to preserve the environment. They were appropriately answered by the Chairperson, our Director Monitoring and Inspection Ms. Ruth Ssekindi and Mr. Ndifuna who also gave the Luganda version of the Statement.
