Category: ADVOCACY PROGRAM

On November 29, 2024, the Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDNU) launched a pivotal report documenting violence against women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in Uganda between 2020 and 2024. The launch, commemorating the International Day for WHRDs, highlighted the urgent need for protection in an environment where WHRDs face relentless attacks for their advocacy work. The report, built on extensive research and real-life experiences, unveils the stark reality of these defenders who tirelessly fight for human rights amid patriarchal violence and societal norms that often undermine their work.

The findings reveal a staggering 260 documented attacks on WHRDs, with the majority targeting individual defenders. These violations range from physical and emotional harm to professional discreditation and harassment, often leading to deep-rooted fear and self-censorship among defenders. Notably, community members were identified as the primary perpetrators, contradicting the expectation that communities would offer safety.

The report emphasizes the profound toll these attacks take, not only on the physical well-being of WHRDs but also on their mental health and professional reputation. Yet, it also underscores their resilience, highlighting the invaluable role they play in promoting democracy, justice, and peace in Uganda.

Through this report, WHRDNU calls for stronger protection mechanisms, urging government bodies, civil society organizations, and development partners to embrace its recommendations. It is critical that these stakeholders enhance advocacy efforts, integrate gender-sensitive protection strategies, and offer flexible, sustained funding for WHRDs to continue their work fearlessly. The report also highlights the need for gender-based analysis in addressing violence and for recognizing the role of digital spaces as both a tool of empowerment and a platform for abuse.

As we reflect on the findings of this ground-breaking report, it is clear that the path to justice for WHRDs requires collective action. The report serves as a reminder of the urgent need to prioritize the safety and well-being of those who defend human rights, ensuring that no sister is left behind in the fight for a just and equal society.

On 19th July 2024, a virtual regional coordination meeting brought together Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) from the Albertine region to discuss ongoing challenges, share strategies, and strengthen collaboration. While only a portion of the 26 invited participants were able to attend, the meeting highlighted critical issues impacting the work of WHRDs in the region.

The gathering began with a warm welcome and a call to active participation. Attendees shared their recent experiences, including supporting victims of domestic violence, reporting financial exploitation, and advocating for the rights of marginalized groups. Despite facing threats and intimidation, such as harassment from local authorities and male counterparts, the WHRDs expressed determination in their efforts.

Participants discussed best practices, emphasizing the importance of sensitizing community leaders about the vital role WHRDs play. Additionally, they stressed the need for capacity-building to enhance their ability to navigate these challenges. Collaboration and communication were identified as key to avoiding isolation and ensuring collective action.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to gather and report incidents of attacks and threats faced by WHRDs in the region, fostering a stronger network for collective protection. Participants were encouraged to continue sharing insights and supporting one another in their ongoing work to defend women’s rights. This meeting underscored the unwavering resilience of WHRDs in the Albertine region, and the ongoing need for solidarity, protection, and empowerment

On 16th July 2024, women human rights defenders (WHRDs) from the Busoga region gathered for a virtual coordination meeting to share their experiences, discuss the challenges they face, and explore strategies to enhance their human rights work. Organized by WHRDN-U, the meeting emphasized the importance of building solidarity and fostering a safe environment for defenders across districts.

During the meeting, participants provided updates on their efforts to promote children’s rights, support victims of domestic violence, and fight against land grabbing and sexual harassment. From conducting sensitization campaigns to offering legal assistance, these WHRDs continue to demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity.

However, their work is not without risks. Attendees highlighted various threats, including death threats, intimidation, and verbal attacks. Despite these challenges, the group remains committed to advancing human rights and improving the safety of their communities. They shared best practices, such as organizing regular coordination meetings, resource mobilization, and self-care sessions to ensure their well-being.

In the spirit of mutual support, action points were established, including identifying new WHRDs in their districts and collaborating on outreach activities. This collective effort is crucial for creating a more coordinated and protected network of women defenders in the region.

WHRDN-U continues to be a vital platform for providing protection, capacity building, and networking opportunities, helping to empower women human rights defenders to overcome the unique challenges they face. As they move forward, the unwavering solidarity of the Busoga WHRDs remains a beacon of hope for their communities and a powerful force in the fight for justice.

On 12 July 2024,  Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) from across Uganda convened for a crucial virtual meeting aimed at strengthening solidarity, addressing challenges, and enhancing strategies for the protection of WHRDs. Despite an invitation to 22 participants, 14 WHRDs actively engaged in the session, sharing updates, exchanging best practices, and setting action points for future collaboration.

Highlights of the Meeting

1. Updates from WHRDs
Participants shared inspiring stories of resilience and impact. WHRDs reported on interventions such as supporting survivors of gender-based violence, rescuing teenage girls from forced marriage, and facilitating the return of children to their families. Others provided legal support for sex workers and followed up on justice for victims of violence. These updates showcased the unwavering commitment of WHRDs to uphold human rights in their communities, often at great personal risk.

2. Current Challenges and Threats
The meeting highlighted the dangers WHRDs face in their work. Participants reported threats from community members, police harassment, and financial constraints that hinder their ability to follow up on cases. For instance, one WHRD faced community backlash for intervening in a case of a family whose house was set on fire, while another experienced hostility from police while following up on cases. The safety and well-being of WHRDs remain a significant concern that requires collective action and support.

3. Best Practices and Strategies
Participants shared strategies to enhance the protection of WHRDs. Suggestions included fostering collaboration with local authorities and police, documenting human rights achievements, and organizing support meetings to strengthen solidarity among WHRDs. Building strong relationships with duty bearers was emphasized as a critical approach to mitigating risks and threats.

4. Action Points and Next Steps
The WHRDs identified key action points to sustain momentum and strengthen protection. Notably, they committed to organizing an exchange visit with a female journalist to understand the challenges faced by women in media and build synergies. Additionally, they plan to engage with senior gender officers to discuss protection strategies and establish working relationships for future collaboration.Meeting minutes for virtual regional coordination meeting for Eastern regional WHRDs.

The Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U) recently convened a consultative meeting with nine Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) advocating for the rights of sex workers. The half-day session provided a safe space for defenders to share experiences, discuss the impact of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, and develop strategies to protect themselves and their communities from increasing attacks and threats.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

1. Welcome Remarks
   
   – WHRDN-U leadership emphasized the importance of reporting violations to ensure timely protection and support. The network has committed to providing legal aid, relocation support, and capacity-building initiatives for WHRDs.
   
2. Updates on Activism Work
   
   – WHRDs shared their ongoing efforts, such as legal support for detained sex workers, community-based human rights awareness, and providing educational support for children of sex workers.
   
   – Participants also noted the importance of building working relationships with key government stakeholders, including the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission.
3. Challenges and Violations Faced by SWRDs
   
   – Physical Threats and Violence: Reports of femicide, physical assaults, and threats against family members.
   – Arrests and Detentions: SWRDs face wrongful accusations, with some experiencing sexual abuse while in detention.
   – Public Hostility and Hate Speech: Defenders endure verbal attacks from community members, cultural, religious, and government leaders.
   – Raids on Homes and Offices: Police and local authorities conduct raids on SWRDs’ homes and offices, disrupting their work.
   – De-registration and Closure Threats: Offices of SWRDs’ organizations face threats of deregistration and forced closure.
   
4. Testimonies of Resilience
   – Participants shared personal stories, including harassment and threats from law enforcement and online defamation. Despite these challenges, they continue their advocacy for sex workers’ rights.
   
5. Success Stories
   – SWRDs reported positive community impacts, such as supporting detained sex workers with legal aid, ensuring access to education for children of sex workers, and fostering human rights dialogue at community levels.
   
6. Challenges Identified
   – A significant challenge identified was the reluctance of defenders to report cases of threats and attacks, which limits WHRDN-U’s ability to offer timely protection and support.

Recommendations for Strengthening Protection of SWRDs

1. Capacity Building and Networking
   • Strengthen capacity-building initiatives and create networking opportunities for SWRDs to share strategies for movement-building and collective protection.
2. Emergency Response and Protection Support
   • Provide emergency support to SWRDs targeted by hate speech, defamation, raids, and arrests, while also enhancing the security of their offices.
3. Wellness and Self-Care Spaces
   • Establish physical spaces where SWRDs can access wellness and self-care sessions to strengthen their mental and emotional resilience.
4. Visibility and Advocacy
   • Enhance the visibility of violations faced by SWRDs to raise awareness, mobilize support, and advocate for policy reforms.

The consultative meeting highlighted the urgent need for continuous support to SWRDs, who face intensified risks under Uganda’s current legal environment. By addressing the challenges and strengthening protection mechanisms for SWRDs, Uganda can create a safer and more inclusive society that upholds the rights and dignity of all its people.

In a recent regional coordination and network-building meeting, 20 women human rights defenders (WHRDs) from West Nile gathered to enhance their ability to identify and mitigate threats in their vital work. The meeting, organized by the Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U), focused on equipping participants with essential knowledge to safeguard their rights and security both online and offline.

The women discussed various challenges they face in their advocacy work, ranging from physical threats like office raids and unlawful arrests to online dangers, including cyberbullying, threats, and online surveillance. Through engaging discussions, they identified critical security measures, such as stronger office security, digital tools for privacy protection, and strategies to secure personal and professional information.

The Uganda Human Rights Commission pledged to strengthen its collaboration with WHRDs in the region, offering future training opportunities to support their work. The WHRDN-U also emphasized the importance of coordination among WHRDs, ensuring mutual support in the face of common challenges. Despite the setbacks, the women committed to enhancing their solidarity and creating stronger networks for collective protection.

Looking ahead, the WHRDN-U will continue to support the West Nile WHRDs with capacity-building, digital security training, and advocacy engagements with policy makers. By reinforcing self-care practices and emergency response services, the network aims to ensure that these women can continue their critical work with confidence and security.

As we reflect on these efforts, it is clear that the protection of women human rights defenders is paramount for the advancement of justice and equality. Their resilience and commitment to human rights remain an inspiration for all.

In a significant step towards strengthening the protection of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in Uganda, a regional coordination meeting was held in January 2024 at Belmont Villa Hotel, Mbale. The gathering brought together 15 courageous women from across the Bukedi sub-region, all united by their commitment to advocating for human rights, despite the numerous threats they face due to their gender and activism.

The meeting provided a platform for these defenders to share their experiences, learn vital skills in documenting attacks, and strategize on enhancing their safety. The participants—facing risks such as online harassment, physical assault, and intimidation—discussed the challenges they endure and the urgent need for a unified response to safeguard their work.

The meeting’s success lies in its ability to raise awareness about the unique and intersectional struggles faced by marginalized WHRDs, especially those from Key population  communities or with disabilities. It also focused on the contributions of defenders who are tirelessly working against issues like gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, and land grabbing, yet often go unrecognized.

With solidarity and a strong commitment to collective action, the WHRDs present outlined strategies for building a robust regional network. They agreed on the importance of collaboration, confidentiality, and sustained communication to address human rights violations, offering a safe space for their voices to be heard.

This meeting was a pivotal moment for women defenders in the Bukedi region, who now have an empowered network of support. As these WHRDs continue their crucial work, they are committed to identifying new allies, expanding their efforts, and fostering an environment where their safety is prioritized, and their contributions are celebrated.

The way forward is clear: by identifying and supporting new WHRDs, and sharing best practices across the region, these defenders will continue to build a safer, more just society for all.

WHRDs play a vital role in promoting human rights, equality, and social justice across Uganda. However, they continue to face significant threats, discrimination, and violations of their rights. A recent interactive dialogue facilitated by Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U) with the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) shed light on these pressing issues and explored pathways for stronger protection mechanisms.

On April 16, 2024, 06 WHRDs representing diverse social movements and regions across Uganda, engaged in a dialogue with the EOC at its offices in Kampala. The meeting provided a platform for WHRDs to share their lives experiences and highlight the urgent challenges they face. Their testimonies revealed patterns of threats, harassment, and discrimination, underscoring the need for strengthened support and collaboration with government institutions.

Lived Realities and Urgent Challenges. One WHRD shared her experiences of being denied access to government program due to stigma associated with her health status, while another narrated threats and intimidation faced while advocating for rights of indegeneous community evicted from their ancestral land.  Stories of WHRDs advocating for disability rights and those documenting human rights violations in Uganda’s oil and extractive sector revealed the extent of hostility and abuse they face in their work. These powerful testimonies moved members of the EOC, with the Chairperson pledging immediate action to address the highlighted issues.

Commitment from the Equal Opportunities Commission. GThe Honorable Chairperson of the EOC.Ms.Sophia Nalule,  reaffirmed the commission’s constitutional mandate to eliminate inequality, discrimination, and marginalization. She pledged to document the situation of WHRDs in the commission’s annual report and called for the development of stronger safeguards for WHRDs working in the oil, gas, and extractive sector. The Chairperson further promised to strengthen collaboration with WHRDN-U through partnership with the commission’s Legal Services and Investigation Department.

Key Recommendations to Advance Protection were presented to the EOC, including the need to assign a focal person at the commission to sensitized WHRDs about the commission’s mandate, recognize WHRD’s contribution to addressing inequality, and establish a complaint mechanism for WHRDs. These steps aim to bridge the gap between WHRDs and government bodies, ensuring timely responses to cases of discrimination and inequality.

A Call to Action. The WHRDN-U’s Executive Director emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces for WHRDs to share their challenges and engage directly with policy makers. She highlighted the organization’s commitment to providing holistic protection for WHRDs, including legal aid, wellness support and emergency relocation for those facing imminent threats.

The dialogue marked a critical step toward fostering meaningful collaboration between WHRDs and government bodies. As the EOC commits to increased support for WHRDs, there is hope that targeted measures will protect these frontline defenders and enhance their ability to continue their vital work without fear of reprisals.

Article published by Brenda Kugonza, Executive Director of WHRDN-U

On April 5, 2024, a  dialogue took place between Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) and the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) at the Commission’s offices in Kampala. The meeting, facilitated by the Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U), allowed WHRDs to openly share the challenges they face in their activism and advocate for enhanced protection and support from policy makers.

The discussion focused on critical issues such as physical and psychological threats, sexual harassment, cyber abuse, and public shaming that WHRDs experience. These defenders, representing various social movements across the country, highlighted the intersectional nature of gender-specific attacks, which often undermine their work and emotional well-being.

The Uganda Human Rights Commission, represented by key officials including the Chairperson, acknowledged the unique struggles of WHRDs and committed to fostering a supportive relationship. In response to the challenges shared, recommendations were made, including the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize collaboration between the Commission and the WHRDN-U. The Commission pledged to integrate these recommendations, such as documenting the role of WHRDs in promoting human rights and addressing barriers to registration for marginalized organizations.

While the meeting was a step forward, concerns remain, including the failure to adequately highlight the situation of WHRDs in the Commission’s annual human rights reports and the implications of the Anti-Homosexuality Act on their work.

Looking ahead, the WHRDN-U will continue to advocate for the implementation of these commitments, ensuring that the voices and safety of Women Human Rights Defenders are prioritized at all levels of policy and practice. The momentum generated from this meeting marks a significant stride in the ongoing fight for justice, equality, and protection for those who defend human rights in Uganda.

Article published by Brenda Kugonza, Executive Director of WHRDN-U

On April 4th, 2024, a group of passionate Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) gathered at Eureka Place Hotel in Kampala for an important advocacy workshop. Organized by the Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda, the workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of these defenders in engaging with national human rights protection mechanisms, particularly the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).

Through a series of informative sessions, the participants gained crucial insights into the role and mandate of the UHRC, and how they can effectively advocate for their protection and safety. The training included engaging discussions, a Q&A session, and practical exercises, where WHRDs learned how to craft collective statements and advocacy briefs. They also developed testimonies to highlight the violations they face and the need for stronger protective measures.

A significant part of the workshop was dedicated to improving participants’ advocacy skills. They were taught how to engage stakeholders, including government institutions and human rights organizations, with evidence-based strategies. One key takeaway was the importance of mapping stakeholders and building collaborative networks for effective engagement.

Despite these gains, challenges remain. Many WHRDs are unaware of the regional offices of the UHRC, which limits their access to protection services. Additionally, the commission’s ability to handle cases is constrained by limited resources.

Looking ahead, the Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda plans to connect WHRDs with regional offices of the UHRC to foster stronger working relationships. This effort aims to ensure that WHRDs can access the support and protection they need to continue their invaluable work.

By equipping these defenders with knowledge and practical tools, the workshop marks a crucial step toward advancing their safety and advocacy efforts in Uganda.

Article published by Brenda Kugonza, Executive Director of WHRDN-U