Kankya says that as he returned from a lunch break with two other friends, a gang of men, clad in Queen Mother Best Kemigisa Nursery, Primary and Vocational Schools traffic reflector jackets, accosted them in the presence and on orders of the Fort Portal District Police commander Kahebwa Geoffrey and another police officer identified as Rwatooro.

“We tried to run towards Voice of Tooro radio station thinking that the presence of many people would prevent the men from attacking us.” Kankya narrated

However he says “Before we could move inside the radio station, the gang of men grabbed me, hit me with their clubs, some boxed me, repeatedly kicked me, and attempted to grab a file I had in my hand which contained a number of TLC documents.”

“During the scuffle, all my colleagues were too scared and ran away leaving me on the ground swarmed by the gang of men. The people around responded by attempting to attack the men who had hit me several times.”

Kankya sustained bruises and a loose tooth. He reported the matter to the police at Fort Portal under case reference number 38/23/01/2015. He was then given a police medical form to take to a government regional hospital for examination and medication.

It is alleged that on returning the form to police, the officers refused to record his statement claiming they were under strict orders from the DPC not to record a statement from him or anyone from TLC on charges related to assault.

When contacted the DPC Kahebwa, denied being involved in the incident

“Did Kankya say that I beat him up? If he was beaten by police officers, I am responsible, but if he was beaten by his fellow thugs and fools like him, then I am not accountable. In fact he is the one who beat up people because we have assault complaints against him”.

The Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda has condemned the DPC’s response to the querry.

“It is unfortunate that the DPC feels no sense of accountability or responsibility in this matter. We call upon the police leadership to ensure that Kankya’ statement is recorded and full scale investigations commissioned into this matter.” reads the statement from HRNJ- Uganda that Ultimate Multimedia Consult has seen.

Whereas the Uganda Police Force is mandated to keep law and order, to protect persons and their property, in the recent past the police has been battering the very people it is supposed to protect. The victims of this objectionable trend in Uganda’s Police Force have been majorly journalists and Human Rights Activists.

Earlier in January 2015, while covering a youth protest organized by National Association of the Unemployed against the newly enacted Public Order Management law, WBS Cameraman Andrew Lwanga was battered to a point of unconsciousness by the Old Kampala District Police Commander Jorum Mwesigye and was rushed to Mulago Hospital for treatment. Another scribe Jospeh Ssetimba of Bukedde Television escaped with minor injuries.

The post Police in Fort portal ruffs up Human Rights Activists first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

MPs Mohamed Nsereko and Chris Baryomunsi were arrested on Monday over allegedly making false utterances about the death of Former Butalejja Woman Mp Cerinah Nebanda.

The executive director of foundation for human rights Initiative Livingstone Ssewanyana says detention beyond 48 hours is a violation of human rights and should stop forthwith.

Ssewanyana says if the MP’s have charges to answer they should be produced to courts of law before the end of this week or be given police bond.

The post Human Rights Activists call for immediate release of arrested MPs first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Funding for Human Rights Activists/Writers under the Hellman/Hammett Grant

The Hellman/Hammett Grant is for writers, but even human rights activists who have been writing on issues and face the threat of persecution can also apply.

– The grants are made possible by the estate of the American playwright Lillian Hellman with funds set up in her name and that of her long-time companion, the novelist Dashiell Hammett.

– Ms. Hellman was prompted by her experiences during the anti-communist hysteria of the 1950s, when she and Hammett were interrogated about their political beliefs and affiliations before Congressional committees. Hellman suffered professionally and had trouble finding work for a number of years. Hammett served time in prison.”

– There are grants available between $500 and $10,000 and human rights writers or activists suffering threats, harassment, assaults, torture, imprisonment etc can be nominated for the grant. Nominations should be made using the application form available at the IFEX website.

Details to be submitted:

• biographical information about the nominee;
• a list of the nominees’ published writings;
• a statement about the political persecution suffered by the nominee and how these experiences relate to his or her writing;
• a statement about financial need.

Deadline submit the nominations: 17th December

For More Information, Kindly Visit; Hammett Grant for Human Rights Activists

Apply for Hammett Grant for Human Rights Activists

Funding for Human Rights Activists/Writers under the Hellman/Hammett Grant

The Hellman/Hammett Grant is for writers, but even human rights activists who have been writing on issues and face the threat of persecution can also apply.

– The grants are made possible by the estate of the American playwright Lillian Hellman with funds set up in her name and that of her long-time companion, the novelist Dashiell Hammett.

– Ms. Hellman was prompted by her experiences during the anti-communist hysteria of the 1950s, when she and Hammett were interrogated about their political beliefs and affiliations before Congressional committees. Hellman suffered professionally and had trouble finding work for a number of years. Hammett served time in prison.”

– There are grants available between $500 and $10,000 and human rights writers or activists suffering threats, harassment, assaults, torture, imprisonment etc can be nominated for the grant. Nominations should be made using the application form available at the IFEX website.

Details to be submitted:

• biographical information about the nominee;
• a list of the nominees’ published writings;
• a statement about the political persecution suffered by the nominee and how these experiences relate to his or her writing;
• a statement about financial need.

Deadline submit the nominations: 17th December

For More Information, Kindly Visit; Hammett Grant for Human Rights Activists

The post Apply for Hammett Grant for Human Rights Activists first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

International Human Rights Internships: The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is an international non-governmental organisation based in Geneva, at the heart of the United Nations human rights system, with a small branch office in New York.

International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is established in supporting and facilitating the work of human rights defenders with the United Nations system and regional human rights systems.

It works at national, regional and international levels.

Internships with International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) offer unique opportunities for human rights activists to observe and learn about both the UN human rights system and the international human rights non-governmental community.

The principal focus of the internships will be learning about the workings of the international human rights system.

Geneva is the hub of international human rights activity and the focus of much activity by governments, and national and regional human rights organisations.

Length of internships

Internships are offered for a minimum period of 3 months and a maximum period of 6 months.

It strongly favours applications from those who are willing to commit to a longer internship.

Applications should be forwarded at least three months in advance of the anticipated start date in order to ensure work permit and visa.

Applications for internships are accepted all year round unless otherwise stated.

Application process

Applicants should submit an Application Form and CV (with two references) with a clear indication to which programme they would like to apply.

For more information and application see; International Human Rights Internships

Join International Human Rights Internships

International Human Rights Internships: The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is an international non-governmental organisation based in Geneva, at the heart of the United Nations human rights system, with a small branch office in New York.

International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is established in supporting and facilitating the work of human rights defenders with the United Nations system and regional human rights systems.

It works at national, regional and international levels.

Internships with International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) offer unique opportunities for human rights activists to observe and learn about both the UN human rights system and the international human rights non-governmental community.

The principal focus of the internships will be learning about the workings of the international human rights system.

Geneva is the hub of international human rights activity and the focus of much activity by governments, and national and regional human rights organisations.

Length of internships

Internships are offered for a minimum period of 3 months and a maximum period of 6 months.

It strongly favours applications from those who are willing to commit to a longer internship.

Applications should be forwarded at least three months in advance of the anticipated start date in order to ensure work permit and visa.

Applications for internships are accepted all year round unless otherwise stated.

Application process

Applicants should submit an Application Form and CV (with two references) with a clear indication to which programme they would like to apply.

For more information and application see; International Human Rights Internships

The post Join International Human Rights Internships first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Human Rights Summer Institute: The Human Rights Summer Institute (HRSI) is an intensive scholarship program for international high school students in New York City.

The purpose of the program is to provide a forum for young leaders to explore local and global human rights issues.

Through out the program a range of concepts and methodologies relevant to the realization of universal human rights as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) are utilised.

Objectives:

• To create a cadre of young human rights activists in New York City who will lead their generation in promoting respect for human rights in the new millennium.
• To provide students with an active, participatory learning environment in which everyone strives together to act in accordance with human rights principles.
• To provide a multi-disciplinary, critical and creative framework for approaching human rights principles, problems, and visions.
• To provide youth and leadership development through hands-on group activist training.

Scholarship:

Each participant will be provided with full program materials, transportation, daily lunch, and a $500 stipend.

Contact: International Center for Tolerance Education (ICTE), 25 Washington Street, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Tel: 718-237-6262. Fax: 718-237-6264.

Please check back for the application deadline; Human Rights Summer Institute – Free Grants – Free Scholarships

The post Get opportunity to study in Human Rights Summer Institute first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The development has come at a time when opposition parties mainly FDC and DP, Buganda kingdom and human rights organisations petitioned UN human rights department to intervene into the issue. Bukenya Church Ambrose, told Walakira Nyanzi, a journalist based in Kampala that he has been receiving calls from the Kampala government persuading him not to involve UN in the issue of the Buganda riots suspects. Bukenya is the coordinator of Gwanga Mujje, a group of human rights activists in Kampala with branches in UK and US.

We have learnt that on Tuesday judiciary working on a directive from statehouse assigned the Masindi High Court judge Ralph Ochan to hear the case of the 23 suspects facing treason charges and where applicable give them bail.

Due to the pressure, a source in the High Court told one of our reporters that the government has requested the judiciary to hear the case of the suspects so soon before the UN diplomats visit them in Luzira prison. There is a rumour going in Kampala government that some UN officials want to storm Luzira prison without notice and meet the Buganda riot suspects. The fear is that the UN diplomat could discover that many people have been locked up in Luzira for more than five years without trial due to political influence.

Recently the relatives of the suspects broke down into tears after Prison authorities failed to produce the suspects to court as it was earlier communicated. Many people were heard cursing president Museveni’s government, his NRM party and wished US president Barrack Obama comes for their rescue. Another source at the Kampala High Court told our underground informers that the Buganda Riots suspects have stayed for all long without trial because the head of state, who is the appointing authority of the judiciary reportedly had an interest. The suspects were arrested after the UPDF soldiers and some few Police officers stopped the Buganda Katikkiro, J.B. Walusimbi, from visiting Kayunga district in preparation for Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s visit to mark the annual youth day.

The post Due to international pressure government has located Buganda riots suspects a judge first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The development has come at a time when opposition parties mainly FDC and DP,Bugandakingdom and human rights organisations petitioned UN human rights department to intervene into the issue. Bukenya Church Ambrose, told Walakira Nyanzi, a journalist based in Kampala that he has been receiving calls from the Kampala government persuading him not to involve UN in the issue of the Buganda riots suspects. Bukenya is the coordinator of Gwanga Mujje, a group of human rights activists in Kampala with branches inUK and US.

We have learnt that on Tuesday judiciary working on a directive from statehouse assigned the Masindi High Court judge Ralph Ochan to hear the case of the 23 suspects facing treason charges and where applicable give them bail. Due to the pressure, a source in the High Court told one of our reporters that the government has requested the judiciary to hear the case of the suspects so soon before the UN diplomats visit them in Luzira prison.

There is a rumour going inKampala government that some UN officials want to storm Luzira prison without notice and meet the Buganda riot suspects. The fear is that the UN diplomat could discover that many people have been locked up in Luzira for more than five years without trial due to political influence.

Recently the relatives of the suspects broke down into tears after Prison authorities failed to produce the suspects to court as it was earlier communicated. Many people were heard cursing president Museveni’s government, his NRM party and wished USpresident Barrack Obama comes for their rescue.

Another source at the Kampala High Court told our underground informers that the Buganda Riots suspects have stayed for all long without trial because the head of state, who is the appointing authority of the judiciary reportedly had an interest. The suspects were arrested after the UPDF soldiers and some few Police officers stopped the Buganda Katikkiro, J.B. Walusimbi, from visiting Kayunga district in preparation for Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s visit to mark the annual youth day.

The post Due to international pressure Uganda government has located Buganda riots suspects a judge first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

On Tuesday January 24^th 2012MakerereUniversity concluded its 62nd Graduation Ceremony with the award of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws to Kibaki. Although many freedom fighters and advocates in African consider Kibaki as a benevolent dictator,MakerereUniversity awarded him a doctorate of laws in recognition of his distinguished and outstanding contribution to public service at the national, regional and international levels – especially in the areas of Academic Excellence, Political, Social and Economic reforms.

 The ceremony where Kibaki received the award was attended by President Yoweri Museveni ofUganda, whom also some human rights activists call a dictator.

 The university leadership applauded Kibaki for what it called his exemplary leadership inKenya. Before Kibaki became president, he worked as a bus conductor for the defunct Othaya Bus Service Company in Kenya and he later joined the Makerere College (now Makerere University) – where he got a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, History and Political Science.

 Kibaki got a first class Bachelor of Arts degree ofMakerereUniversityin 1955. He was elected the Vice Chairman of the Makerere Students Guild (1954-1955). FromMakerereUniversityhe enrolled at the London School of Economics for a Bachelor of Science in Public Finance, and graduated with distinction in 1958.

 The president ofKenyaalso sometimes back served as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Economics atMakerereUniversityfrom 1958 to 1960. By Walakira Nyanzi

The post Why Makerere University loves President Mwai Kibaki? first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

She made the caution at the five day workshop  under the theme Claiming Spaces: Tactical Tools for Human Rights Defenders which attracted over 50 human rights activists including journalists and women human rights defenders from across Uganda organized by the Human Rights, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project  at Hotel Africana in kampala.

The Bill that seeks to regulate public meetings has been rejected by many organizations with claims that it violates the UN Human Rights laws.

Sekagya advised legislators to make further consultation before passing the Bill into law.

She noted that human rights abuses have been on the increase worldwide mostly-in theArab world where uprisings have taken place.

The post UN envoy decries increasing human rights abuses in Uganda first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The call comes after the recent deployment of about 100 personnel by the US government to help in the pursuit of Joseph Kony.

The coordinator Uganda coalition on the ICC Joyce Apio says it’s crucial that Kony is captured alive, to enable him answer for the atrocities committed against the people in northern Uganda.

She says extrajudicial killings do not uphold good governance and deny suspects the right to a fair hearing;

Apio says the US government which recently sent 100 special forces to help Uganda, South Sudan, DR Congo and Central African Republic to kill or capture Kony and his remaining commanders should ensure the rebel leader is captured alive.

Ultimate Media

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