By Joyce Namutebi
CHILD neglect tops human rights abuses in Uganda, according to the Ugandan Human Rights Commission.

“The most violated right was child neglect, representing 25% of complaints registered in 2006, an increment of 77% from the previous period,” says the commission’s report, presented by chairperson Margaret Sekaggya to the Speaker of Parliament yesterday.

In its 145-page report, the commission was concerned that child sacrifice, child trafficking, child labour, abduction, child soldiering, defilement, child prostitution and abuse were persisting in Uganda.

“Police reports reveal that there were 185 victims of combined cases of child abduction, kidnap, disappearance, trafficking and sacrifice alone during the period between January and September 2006,” the report said. Most of the children trafficked internally were from Buganda region, accounting for 36%, followed by Acholi (18%) and Ankole (8%).

The commission came up with eight recommendations, including setting up a commission of inquiry to investigate the problem of child sacrifice.

Torture was second on the list of human rights violations. Although the number of complaints registered in 2006 reduced by 7.6% compared to the previous year, torture still formed the bulk of cases handled by the commission, while 71% of the awards made by the tribunal in 2006 were for torture victims, Sekaggya noted.

She urged the Ugandan Parliament to enact a law prohibiting torture and the Government to ratify the Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture.

The Human Rights Commission also criticised the fact that civilians and children were being detained in military detention facilities.

The civilians were usually brought in by the Violent crime Crack Unit (VCCU) and the Rapid Response Unit. Although the staff discipline and the relationship with inmates had improved, reducing the incidences of torture, the report noted that degrading treatment still existed.

“Some VCCU suspects in Makindye (military barracks) were found to be suffering from a Sexually Transmitted Infection that was eating away their genitals but were receiving no treatment,” the commission stated.

Moreover, suspects were being detained for long periods without trial. A total of 28 detainees at Makindye had no charges against them as per the register at the time of the commission’s visit and some suspects had been detained without trial for over three years, the report said. It recommended that Court Martials convene regularly and frequently to dispose of cases.

On the PRA suspects who were re-arrested after the Constitutional Court had ordered their release, the report called upon the Government to adhere to court orders and respect the independence of the judiciary. “Those who disregard court orders should be brought to book.” It also called upon the judiciary to ensure speedy and fair trials.

The report further expressed concern about violent demonstrations in Kampala which had led to the loss of lives and the looting and vandalising of private property. It appealed to political leaders to desist from hate campaigns, sectarian, ethnic and racist language. It also recommended that squads such as Kiboko not be allowed to do Police work.

“The after mirth of the Mabira Forest was the emergence of the Kiboko squad which complemented the role of Police in maintaining law and order”, the report states. “Although it was praised by the President, such squads have the potential to violate human rights, breed conflict and breach peace.”

Sekaggya said the commission, with the support of the British High Commission, was developing guidelines on demonstrations, which “must clearly spell out the role of the Police and the demonstrators and whether the Police should actually sanction demonstrations.”

The report also noted with concern the clashes between pastoralists and farmers, particularly in Kasese, Teso and Buliisa. “In Buliisa the demagogues are fanning the flames of ethnic resentment and inciting violence,” the report said.

It recommended that pastoralism be progressively transformed, instead of being undermined, victims be compensated, xenophobia (hatred against foreigners) be prohibited and politicians be restrained from promoting it.

On Karamoja, it noted that the disarmament programme of the Government had had some success, “such as increased good civil military relations, apprehension of notorious raiders, the collection of many guns and ammunition and improved security.” However, it recommended that the disarmament exercise be done “in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of the innocent Karimojong”.

The report will be scrutinised by the parliamentary committee on legal and parliamentary affairs.