Ritah Aciro, the Executive Director of Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET) has won this year’s European Union’s Human Rights Defenders Award.

Aciro was recognized for her contribution to the rights of women and girls in Uganda, and her outspoken promotion of human rights and democratic values. 

The award, according to the EU ambassador to Uganda recognizes significant contributions made to human rights in the past year and aims to give visibility to less known human rights activists who are doing a tremendous job.

In her acceptance speech, Aciro said defending human rights should be driven by passion and compassion.