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The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has called for the protection of human rights defenders and the expeditious enactment of the Human Rights Defender Bill.

ULS says the move will promote, protect, and enhance the rights of human rights defenders.

According to the Rule of Law Report of 2024, the Uganda Police Force is urged to ensure the safety of all social media users and other human rights activists. ULS further recommends that social activists, who have been demanding accountability from leaders in Parliament through X, formerly Twitter, should be allowed to express their grievances in a free and fair manner.

The report emphasises the crucial role of individuals, collectives, and organisations defending human rights in fortifying democracy and upholding the rule of law.

ULS suggests that non-custodial sentences should be considered viable alternatives to prison detention, especially for minor offenses, with community service being proposed as a suitable option.

“While acknowledging the efforts of the judiciary in creating new courts, appointing new judicial officers, and embracing plea bargain processes to reduce case backlog and prison congestion, ULS recommends the development of a comprehensive national strategy that is evidence-based and responsive to local circumstances and needs. This strategy should foresee an alternative response to crime, with imprisonment being considered a measure of last resort.”

Additionally, ULS recommends that the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) strive to recover misappropriated funds and calls for the implementation of a commission of inquiry into land matters. Regarding land conflicts, ULS urges the government to implement the recommendations of the inquiry led by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire.

The report also stresses the need for clarification and strengthening of land ownership laws to address ambiguity surrounding land ownership rights and disputes.

“The review should focus on clarifying and strengthening laws related to land ownership, ensuring clear guidelines on land tenure, registration, and transfer processes,” states.

During the release of the report on April 19, 2024, at the Fairway Hotel in Kampala, ULC president Bernard Oundo urged the Government to address the persistent problem of overcrowding in prisons by exploring alternative forms of punishment and corrections, including non-custodial sentences.

ULS’s mandate

ULS is mandated to develop a skilled and empowered legal profession in execution of its statutory mandate, foster and improve access to administration of justices as well as good governance in Uganda.