Uganda has developed a draft national action plan on human rights which will soon be available to the public for scrutiny according to Norbert Mao, the minister for justice and constitutional affairs.

“That work (action plan on human rights) is finished. We are not waiting for President Joe Biden to tell us things about human rights. You saw President Biden talk about the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act and human rights.

The people complaining about human rights are Ugandans and not American citizens. People are complaining about abductions, torture,” Mao explained on Friday, November 10, while addressing the 5th annual symposium on business and human rights in Uganda.

Held at the Sheraton Hotel, Kampala, the theme of the symposium was: ‘Assessing Uganda’s journey in access to justice for business and human rights.

Mao revealed that the Cabinet approved the establishment of the standing committee on human rights chaired by himself and deputised by the minister of internal affairs.

The members include the minister for foreign affairs, defence, gender, security, local government, government chief whip and the secretary general of NRM (ex-officio).

“We developed a final draft of the national action plan on human rights. We are not waiting for Biden to tell us. It is the Ugandans complaining. It is an embarrassment for America to speak on our behalf. It is our citizens complaining.”

“Human rights in Uganda has become a hot topic. We have to face this problem and solve it,” Mao added.

Since the United Nations adopted the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in 2011, many countries including Uganda have embarked on developing supportive policy, legislative and institutional frameworks for the respect, protect and remedy framework to guide practice for responsible business conduct.

A key milestone for Uganda was the adoption and rollout of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR) in August 2021 to promote responsible business practices.

Mao warned Government officials against violating human rights. He said that the attorney general has warned that he will not defend government officials and her agents for violating human rights.

The practice has been that Government officials receive legal representation from the attorney general`s office but minister Mao says that this will stop.

Mao said that all businesses, NGOs have a duty of ensuring compliance with the law. Where they do not do so, they should be reported.

Minister Mao says that the Ugandan state still has many challenges that need to be addressed beyond issues to do with access to justice. He says that many institutions remain weak and seem to have been overpowered by individuals

“We have a duty to guarantee predictability of remedies. Some citizens don’t know what to do about their rights. Britain has citizen advice centres that help citizens. Similar agencies are needed to help citizens. Some elected leaders avoid citizens after being elected for fear of being asked for money,” Mao said.

During the symposium Hellen Asamo the state minister for gender, labour and social development in charge of disability affairs said victims of human rights need access to remedies.

Article of the Constitution guarantees judicial remedy for human rights violations. It stipulates that any person who claims that his or her right has been infringed or threatened can apply to a competent court for redress which may include compensation. These courts include the civil division of the High Court, the Environmental Tribunal, the Industrial, Supreme Courts and Court of Appeal.

Asamo indicated that access to judicial remedies are affected by long distances to courts, lack of judicial officers, high cost of litigation, delayed payments of compensation, case backlog and corruption. Asamo called for the setting up of special courts to address issues of violations of business and human rights.

Dr Augustine Enyipu head of programme DanChurchAid, Uganda said the conversation on business and human rights should be vibrant. “Dialogue is necessary, it supports environment and social governance and sustainability in light of the growth in the extractive industry and expansion in agriculture,” Enyipu explained.

Nelly Businge, an official from Tax Justice Alliance, said that businesses need to respect human rights. “Foreign direct investment drives economic growth but can negatively impact human rights and the environment if the businesses do not respect human rights,” Businge said.

Since 2018, Resource Rights Africa has alongside DanChurchAid and in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Uganda Human Rights Commission, the ministry of gender labour and social development been organizing the symposia with support from the Danish ministry of foreign affairs and the European Union Delegation in Uganda.

The event takes stock of the opportunities and challenges in advancing the respect for human rights by businesses in the country.

Over the years, the symposia have particularly focused on the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and created space for advocacy towards the development of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights for Uganda. This has been done by scanning the environment and identifying lessons learnt, and existing opportunities in promoting Business and Human Rights through a regulated business environment and identifying challenges associated with the process in Uganda.

Furthermore, the symposia have enabled exploration of how accountability and remedy mechanisms for business-related human rights issues in Uganda can be enhanced. And how responsible business conduct can be strengthened to advance respect for people and the planet.

Uganda drafts national action plan on human rights -- Justice Minister

Mao revealed that the Cabinet approved the establishment of the standing committee on human rights chaired by himself and deputised by the minister of internal affairs.

Norbert Mao, the minister for justice and constitutional affairs/ File photo

John Odyek

Journalist @New Vision