UCU to teach short human rights courses

Aug 22, 2017

A joint press statement issued by the two institutions indicates that the courses will be taught under UCU’s John Sentamu Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian law.

Uganda Christian University (UCU) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have launched the pioneer short courses on human rights targeting university students.

A joint press statement issued by the two institutions indicates that the courses will be taught under UCU's John Sentamu Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian law.

"The main aim of this multi-disciplinary training is to equip students with relevant knowledge on international, regional and national protection frameworks and mechanisms for the protection of human rights as well as the UN Human Rights system," the statement states.

The course will provide participants the opportunity to have practical lessons from a breed of seasoned human rights consultants and professionals.

Speaking during the launch at UCU's Nkoyoyo Hall on Monday morning, Javier Sanjuan, OHCHR Human Rights Officer who represented the UN Human Rights Country Representative Dr. Uchenna Emelonye hailed the initiative saying it will help students understand the law and their entitlements regardless of the discipline they are studying at the university.

"Uganda Christian University is the only university in Uganda that opened her doors for us to facilitate this training", Dr. Uchenna noted.

Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi, the UCU Vice Chancellor welcomed the partnership between UCU and UN saying that the training will entrench the culture of understanding and respect for human rights and facilitate meaningful discourses on human rights. He asked the presenters and discussants to infuse Christian perspectives in the training saying that the concept of human rights was birthed in Christianity.

Rev. Senyonyi challenged students to ask questions and be open to contrasting views, "Let your perspective be challenged and also challenge theirs that's when you will learn," Dr. Senyonyi said.

The first class has an estimated 150 students drawn from the University's academic programs- law, business, nursing, education, mass communication and social sciences. The training will end on September 1, 2017.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});