Rights watchdog says defiant candidates to blame for violent clashes

Candidates who defy the set guidelines against the spread of COVID-19 are responsible for the violent clashes with security organs, Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has said.

"Defiance to the guidelines put in place by the Electoral Commission and the standard operating procedures (SOPs) by the health ministry has resulted in violent clashes. What do you expect if you don't follow the guidelines?" UHRC acting chairperson Dr Katebalirwe Amooti asked.

He said from their observations, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has been more affected than other political parties in the ongoing campaigns ahead of the January 14, 2021 general election.

NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi has had more clashes with security forces. His vehicle's front tyres were last week shot and deflated by the Police after his driver drove through a barrier near Nalufenya.

"As a commission, we encourage all candidates — whether in the ruling party or Opposition — to adhere to the set guidelines and SOPs. We shall engage the security forces seriously and frankly. Don't worry that I have not named and ashamed the Police in all those clashes. For us we avoid confrontational methods of naming and shaming," Katebalirwe said.

He said the commission has so far registered 15 complaints related to violation of human rights from the campaign period. Of these, 13 are violation to life from the November 18-19 riots in Kampala and Wakiso, and two complaints of alleged detention without trial.

Katebalirwe was yesterday addressing journalists to flag off the activities to mark the International Human Rights Day observed on December 10 each year.

The day will be marked under the theme Building back better: Putting Human Rights at the centre of the COVID-19 recovery, to re-affirm the commitment to the respect, protection and promotion of human rights for all.

The Electoral Commission (EC) issued guidelines to all candidates.

EC chief Simon Byabakama demanded Police action against some candidates, including presidential candidates who violate the guidelines during campaign meetings.

The violations include mobilising supporters to gather at campaign venues in large numbers, impromptu stopovers in trading centres, and addressing public gatherings along busy highways from their car sunroofs.

The EC noted that some candidates and their supporters are not wearing face masks during public meetings, which puts all participants at the risk of contracting COVID-19.

Katebalirwe said the commission would bring together key stakeholders to dialogue on the measures required to ensure free, fair and credible general election, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic challenges.

He said the pandemic has exacerbated the incidence of human rights violations among communities.

Cases of human rights violations reported range from sexual gender-based violence, early child marriages, torture, violations of the right to food, life, livelihood, property, health, access to justice and a host of other human rights violations.

Human rights day

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948, was the result of the experience of the Second World War. It is considered a milestone document in the history of human rights.

After the end of the war, and the creation of the United Nations, the international community vowed never again to allow atrocities like those of that conflict happen again.

Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the declaration was proclaimed by the UN (resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations.

It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages.