President Yoweri Museveni received the 2022 report on Human Rights in Uganda from Human Rights Watch (HRW) delegation led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kenneth Roth, containing findings of investigations on alleged torture and human rights abuses in Uganda.
In the meeting that took place at the President’s country home in Ntungamo district, the President assured the delegation that cases of illegal detention, torture and human rights violation will end, and they will not be tolerated.
He, however, cautioned the delegation that no one can teach him about the subject of human rights because it was one of the push factors that compelled him to fight the previous dictatorial regimes.
“I spent sixteen solid years of my life to put in place human rights observance and correct what the regime of Idi Amin distorted. When handling human rights issues, be careful!” President Museveni said.
The President assured the HRW officials that Government will act accordingly on proven torture and human rights abuse cases.
He also assured them that he will use the report and verify its findings as a case study to strengthen human rights recognition in the country.
He explained to the officials that the Government will also battle unnecessary acts by security institutions like the police force of beating, illegally detaining and interrogating people.
“What we are doing is to tell them to use legal solutions by educating the forces about standing orders of managing society while handling criminal acts and suspects,” he added
Museveni however, applauded Human Rights Watch.
“With the findings revealed to me, I can see the organisation has some good value now because you have discovered some rot on human rights according to the discussion that summarises the report and I assume it is evidence-based, ” Says the president.
The HRW Chief who has led the global organisation for nearly three decades has transformed the organisation from a small regional one to an international human rights organisation with global influence.
In attendance at the meeting was Ms. Mansion Segun, the HRW Executive Director for Africa, Ms. Carbine Caneza, the Advocacy Director for Africa, Mr. Oryema Nyeko, a researcher, and the Chairperson of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Ms Mariam Wangadya.
