DIV4/6: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS

WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS IN UGANDA?

The human rights of a citizen in Uganda are based on the 1948 United Nations declaration of human rights and the 1995 constitution of the republic of Uganda.

Everyone has a right to life chapter 4, article 2 subsection one and two.

• Right to have access to means to support life, adequate food, shelter, clothing provided by the government if not enabling the citizen to get them easily.
• One has a right to education article 30.
• Right to marry and rise a family but at the age of 18 years and above and at a dissolution.
• Everyone has a right to own a property but with respect to the rights of others article 26.
• Citizens have a right to associate with others, a freedom to join and form an association like a trade union or a political party.

• One has a right of freedom of speech and information article 29.
• A religious liberty and freedom of conscience article 29 subsection c.
• Right and freedom to participate in the politics of his or her own country especially when he/she has the necessary qualifications.
• A right of respect to human dignity and protection from slavery and forced labour, article 25.
• A right of privacy of a person, home and property, article 27.
• A right to clean and health environment, article 39.
• Children to be cared for by their parents or those entitled to them. However the children are expected to respect and co-operate with their parents otherwise the right would be rendered useless.

SHOULD A CHRISTIAN INVOLVE HIMSELF IN THE ARMY?

Yes, a Christian should involve in the army basing on the following reasons;

• By joining the army a Christian also becomes a protector of the lives of citizens and his life plus the property away from enemies. This is in line with God’s commands in Genesis 1:28-29.
• A Christian should involve in the army because it indicates following Christians principles and commands. God protected the Israelites against their enemies in war and so as a Christian has a right to be in the army.
• It is justified for a Christian to join the army as a way of building defense around the country from enemies and creating peace. The gospel of Mathew 5:9 clearly says, happy are these who work for peace, God will call them his children.
• The bible gives examples of people who were great soldiers under God’s protection. For example Cornelius, King David who defeated the great philistine commander Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50-54)
• Christians are called upon to be in the army because they are the light and salt of the earth, so they would give a good direction to others to be morally upright if they are in the army.
• A Christian does not live in isolation from the community and the nation at large. Therefore he is called upon to take up his constitutional responsibility of depending the nation and promoting peace.
• A Christian should join the army for useful purpose for example distributing food in times of calamities and rescue missions like during wars or accidents, earthquakes and others
• Christians are free to join the army for the purpose of doing tasks like exhumining dead bodies and discovery of new geographical features which become a basis for development in the country.
• A Christian involvement in the army is important for promotion of peace that also God wishes his people to have.
• A Christian should be in the army for supporting other security organs such as the police, to fight and prevent crimes in the society.

However to a smaller extent may not be supported to join the army basing on the following views;

• Christianity encourages a spirit of love, forgiveness and reconciliation but a Christian soldier finds it hard to use the above principles because the army mainly uses violence against evil doers.
• The major purpose of the army is war which is against the Christian principle of peace with one another and living as brothers and sisters of the same father.
• The Christians would always want to conquer evil with love since evil cannot solve evil according to Christian teaching but involvement in the army by a Christian means he may be forced to use force to solve evil.
• Christians are urged not to join the army because Christ brought peace not war to mankind when he broke the chains of death so one should be a peace maker not a warrior.
• A Christian involvement in the army is not justified because before God there is no reason for domination of one another. He created mankind as equal to one another.
• War is man’s desperate way of solving problems which as Christianity teaches that problems can be solved through reconciliation.
• Christians do not justify the involvement in the army because war involves killing which is a sin before God who taught the Israelites not to commit murder (Exodus 20:13)
• Because war creates enmity between individuals and nations like USA and Libya during Gadafi’s reign, America and Iran, Rwanda and Congo, a Christian may not wish to join the army because he is supposed to create peace but war creates enmity.
• Many Christians do not support joining the army because many armies of Africa are associated with immoral behaviours which are ungodly raping, prostitution, drug abuse homosexuality.
• War is evident approach to problems which is not acceptable to god and may also discourage a Christian to join the army. In Mathew 26:52-53, Jesus used peaceful means to put back the ear of the soldier which was cut off by his disciple and also requested those who came to arrest him to put back their swords.
• A Christian may not like joining the army because war brings suffering and destruction to the community. In addition to hunger, refugees, spread of diseases and others
• Christians do not justify war/ involvement in the army because war is Satan’s weapon of destroying life and causing suffering.
• Joining the army or war may not be justified by a Christian because it is against the Christian virtues and principles of love, respect, forgiveness, endurance, faithfulness, kindness, trustworthiness and others.

IN WHAT OTHER WAYS SHOULD A CHRISTIAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SECURITY OF HIS OR HER COUNTRY APART FROM JOINING THE ARMY?

A Christian can contribute to the security of his/ her country apart from joining the army through doing the following;

• Supporting government and military programmes like reporting criminals in the society.
• Encouraging others who want to join the army to do so.
• By paying taxes to state to support buying food and materials to support the army.
• Bringing up healthy and disciplined children with Christian morals who can even join the armed force.
• Helping the state to recruit potential man power like the police, army and other civil services.
• Praying for peace to prevail in the country.
• Encouraging dialogue between worrying factions like Besigye verses Museveni.
• Attending politician courses like at Kyankwanzi leadership centre and local mchakamchaka training.
• Giving advice and exposing insecurity that is likely to take place in the area so that it is dealt with immediately.
• Involving all sectors of society to give direction like being a member in the local council.
• Being a watchdog of peace, security, justice and the rule of law with in the country that would promote democracy and security.
• Offering children formal education to live a bright future.
• Involving in radio and TV talk shows . For example Mambo Baado on CBS, Akabinkano on Bukedde TV and others
• Resisting government activities that violet people’s fundamental rights and freedom . For example abuse of freedom of press, association and imprisonment without trial.