The Evolution of Human Rights in Uganda

Introduction
After studying this chapter, you will be able to understand the evolution of human rights in Uganda, their importance to a peaceful society and their significance to United Nations Universal Declaration of Human rights. Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. Human rights apply to everybody regardless of where you are from, what you believe
or how you choose to live your life. They can never be taken away from anybody but they can sometimes be restricted in cases where for example a person has broken the law or is a threat to national security. Human rights are based on shared values of dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence. These values are defined and protected by law. They aspire to protect all people everywhere from severe political, legal, and social abuses.
Rights and Responsibilities
Rights are freedoms we have that are protected by our laws, while responsibilities are duties or things that we should do. We all aspire to live in a secure environment and this secure environment starts with you. Human rights are natural claims of human beings for a good life and its usually secured by law stated in the constitution
of Uganda. Both rights and responsibilities are properly stated in our constitution. Responsibilities are mandatory duties of a human being that make him/her a good citizen. They include paying taxes, paying fees, respecting family members andu fellow citizens, etc.

Figure 6.1: Education is a right that must be given to all
The rules and regulations we have in homes, schools, and work places are meant to protect us as we study, work and stay in our homes. When we break the rules, we pay a penalty for breaking them. The penalty can be imprisonment, fine or community service. Rules create a better living environment for us. However, we have entitlement we must enjoy beyond our schools and working places that makes us live as good

citizens. See Figure 6.2 about health rights. These may not be provided in schools or our homes.
The government and the society we live in has the responsibility to ensure our entitlements are provided. These entitlements have been put down in the country’s constitution and they can be defended and challenged when they are denied or
broken.

As citizens we have to enjoy the entitlements without discrimination. We have the responsibility to know them, demand them and put them in action. This makes us become responsible citizens who can defend them and respect the rights of others. Human rights are categorised as civil, political and social rights. The civil and political rights put limits on the government authority that is likely to affect us as individuals.
The social rights require the government to make a provision in its planning to improve the quality of life of its citizens.

Identifying rights and responsibilities
Activity 6.1
a) Using ICT or library research, identify the civil and political rights, social and cultural rights.
b) Explain how rights should be respected by government and individuals.
c) In groups, discuss what would happen if these rights were denied by individuals or government.
Human Rights and the Rule of Law
Laws are put in place to guide citizens and their leaders to maintain order in society. These laws are well laid out in the constitution of the country. The rule of law therefore implies that citizens should be governed in accordance with the law. The citizens on the other hand, should be law-abiding. The abuse of human rights begins when the application of the law is not equal, not fair and leaders are not accountable for their actions and decisions.
The rule of law implies that government and all its institutions are accountable to the laws of the land. The laws are equally enforced and independently judged in line with the standards of international human rights principles. The enforcement of

the law should not be discriminative. It should apply equally to all regardless of a person’s sex, religion, political inclination or status in society. For example in Figure 6.3, children rights are being abused.

The rule of law on the side of citizens implies that citizens should respect and abide by the laws, respect legal authorities and documents and the decisions of courts of law as well. When the government and the people respect the laws, it builds stability in society. The rule of law is therefore important in the implementation of human rights. When the rule of law is well enforced, it reduces the chances of people going to courts of law for litigation and turning to use of violence as a last resort. The State bears the responsibility to protect and guarantee human rights as the guardian of law and human rights.

Analysing Chapter Four of the Ugandan Constitution
a)Using ICT or library research, read Chapter Four of the Ugandan
Constitution and identify the human rights in the constitution.
b)Explain why these rights are important for our existence in our society.
b)In groups, discuss the best way in which these rights can be enforced in our communities. Make a presentation to your class.
Violation of Human Rights
The world we live in is full of widespread human rights violations. The violation of human rights is a result of the failure of the state and individuals in position of responsibility to ensure that rights are respected and protected. Violation of human rights have also occurred because the state or its institutions have denied citizens to access and enjoy their rights. Violation of human rights has been in form of torture or
physical harm, humiliation, denial, indecent imprisonment of people and others. For example, see Figure 6.4.

Human rights are the only safeguards that give us freedom and protection. They also enable us to live in a better and safe environment when they are granted. They set standards through which we
can live a life of dignity, freedom and peace. As human beings we are entitled to live within the minimum standards to live a life worth of human beings. The violation of human rights is done by
individuals, the state or its institutions that are meant to protect them.

The violations are committed as a result of bad governance, and the partiality to the rule of law and lack of fair justice system. The violations also come as a result of political, social and economic problems such as poverty, underdevelopment, economic stress and social problems that makes citizens vulnerable to abuse. The abuses manifest in form of abductions, arbitrary arrests, detentions with ut trial, political executions, assassinations, sex slaves and others.

Activity 6.3
Identifying the agents of human rights violations
a) Identify the agents of human rights violation and the violations they
commit in our communities.
b) In groups, discuss how human rights violations can be minimised in our communities.
Avoiding Violations and Abuse of Human Rights
Human rights violations and abuse can be avoided when there are mechanisms in place that can identify, monitor and prosecute the offenders. Putting in place these mechanisms is the responsibility of government which is the custodian of protecting the human rights. The government should strengthen and support the legal system to provide legal protection of human rights as guaranteed under international law. For example, see Figure 6.5.

The presence of conflicts is also a cause of violation of rights. There are so many forms of conflicts. They include tribal conflicts, land conflicts, marriage conflicts, economic conflicts and others whose results often turn into violence and abuse of rights. Such conflicts can be mitigated when there are mechanisms for conflict resolution. In this regard, traditional institutions, the church, the elders in addition to the courts of law can be relied on to resolve such conflicts. The government therefore should support
such institutions to ensure they are well facilitated to do their work.

Mass education on human rights is also another way violation of human rights can be minimised. When citizens are equipped with the knowledge about human rights, they can act as a vehicle through which abuses can be monitored and reported. Mass education can be done using radios and the print media
and others. For example see Figure 6.6. Education should target areas of conflicts and the security agencies to observe human rights standards for law enforcement.

Improving governance is another area where violation of rights can be minimized. Most conflicts arise as a result of bad governance and when citizens believe the government is not delivering to their expectations. The government should therefore encourage strong democratic institutions to address political and social rights. Issues of bad electoral laws affect our communities. See Figure 6.7 about the desired free and fair elections. The government should also put in place local enforcement mechanisms of human rights including an independent judiciary that is impartial which can protect citizens against politically motivated persecution.

The use of dialogue should be encouraged to overcome mistrust, fear and grief in society and restore sanity in the society. When there is dialogue, the perceived wrong image is cleared and people see the truth in what is causing the conflict. The feeling of the people in the cmflict are brought forward and solutions identified to bring normalcy in the community.
Respecting human rights is an important means of protecting all citizens and especially those in situations of abuse. neglect and isolation. Human rights represent our values and give us power to speak and challenge mistreatment from public authorities.
Explaining how human rights violations can be avoided
Activity 6.4
a) Identify human rights that are highly respected and those that are highly violated in your community.
b) Explain how those violations can be avoided and respected by members in the community.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its Benefits to Uganda
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a standard document that has been ratified and domesticated by most countries in the world in regard to human rights protection and promotion, It is a foundation for human rights agreements and the International Bill of Rights. The document is internationally recognized as a standard in respect of promotion and respect for human rights and freedoms. It provides for every individual around the world to have an to grow and develop in freedom and equality to realize the fullness of their potential. Uganda is a signatory to the declaration and has ratified the document. By signing the document, Uganda has the legal obligation to implement what is in the document.
This gives assurance to Ugandans that they are protected. They are assured that their rights cannot be trampled upon. Accordingly, Uganda is required to provide annual reports on human rights situation through which the country is judged as being complacent or transgressing on human rights protection and promotion.
Activity
Evaluating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
a) Using ICT or library, identify the human rights identified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
b) In groups, discuss the challenges of human rights implementation. Make a presentation to your class.

Chapter Summary
In this chapter, you have learnt that human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person. They are protected by the law. They are safeguards through which we live a better life and in a dignified environment. They have to be respected by those in the leadership and the citizens as well. The government is the custodian of promoting and protecting the human rights.