Dear Reader
Happy New year 2023! From the entire team at HRAPF, we extend our best wishes for the New Year.
We are pleased to share with you the eighth issue of the Spotlight Newsletter which highlights the activities we undertook in the fourth quarter of 2022 from 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022. This quarter also marked the end of HRAPF's 3rd strategic plan which was for the period of 2018-2022. In this quarter, HRAPF experienced a great loss and also many gains in the same measure.
HRAPF implements its activities under four main programmatic areas: Access to Justice; Research and Advocacy; Community Capacity Enhancement; and Institutional Development. This issue highlights our interventions under the different strategies.
Enjoy your read!
LEGAL AID SERVICE PROVISION
HRAPF offers free legal aid services to Sex workers, PWUIDs, LGBTI persons, survivors of Gender Based violence in refugee settlements, women, girls, and health workers in conflict with abortion laws, elderly and indigent persons with land justice issues, and women and girls living with and/or affected by HIV.
We handle cases through the following channels: the main legal clinic at the HRAPF secretariat in Kampala; the Eastern regional legal aid center hosted by HOPE Mbale in Mbale; the Northern regional legal aid centre hosted by Health and Rights Initiative in Lira; and the Western region legal aid centre hosted by Mbarara Rise Foundation in Mbarara; and at the specialised legal aid desks - the one for LBQ women hosted by Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG) in Kampala and the one for Transgender/Gender non-conforming persons hosted by Tranz Network Uganda (TNU) in Kampala, and in Bidibidi refugee settlement in Yumbe district. The other cases were handled by community paralegals under the guidance of HRAPF lawyers
In the fourth quarter, the Access to Justice Programme handled a total of 569 cases. 219 cases concerned sex workers; 172 were cases involving LGBT persons; 147 cases concerned PWUIDs; 17 cases involved persons living with and affected by HIV; 11 were cases of GBV from Bidibidi Refugee settlement; 3 cases involved women, girls and health workers in charged with abortion related offences.
Of these, 296 cases were handled by community paralegals; 148 cases were handled at the main legal aid clinic; 76 cases were handled at the regional legal aid centers (West – 29; North – 24; East – 19); and 11 cases were handled through the Yumbe field office.
The actions taken in responding to these cases benefited a total of 985 persons, of whom 391 persons benefited from cases involving sex workers; 288 persons benefitted from PWUID cases; 211 persons benefitted from cases involving LGBT persons; 77 in HIV cases; 15 from cases involved with survivors of Gender Based Violence; and 3 persons benefitted from an abortion case.
A total of 38 cases were handled through the specialised legal aid desks for Transgender and Gender non-conforming persons and LBQ women. 16 of these cases were handled at the LBQ legal aid desk while 22 were handled at the desk for transgender and gender non conforming persons. The actions taken in these cases benefitted a total of 45 persons.
HRAPF lawyers and paralegals undertook various interventions and secured remedies for the clients including police bond, deed pools, mediations, affidavits, demand notices, and compensation.
In the quarter, we recorded 65 incidents of human rights violations against our target groups. Of these, LGBTI persons suffered 39 violations; sex workers faced 25 violations and persons who use and/or inject drugs suffered 1 violation. The most prevalent human rights violations were of the: right to freedom from discrimination - 22; right to freedom from cruel and degrading treatment -18; right to liberty - 12; the right to own property - 2; the right to dignity - 2; the right to privacy - 1; and the right to life - 2.
ENGAGING WITH INFORMAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS
HRAPF aims to work with local council leaders and traditional leaders to ensure that cases of violence and discrimination against our target populations in the communities where they live are eliminated and/or redressed.
During the period, HRAPF conducted 6 dialogues with local council leaders on the rights of Key Populations in Uganda. Four dialogues were conducted in Mbale district on 19th and 20th October and on 5th and 6th December 2022; In Masaka district on 8th December 2022; and in Kalangala on 9th December 2022. The dialogues reached out to a total of 133 local council leaders.
UPDATE ON THE CASE CHALLENGING PETTY OFFENCES IN UGANDA
On 2nd December 2022, in a landmark ruling, the Constitution Court of Uganda declared null and void sections 168(1)(c) and 168(1)(d) of the Penal Code, which are part of the broader range of legal provisions creating the offences of being ‘rogue and vagabond’. This judgment is a welcome development in the struggle for the decriminalisation and declassification of petty offences that have traditionally been used by law enforcement to target and harass marginalised persons on the basis of status in Uganda.
HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY
MOBILE LEGAL AID CAMPS
`HRAPF conducted 4 awareness sessions that reached out to 350 LGBTI persons. Mbarara on 5th October 2022; Kampala on 26th November 2022; Nakivale Refugee Settlement on 15th December 2022; and in Nabweru on 16th December 2022.
ENGAGEMENTS WITH COMMUNITY PARALEGALS
HRAPF conducted quarterly paralegal sharing sessions with paralegals serving the LGBTI, Sex worker and PWUIDs communities. These sharing sessions are safe spaces for paralegals to share their experiences handling cases, lessons learnt and challenges faced serving their communities.
4 regional sharing sessions were conducted with LGBT paralegals on 19th and 20th October 2022 attended by 65 paralegals; 1 sharing session conducted with sex worker paralegals on 18th October 2022 attended by 20 paralegals; and 1 sharing session with PWUIDs paralegals on 18th October 2022 attended by 17 paralegals.
We also conducted the annual general community paralegal sharing session with all our target beneficiaries on 17th December 2022 with paralegals from the PWUIDs, sex worker and LGBTQ community. The session was attended by a total of 71 participants of whom 26 were LGBT persons, 28 were sex workers and 17 were PWUIDs. The session was used as an opportunity to share cross-community challenges, learnings and guidance in the handling of cases in the field.
SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY PARALEGALS TO HANDLE CASES
In the fourth quarter, community paralegals were facilitated to handle a total of 296 cases. The cases handled concerned 144 sex workers; 115 Persons who use and inject drugs; and 37 LGBTI persons. The cases handled benefitted a total of 449 persons of whom 239 benefitted from sex worker cases; 161 from PWUIDs cases; and 49 from cases involving LGBT persons.
Community paralegals based in the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement camp handled 11 GBV cases and 4 cases were handled by paralegals working with the community of persons living with and affected by HIV.
The cases handled by sex worker paralegals benefited a total of 183 persons; the cases handled by PWUIDs benefited a total of 110 persons; and the cases handled by LGBTQ paralegals benefited a total of 4 persons.
ADVOCACY ENGAGEMENTS
DIALOGUES WITH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON THE LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ON ABORTION IN UGANDA
HRAPF conducted three dialogues on general SRHR and the legal and policy framework on abortion with university students from Soroti University on 20th October 2022. Another was held on 21st October 2022 with students from Makerere University and on 22nd October 2022 with students from Islamic University in Uganda - Kampala campus. The dialogues reached out to 319 students in total.
The aim of this dialogue is to raise awareness among university students on the legal and policy framework on abortion in Uganda as well as the public health implications of abortion in Uganda.
AWARENESS SESSIONS WITH ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN ON THE LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ON ABORTION IN UGANDA
HRAPF convened two awareness sessions on 6th and 7th December 2022 with 105 Adolescent girls and young women in Bududa district.
DIALOGUES WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS ON THE SRHR NEEDS OF INTERSEX PERSONS IN UGANDA
HRAPF in partnership with SIPD Uganda convened two dialogues on the SRHR needs and concerns of intersex persons on 11th October 2022 and on 11th November 2022 with key stakeholders from Uganda AIDS Commission, Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA), Ministry of Education and Sports, the Equal Opportunities Commission, Uganda Police Force, National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. The dialogues reached out to a total of 61 participants.
SUPPORT TO MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO DISSEMINATE GUIDELINES FOR DROP IN CENTERS IN THE WESTERN REGION
HRAPF supported the Ministry of Health to hold dissemination meetings on the Drop In Centres (DIC) Guidelines in Mbarara, Kasese, Kabarole and Kabale districts from 5th - 8th December 2022.
The dissemination meetings were intended to create awareness of the new guidelines and procedures on managing DICs in order to improve the quality of services provided in the DICs for key population communities.
QUARTERLY MEETING FOR THE KEY AND PRIORITY STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE UGANDA AIDS COMMISSION
HRAPF facilitated one meeting of the Key and Priority Population Steering Committee of the Uganda AIDS Commission. This was held on 25th October 2022. This meeting was attended by 53 committee members which included representatives from the various KP communities, Ministry of health and Uganda AIDS Commission.
This meeting discussed how KPs can participate in creating a conducive environment free from discrimination in health service provision and creating a platform for key population to share data and review health services provision in the context of HIV financing and expenditures.
From the meeting, various methods were discussed on how data on key populations would be collected and consolidated to allow proper planning and allocation of finances as far as key populations are concerned.
SRHR ADVOCACY TRAINING FOR INTERSEX PERSONS IN UGANDA
HRAPF conducted two trainings on SRHR Advocacy for 30 intersex persons from across Uganda. One training was conducted from 5th to 7th October 2022 and the second training was conducted from 27th to 30th November 2022.
KYOTO CONVENINGS FOR RIGHTS HOLDERS
HRAPF convened safe spaces for intersex persons and LBQ women to discuss their unique SRHR issues as well as key points for advocacy for their respective communities.
One convening was held in partnership with HER internet on 18th October 2022 and it was attended by 20 LBQ women. Two convenings in partnership with SIPD Uganda were held on 17th October and 8th December 2022 with intersex persons from Kampala and Tororo respectively.
COMMUNITY PARALEGAL TRAINING PROGRAMME
PARALEGAL TRAININGS
In the fourth quarter, HRAPF conducted the second module of the paralegal training for 10 participants from 21st to 25th November 2022. This cohort includes participants from the LGBT and intersex communities.
SUPPORT TO PARALEGALS TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES
During the period, HRAPF supported one community paralegal from the LGBT community was supported to pursue their Bachelor's degree in Law.
WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS FOR DUTY BEARERS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND MARGINALISATION
The promotion and protection of human rights for all requires the engagement and inclusion of various stakeholders. Therefore, during the quarter, we engaged with various duty bearers. These engagements were aimed at creating more awareness of human rights-based approaches as well as the effects of marginalisation on the observance of human rights for marginalised, vulnerable, and most at-risk populations.
POLICE OFFICERS TRAINING WORKSHOPS
During the quarter, we conducted 3 training workshops on the legal and policy framework on abortion in Uganda in Bududa on 5th and 27th October 2022 and on 10th November 2022 in Kitgum district. A total of 90 police officers were engaged during these workshops.
During the period, we conducted one training workshop on the legal and policy framework on drug use in Uganda in Bukedi district on 24th November 2022 reaching out to 30 police officers.
LOCAL COUNCIL LEADERS TRAINING WORKSHOPS
During the period, HRAPF conducted one training workshop on 28th November 2022 with 14 Local council leaders from Kampala. The local leaders were enlightened on the concept of marginalisation and a human rights of Key Populations in their communities.
HEALTH WORKERS TRAININGS
HRAPF conducted 4 training workshops on access to health services and SRHR needs of Key Populations with health workers from 4 districts in Uganda. In Nakasongola district on 14th September 2022, Kiboga district on 30th November 2022, in Buikwe district on 8th December 2022 and in Mbarara on 13th December 2022. A total of 128 health workers were engaged in the training workshops.
HRAPF also conducted 3 training workshops for health workers on the legal and policy framework on abortion in Bududa district on 4th and 5th October 2022 and in Kitgum district on 9th November 2022. The workshops reached out to 83 health workers in total.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO KEY POPULATION ORGANISATIONS
During the period, HRAPF assisted 2 KP organisations to file their annual returns for the period of 2020 to 2021.
In the quarter, we also continued to assist 5 KP organisations to register as Non-Government organisations. The registration of these organisations is still ongoing.
During the period, HRAPF conducted 3 regional trainings for KP CSOs on the regulatory framework, cooperate governance and financial management. The first training was held on 7th December 2022 in Mbale, attended by 11 persons. The second training was held in Mbale on 8th December, attended by 10 persons and the final training was held in Mbarara on 30th December, 2022, attended by 26 persons.
In the period, HRAPF also conducted two security assessment and monitoring meetings were held with leaders of the LGBT and sex workers’ communities. The first meeting was held on the 29th of October 2022, attended by 51 participants, and the final meeting was held on the 6th of December 2022, attended by 38 participants.
HRAPF SECRETARIAT ACTIVITIES
STAFF BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS
During the period, we celebrated birthdays for October, November and December babies. In the period, we also celebrate a baby shower for Gorreti Babirye and Hilda Oyella.
We also bid farewell to our intern for the period, Sikoyo Tumaine a law student from Makerere University and Emmanuel Mandebo and Okello Isaac who were Clerkship students from the Law Development Center.
HRAPF also celebrated the wedding of our Head of Operations Mr. Enos Kanyesigye in Sembabule district.
HRAPF staff sworn in as BOD member of LASPNET
During the period, Ms. Flavia Zalwango, the Programme Director of Research and Advocacy was sworn in as a Board member of our partner organisations LASPNET.
END OF YEAR STAFF PARTY
We also celebrate the HRAPF end of year staff party at Kalanoga Resort where Hilda Byakwaga was announced as the staff of the year 2022. David Luswata was the second runner up and Francis Xavier Bagonza was voted the most improved staff of the year 2022. During the staff party, the Late Anthony Mutimba was also awarded the lifetime achievement award for his selfless service to HRAPF for over 10 years. His family received the award on his behalf.
HRAPF STAFF TRAINING ON MONITORING, DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
HRAPF held a basic monitoring, documentation and reporting training for its staff to re-orient them on the principles and required skills for effective monitoring, documenting and reporting (MDR) of human rights violations of our target beneficiaries.
The 5 day intensive training was conducted on 15th to 18th November 2022 with 22 staff in the different programs with 90% of the participants being lawyers.
CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON THE HRAPF STRATEGIC PLAN
During the period, HRAPF commenced the development of our new strategic plan 2023-2027. A meeting with various stakeholders including; HRAPF strategic partners, trustees, members, BOD members and HRAPF staff was conducted.
The meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the 2018-2022 Strategic plan and brainstorm on the new HRAPF strategic plan in order to achieve the organisation's vision and overall theory of change that would guide the strategic direction of HRAPF in the next 5 years. In this meeting, we also reviewed HRAPF’s current vision, mission, strategic objectives and interventions.
HRAPF AWARDS OF RECOGNITION
Dr Adrian Jjuuko received the award for the Human Rights Defender and Ally of 2021-2022 at the AHEA awards. The award recognises individual activists and Human Rights Defenders that display an outstanding commitment to the LGBT and sex worker community in East Africa. Many thanks to our partners Sanyu Hajarah Batte and Williams Apako for delivering the award.
HOSTING HRAPF PARTNER FROM CISU
It was a pleasure hosting our partner from Civil Society in Development Denmark (CISU) for a two day exchange sharing, learning and monitoring visit. The visit was an opportunity to assess HRAPF’s progress under the HIV prevention, resilience and wellbeing among KPs in Malawi and Uganda project and to share change stories and interventions under the project.
PUBLICATIONS
During the quarter, we commisioned a number of researches
- Simplified guide to registration of NGOs in Uganda
- The community score card to investigate the accessibility of health and social services for LGBTI persons in Mbale District
- The needs assessment of the SRHR needs of intersex persons in Uganda
- Mapping of KP friendly health centers in the Western region
PRESS STATEMENTS
HRAPF published two press statements in the commemoration on World AIDS Day on 1st December 2022 and International Human Rights Day on 10th December 2022.
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