Dear Reader
We are pleased to share with you our seventh issue of the Spotlight Newsletter which highlights the activities for the third quarter from 1st July to 30th September 2022.
HRAPF implements its activities under four main programmatic areas: Access to Justice; Research and Advocacy; Community Capacity Enhancement; and Institutional Development.
Our interventions during the quarter were hinged on the above-mentioned programs and their strategies. We hope that you enjoy reading this edition of The Spotlight!
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 operated in partnership with HOPE Mbale in Mbale; the Northern regional legal aid centre operated in partnership with Health and Rights Initiative in Lira; and the Western region legal aid centre operated in partnership with 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 the HRAPF satellite office in Bidibidi refugee settlement in Yumbe district. The other cases were handled by community paralegals under the guidance of HRAPF lawyers.
In the third quarter, the Access to Justice Programme handled a total of 488 cases. 227 cases concerned sex workers; 114 were cases involving PWUIDs; 109 cases concerned LGBT persons; 18 cases involved persons living with and affected by HIV; 16 were cases of GBV from Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement camp; 4 cases involved women, girls and health workers in contravention with abortion laws. Of these, 214 cases were handled by Community Paralegals; 156 cases were handled at the main legal aid clinic; 97 cases were handled at the regional legal aid centers (North – 42; East – 32; West – 23); 12 at the LBQ legal aid desk and 9 at the Transgender and Gender non-conforming desk.
The actions taken in responding to these cases benefited a total of 820 persons, of whom 323 were sex workers; 217 benefitted cases involving PWUIDs; 184 persons benefitted from LGBTI cases; 57 in HIV cases; 22 involved survivors of Gender Based Violence; 16 benefited from cases involving land justice issues and 1 person benefitted from an abortion case.
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.
HRAPF conducted two dialogues with local council leaders from Kabuusu on 14th July 2022 attended by 26 participants and on 6th August 2022 in Bwaise which was attended by 27 participants.
During the period, 9 mediations were conducted with local leaders in HIV and Land client cases.
UPDATE ON THE CASE CHALLENGING IDLE AND DISORDERLY LAWS IN UGANDA
HRAPF went to court for the constitutional hearing of The case of Francis Tumwesige Ateenyi v Attorney General, Constitutional Petition No. 36 of 2018 which challenges the constitutionality of sections 168(1)(c) and 168(1)(d) of the Penal Code of Uganda. The case was heard by the Constitutional Court of Uganda sitting in Kampala on 19th September 2022.
The petitioner was represented by Dr. Adrian Jjuuko from HRAPF and Stella Nakamya from Rwakafuuzi and Co. Advocates and the petitioner, Francis Tumwesige Ateenyi was present in court appearing jointly with counsel. The judges reserved judgment which will be delivered on notice.
HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY
MOBILE LEGAL AID CAMPS
During the quarter, we conducted one legal aid camp for sex workers in Kitgum district on 14th September 2022 that reached out to 40 sex workers.
ENGAGEMENTS WITH COMMUNITY PARALEGALS
In the period, we conducted 2 paralegal sharing sessions. One with sex workers attended by 20 sex workers and another one that reached out to 22 PWUIDs on 12th August 2022.
AWARENESS SESSIONS FOR PLWHIV
During the quarter, we conducted 1 awareness sessions that reached out to 74 persons on 6th September 2022 at Kituntu Health Centers.
AWARENESS SESSIONS WITH SEX WORKERS
In the period, we conducted five awareness sessions reaching out to 149 sex workers in Dokolo, Kabalagala, Elegu, and Kitagwenda.
AWARENESS SESSIONS WITH DRUG USERS
We conducted 2 awareness sessions with Persons who use and inject drugs in Lugala and Nabweru. The sessions conducted reached out to a total of 71 drug users.
AWARENESS SESSIONS FOR LGBT PERSONS
During the period, HRAPF convened a total of 12 awareness sessions reaching out to 350 LGBT persons in Kampala, Mbale, Bushenyi, Fort Portal, Gulu, Malaba and Mityana. The awareness sessions were convened in August and September 2022.
TRAINING FOR MONITORS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
HRAPF conducted a training for 29 LGBT persons and sex workers from 1st to 2nd September 2022. The training reached out to 15 sex workers and 14 LGBTI persons who were trained on monitoring and documenting human rights violations in their respective communities.
COMMUNITY PARALEGAL TRAINING PROGRAMME
PARALEGAL TRAININGS
During the quarter, we conducted the first module training for paralegals from the LGBT community from 26th to 30th September 2022. The first module of the paralegal training focuses on an introduction to the legal system in Uganda.
SUPPORT TO PARALEGALS TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES
During the period, one community paralegal was selected for the scholarship to study a diploma in law from the LBQ community.
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 TRAININGS
HRAPF conducted 5 police training workshops on marginalisation that reached out to 104 senior police officers from Mbale on 18th July 2022, Tororo on 21st July 2022, Lira on 23rd August 2022 and in Gulu on 1st September 2022 and 30th September 2022.
HRAPF also conducted two training workshops on the legal and policy framework on abortion for police officers in Kitgum and Bududa on 28th September 2022 and 4th October 2022 respectively. The trainings reached out to 60 police officers.
LOCAL COUNCIL LEADERS TRAINING WORKSHOPS
During the quarter, we also conducted 2 training workshops reaching out to 40 local council leaders from Fort Portal on 6th September 2022 and in Kitgum on 8th September 2022. The local leaders were enlightened on the concept of marginalisation and a human rights of Key Populations in their communities.
HEALTH WORKERS TRAININGS
During the quarter, we conducted four training workshops for health workers on KP issues and the legal and policy framework on abortion in Uganda. 59 Health workers from Kitgum and in Bududa.
During the period, we also trained a total of 65 health workers. These were from Wakiso on 7th September and from Dokolo on 26th September. They were trained on the concept of marginalisation, human rights of key populations and provision of friendly, stigma-free services to Key Populations.
Dialogues with Key Stakeholders and LGBT persons from the Central region on marginalisation
On 20th September 2022, HRAPF conducted a dialogue with Key health stakeholders from the Central region on marginalisation and access to stigma of LGBT persons in the Central region.
The discussion focused mainly on policy gaps and general situation on SRHR for LGBT+ persons with Ministry of Health- Reproductive Health and National Disease control departments and other stakeholders.
The dialogue was attended by 20 participants from the Kampala Capital City Authority, Ministry of Health of Uganda and representatives from the LGBT Community in Central region.
Dialogue with stakeholders on SRHR needs of intersex persons in Uganda
HRAPF in partnership with SIPD Uganda convened a dialogue on 23rd September 2022 with various stakeholders to discuss access to SRHR for intersex persons in Uganda. The dialogue was attended by 27 participants from Uganda AIDS Commission, KCCA, and representatives from the Intersex community.
Dialogue with the Equal Opportunities Commission on Marginalisation and the rights of LGBTI persons in Uganda
In a bid to reduce the legal, policy, social, and structural barriers that impede access to equal opportunities for Key Population persons in Uganda, HRAPF conducted a dialogue on 15th September 2022 with staff from the Equal Opportunities Commission. The dialogue was attended by 30 participants.
The dialogue was convened for the EOC members to understand the concept of marginalisation, human rights and how the EOC can protect and support equal opportunities for marginalised communities. The dialogue was also used to strengthen the working relationship between HRAPF and the EOC in engaging with issues of Key Populations in Uganda.
Courtesy visit to the Uganda Human Rights Commission
HRAPF paid a courtesy visit to the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission on 26th July 2022 to discuss the continuance of our partnership in ensuring the promotion and the protection of human rights of marginalised persons in Uganda. We also handed over various publications and IEC materials on our rights holders to the Chairperson.
Quarterly review meeting of the Global Fund Project with KPs
The meeting was conducted on 20th August 2022 and was attended by 15 representatives from MSM, sex worker, transgender, and PWUIDs civil society organisations.
The purpose of the meeting was to update representatives from Key Population organisations on the progress of HRAPF’s interventions under the Global Fund project and to seek feedback from the community leaders on the implementation of activities.
Dialogue with the Mental Health and Substance control division of the Ministry of Health on the guidelines of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances control (NDPSCA)
HRAPF developed draft The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Health Sector) Regulations, 2021. The regulations were presented to the relevant technical working groups of the Ministry of Health. In order to ensure that the regulations have the input of all relevant stakeholders and to ensure that the regulations are of the required standard, HRAPF engaged the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Control Division of the Ministry of Health.
The meeting was conducted on 1st August 2022 and was attended by 24 participants from the Uganda Psychiatric Association, private psychiatric clinics, Makerere University, Butabika Hospital, the Ministry of Health, Infectious Diseases Institute, Uganda AIDS Commission, Police and Civil Society Organisations.
ADVOCACY TRAININGS FOR RIGHTS HOLDERS
Advocacy training of LGBT persons
HRAPF conducted one training for advocacy change agents for LGBT rights in Mbale district.
SRHR Advocacy training for LBQ women in Uganda
One training for 15 LBQ women from Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Apac, Gulu, Lira, Mbarara and Jinja. The training was conducted from 15th to 18th August 2022. The training equipped the young LBQ women with knowledge to engage in advocacy for access to SRHR services for the LBQ community.
KYOTO CONVENINGS WITH RIGHTS HOLDERS
During the period, HRAPF convened safe spaces for LBQ women and intersex persons to discuss the pertinent SRHR issues of their respective communities which were held in the traditional way around a fireplace known in Luganda as ekyoto.
Three kyoto convenings were conducted with LBQ organisations namely; queer women leaders on 10th September that reached out to 18 LBQ women, on 17th September 2022 with Rights4 Her Uganda reaching out to 20 LBQ women and on 29th September 2022 with Resilience Gulu reaching out to 19 LBQ women. These convenings were safe spaces to discuss emerging SRHR issues for LBQ women.
HRAPF also convened one kyoto convening with 15 intersex persons on 9th September 2022 in collaboration with SIPD Uganda to discuss SRHR issues of intersex persons in Uganda.
COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL SAFE ABORTION DAY 2022
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO KEY POPULATION ORGANISATIONS
During the period, HRAPF conducted 3 trainings for KP organisations in NGO regulations. A total of 10 KP organisations from the Central, Eastern, Western and Northern region were engaged in these trainings. The participants were equipped with knowledge on the registration and regulations of Non Government Organisations in Uganda.
They were also oriented on the legal, administrative and compliance requirements required of NGOs in Uganda.
In the period, HRAPF supported two KP organisations to conduct their Board of Directors Meetings. HRAPF also supported HOPE Mbale to conduct its 5th Annual General Meeting on 30th September 2022 in Mbale.
HRAPF also conducted one regional training for KP Civil society organisations on the NGO regulatory framework, cooperate governance as well as financial management on 16th September 2022. The training was attended by 40 participants from 20 organisations.
ATTENDING CONFERENCE ON THE DECRIMINALISATION OF STATUS AND POVERTY
HRAPF attended the regional conference on the decriminalisation of status and poverty attended in Cape Town from 27th to 30th September 2022. HRAPF also made a presentation on the Campaign to Decriminalise and Declassify Petty Offences in Uganda.
BERGEN EXCHANGES ON LAW AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION
HRAPF participated in the Bergen Exchanges on Law and Social Transformation in Bergen, Norway from 22nd to 26th August 2022. Dr. Adrian Jjuuko moderated a conversation on Global contestations on Sexuality Politics, Lawfare and Violence and Queer Identities as Political Currency in Autocratisation Processes and Courts as Sites of Resistance. He also launched his latest book on Queer lawfare in Africa co-authored with Prof. Siri Gloppen, Dr. Alan Msosa and Prof. Frans Viljoen.
CONSTELLATIONS FEST ON DRUGS AND HARM REDUCTION
On 29th September 2022, Dr. Adrian Jjuuko was part of a panel discussion at the #ConstellationsFest on advocacy against the use of arbitrary detention of marginalised persons in drug cases organised by the Lawyering on the Margins (LOTM) consortium. The other panelists were Dr. Miriam Estrada-Castillo (Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions, and Giada Girelli of Harm Reduction International. The meeting shed more light on how the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s methods of work could be utilised in advocating against the use of arbitrary detention in drug cases and HRAPF shared its experiences on the case that it successfully pursued at the Working Group.
HRAPF SECRETARIAT ACTIVITIES
HRAPF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HRAPF successfully convened its 13th Annual General meeting on 13th August 2022. HRAPF members, partners and staff convened to discuss HRAPF's interventions in 2021 that were presented by the Board of Directors, Trustees and the Executive Director. Members, staff and partners present also collected over 10 million Uganda shillings to go towards the completion of the HRAPF house.
We are grateful to our partners, members, donors and friends for the continued support towards the achievement of HRAPF's mission and vision of Taking Human Rights to all.
STAFF BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS
During the quarter, we also conducted a number of staff wellness activities including celebration of staff birthdays for (July, August and September babies) and a baby shower for our colleague Saidah Nakilima.
HRAPF AWARDS OF RECOGNITION
PUBLICATIONS
During the quarter, we commissioned a number of researches and reports on a wide range of issues that affect our key constituents. The following are the publications that were undertaken during the quarter:
- The community score card to investigate the accessibility of health and social services for LGBTI persons in Mbale District
- The second quarter newsletter
- Simplified guide for registration under the data protection and privacy Act, 2019; For NGOs working with marginalised persons
- Training manual for Police officers on marginalisation of LGBTI persons in Uganda
- Manual on Crisis response for Key populations in Uganda
LEARNING RESOURCES
Follow the links below to read all the statements, reports, studies, analyses and researches we published this quarter.
CATCH UP WITH US VIA OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
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