The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda (NCHRD-U) on Tuesday launched the 2022 Civic Space Index Uganda report.
The 52-page document provides an analysis of the state of space for Civil Society and citizen activism in Uganda in the year 2022.
The 2022 Civic Space Index study report concludes that Uganda’s Civic Space is restricted and, therefore, provides a condensed assessment of how state actions have impacted the environment to the extent to which human rights defenders and other civil society organizations (CSOs) now have limited space to speak, access information, associate, organize, and participate in public decision-making without fear of unlawful restrains persecution or harassment.
According to NCHRD-U which is dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights defenders in Uganda, civic space is a cornerstone of open, democratic societies and a prerequisite for good governance.
Speaking at the report launch held at Protea Hotel by Kampala Skyz in Naguru, Richard Nelson, the USAID/Uganda Mission Director, noted that the Civic Space Index 2022 Report is extraordinary because it highlights the views of Ugandans who are at the frontline of advocating for democracy and human rights.
Overall, the majority of the respondents (73.3%) felt Uganda is not heading in the right direction as regards providing rights and practising the same while 15% of the respondents said the country was headed in the right direction.
The report ranked Uganda’s police force as the least trusted institution in Uganda.
“The Uganda police force was ranked as the least trusted institution in Uganda. The director of prosecutions, magistrates courts and high court were also singled out as not trustworthy as regard upholding the rule of law and supporting the exercise of civil liberties,” reads the report.
A 2020 World International Security and Police Index (WISPI) reportedly ranked Uganda Police as the kindest police force in the world.
in the same year, the Fourth National Integrity Survey report ranked the police as the most corrupt institution in Uganda.
According to the 2022 Civic Space Index study report, concerned perceptions were attributed to the presence and use of repressive laws such as the anti-gay law and police brutality.
Robert Kirenga, the Executive Director of NCHRD-U, noted that the civic space index is a test of Article 38 of the Constitution which gives people the right to participate in the governance affairs of the country.
Three dimensions out of five were ranked as restricted; freedom of information and expression, rights of assembly and association and human rights/rule of law.
“This gives the conclusion that generally the civic space in Uganda is restricted. 86.9% of the respondents ranked human rights/rule of law as the most violated right among the civic space dimensions. This was followed by rights to information and freedom of expression, another dimension that 75.4% of the respondents chose because of the way the media institutions were used,” reads the report.
The report showed that media freedoms are not guaranteed by law and respected in practice as the respondents overwhelmingly said NO (77.4%) with only 19.4 affirming that they are guaranteed and protected in practice.
It was recommended that NCHRD-U takes the lead in mobilising and coordinating their constituency of human rights defenders in constructive dialogue on issues of concern to the various thematic constituencies and subregional areas they represent.
“We urge the various pillars of government to listen to the citizens and review and amend the restive provisions on several legal instruments that curtail civic space and replace them with more enabling provisions that are in tandem with international standards and norms,” the report recommended.
It added: “Civil society organisations to focus on the strengthening and creation of local links with the grassroots communities with a view of creating spaces for improving citizens’ participation in civic affairs.”
