Dear Reader,
Happy New Year 2024!!
We are happy to share with you the 12th issue of the Spotlight Newsletter which provides highlights of HRAPF's interventions during the fourth quarter of 2023 (October to December 2023).
The past year was a particularly difficult period for our communities, and yet despite the hurdles, our team has demonstrated extraordinary strength and determination in the face of adversity. The challenges of the year, and of the quarter in particular, called on us to once again exhibit our resilience, dedication and unwavering commitment to our vision of contributing to a society where human rights for all persons, including Key populations, are valued, respected, and protected.
The end of 2023 also marked one year of implementation of our new strategic plan 2023/2027. In 2023, HRAPF implemented activities under four programme areas which were: Access to Justice; Advocacy and Influencing; Community Capacity Enhancement; and the Center for Law and Marginalisation.
HRAPF continues to provide legal aid services to all our target groups, including LGBT+ persons. Those with legal challenges can physically come to our offices or reach out to our Rapid Response team through our Toll free line 0800130683.
Here's to a year of progress, justice, and compassion.
Enjoy your read!
ACCESS TO JUSTICE
LEGAL AID SERVICE PROVISION
HRAPF offers free legal aid services to sex workers, PWUIDs, LGBT 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 challenges and women and girls living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS.
During the 4th quarter, we provided legal support to our communities in 620 cases: 271 cases involving LGBT persons; 177 cases involving sex workers; 118 cases involving PWUID; 38 cases involving GBV and 16 cases involving land justice issues.
The actions taken in addressing these cases benefited a total of 944 people. 324 persons benefited in cases involving LGBT; 262 benefited in cases involving sex worker cases; 193 persons benefited in cases involving PWUIDs; 139 persons benefited from actions taken to address reported GBV incidents and 26 persons benefited in cases involving PLWHIV and elderly and indigent person with land justice challenges.
IMPACT OF THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT, 2023 ON THE NUMBER AND NATURE OF CASES INVOLVING LGBT+ PERSONS
The Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023 continued to have a devastating impact on the rights and lives of LGBT+ persons in Uganda throughout the quarter. HRAPF has, through the legal aid clinic, continued to offer necessary support, although we note with concern the trend in increasing cases of violence and human rights violations against individuals on the basis of their real of presumed SOGIE.
In October 2023, HRAPF handled a total of 83 cases, out of which 64 cases involved actions that directly targeted people for negative treatment on the basis of their SOGIE, representing 77.1% of all the cases handled during the month. By comparison, a 72.1% of the 68 cases handled in September and 66.2% of the 71 cases handled in August involved actions that deliberately targeted persons on the basis of their real or presumed SOGIE, indicating a notable increase in October. Out of the 64 cases in which LGBT+ persons were specifically targeted for detrimental treatment in October, 28 were cases of violence and threats of violence, 27 were cases of evictions from properties, 6 were arrests for sexuality-related reasons and 3 were cases of extortion. These actions affected a total of 85 individuals.
This number dropped to 69 in November, of which 39 cases involved actions of deliberate homophobia, representing 56.95% of all cases handled. The actions in these cases affected 43 persons compared to 85 in October 2023, a decrease by almost one-half. Out of the 39 cases in which LGBT+ persons were specifically targeted for detrimental treatment, 20 were cases of unlawful evictions from rented properties affecting 24 persons, 9 were cases of violence and threats of violence affecting 10 persons, 7 were arrests for sexuality–related reasons affecting 7 persons while 3 were civil matters reported by LGBT+ persons where they had been discriminated due to their sexuality, affecting 3 persons.
The trend continued in December, with a total of 83 cases handled, out of which 47 (56.6%) involved actions that deliberately targeted individuals for detrimental treatment based on their SOGIE. Out of the 47 cases in which LGBTQ people were specifically targeted for detrimental treatment during December 2023, 27 were cases of unlawful evictions from rented properties and villages of residence, 14 were cases of violence and threats of violence and 6 were arrests for sexuality-related reasons. These actions affected a total of 62 individuals. Despite the high number of cases reported overall, it is worth noting that the number of cases of deliberately homophobic actions remained relatively low in December as compared to the overall total number of cases, giving hope of a possible end to the extreme violence that LGBTQ people suffered in the second and third quarters of 2023.
ACCESS THE REPORTS HERE
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS
LEGAL AID CAMPS
One legal aid camp was held in Kigungu on 12th December 2023. The camp was attended by 35 persons.
PARALEGAL SHARING SESSIONS
One joint end of year paralegal sharing session was conducted on 19th December 2023 with paralegals representing the PWUIDs and sex workers community. The sharing session was attended by 40 paralegals. The joint end of year sharing session for paralegals working with the LGBTQ community was also held on 22nd December 2023, attended by 36 paralegals.
Two paralegal sharing sessions were conducted with community paralegals based in the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement camp on 2nd and 12th December. Each sharing session was attended by 10 participants.
The paralegal sharing sessions are used as an avenue for the community paralegals to share their experiences and challenges during the quarter, seek solutions and guidance from the lawyers and from fellow community paralegals who may be experiencing similar challenges and mutually encourage and support one another. For the end of year sharing sessions, however, it was also an opportunity to celebrate the year that had passed, socialise and recognise community paralegals who had stood out in the course of the year.
AWARENESS SESSIONS WITH SEX WORKERS
Two awareness sessions were held with sex workers in Bugiri district on 21st November, attended by 32 persons, and in Iganga district on 23rd November, attended by 21 persons.
AWARENESS SESSIONS WITH PWUIDS
During the quarter, two awareness sessions were held with PWUIDs in Bukomero on 8th December 2023, attended by 24 persons, and in Nateete on 9th December 2023, attended by 29 persons.
AWARENESS SESSIONS WITH PLWHIV
In the period, we conducted one awareness session for PLWHIV in Kiboga on 19th December 2023. It was attended by 83 participants.
AWARENESS SESSIONS WITH REFUGEES
8 awareness sessions were conducted with refugees in the period. The awareness sessions were each attended by 50 participants.
CENTER ON LAW AND MARGINALISATION
The Center on Law and Marginalisation was established under the new HRAPF strategic plan 2023 – 2027 to promote a sustained development of knowledge and jurisprudence for the promotion and protection of human rights of marginalised persons and key populations. The strategic objective is to build a center of excellence on research and strategic litigation for the promotion and protection of rights of marginalised persons and Key Populations.
STRATEGIC LITIGATION
HRAPF organised 6 legal strategising meetings in preparation for the court hearing of the Constitutional petition No. 15 of 2023, and the other three petitions challenging the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, and coordinated 12 meetings with different partners to discuss status of the petitions and all applications that arose therefrom. HRAPF also made four court appearances in Constitutional Petition No. 15 of 2023 before the Registrar for Conferencing inter parties for hearing. The matter is now awaiting judgment.
Scheduling notes in Reference No. 29 of 2023 (challenging the passing of the AHA 2023 in Uganda) were also drafted and filed at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). The matter is pending a hearing and we plan to have a case follow up meeting with the Registrar of court in Arusha in February 2024.
Scheduling notes in Reference No. 29 of 2023 were also drafted and filed at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). The matter is pending a hearing and we plan to have a case follow up meeting with the Registrar of Court in Arusha in February.
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
In the period, HRAPF commissioned the following publications;
- Evaluation of the Accessibility of Quality Legal Aid Services for Key Populations in Uganda was concluded and the study report was developed.
- The Assessment of the Impact of Punitive Laws on PWUIDs commenced and data collection is ongoing.
ADVOCACY AND INFLUENCING ENGAGEMENTS
HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUES ON MARGINALISATION
During the period, we conducted one dialogue with various stakeholders in Gulu on access to services for Key Populations on 4th October 2023. The dialogue was attended by 30 stakeholders from the district, including the District Health Officer, the Resident City Commissioner, and members of the district health team and district council leaders.
ENGAGEMENTS ON ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO ACCESS TO SAFE ABORTION SERVICES
HRAPF was part of a public debate in partnership with HURIPEC and the Women’s Probono Initiative on access to safe abortion services for women and girls in Uganda. The dialogue was conducted on 4th October 2023. Dr. Adrian Jjuuko, who represented HRAPF, was part of a panel together with Ms. Primah Kwagala and Dr. Daniel Ruhweza that discussed the socio-legal challenges hindering access to safe abortion services. The event was held in commemoration of the international safe abortion day.
ENGAGEMENTS ON THE CURRENT LEGAL FRAMEWORK
One online meeting was conducted on 8th November 2023. The meeting was attended by 30 participants, including KP CSO leaders and representatives from the Ministry of Health. The community members were updated on the different engagements that HRAPF, the Convening for Equality and the Ministry of Health had been engaged in during the quarter to address some of the challenges posed by the unfavourable legal environment.
ENGAGEMENTS DURING THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM
HRAPF participated in the launch of the 16 Days of Activism on 23rd November 2023 at Zone 5 grounds in the Bidibidi refugee settlement, as well as the crowning of the 16 Days of Activism on 11th December 2023. These were organised with partners providing support services to residents of the settlement and their host communities, including the Office of the Prime Minister and the UNHCR.
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY
HRAPF attended the 77th session of the African Commission of Human and People’s rights from 19th to 29th October 2023, at which we presented a statement on the human rights situation for marginalised communities in Uganda. Uganda’s 6th Country Report to the Commission was reviewed at this session, and HRAPF was able to highlight the continuing negative impact of the AHA on the rights of marginalised communities in Uganda. HRAPF was represented by Mr. Edward Ssemambo and Ms. Flavia Zalwango at this session.
Dr. Adrian Jjuuko and Mr. Edward Ssemambo represented us at the East African Law Society Conference in Burundi from 20th to 24th November 2023.
HRAPF also participated in the Global Fund implementer’s security workshop in Pretoria from 28th November to 1st December 2023, where we were represented by Ms. Alice Nambalirwa and Ms. Flavia Zalwango.
Dr. Adrian Jjuuko also represented HRAPF at a convening in the campaign to decriminalise poverty and status, at which the anti-rights backlash we are currently experiencing was discussed, and strategies laid for addressing the more radical anti-rights agenda. The convening took place from 10th to 15th December 2023.
CONVENINGS WITH RIGHTS HOLDERS
HRAPF in conjunction with SIPD Uganda conducted one convening with the intersex community from Gulu district on 5th October 2023. This convening was a safe space for the rights holders to open up and share about their SRHR needs and experiences as intersex persons as well as learn about the various SRHR concepts. The convening was attended by 11 intersex persons
FEEDBACK MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS
Two meetings were conducted with health service providers in Mbale district. One meeting was conducted on 29th November 2023 and it was attended by 33 participants. A second meeting was conducted on 30th November 2023 and was attended by 34 participants. The meetings were attended by health workers from various health centers in Mbale district as well as community peer leaders.
MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS
HRAPF conducted 12 radio talk shows in the quarter on various radio stations, including NBS Khodeyo FM, Radio Pacis FM, CBS FM, Simba FM, Arua One FM and Radio One. The shows focused on discussing the access to justice and health services needs of Key Populations in Uganda.
HRAPF also appeared as a panelist on 1 TV talk show with COHERINET on the legal and policy framework on abortion in Uganda.
PRESS STATEMENTS
COMMUNITY CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT
COMMUNITY PARALEGAL TRAINING PROGRAMME
PARALEGAL TRAININGS
HRAPF continued to empower communities to advance their own rights through the training of peer leaders as community paralegals. During the quarter, the paralegal training for PWUIDs was completed, with the second module of the training happening from 11th to 15th November 2023 while the third module was held from 20th to 24th November 2023 in Kampala. 8 community paralegals were awarded certificates after the successful completion of the 3rd module.
In the quarter, the 1st module of the KP community paralegal training was also conducted from 27th November to 1st December 2023 in Kampala, and it was attended by 10 trainees, who are expected to complete their training in the next quarter.
For the community of sex workers, 8 community paralegals were taken through the three modules of the paralegal training and were awarded certificates of completion. The first module of the training was conducted from 11th to 15th December; the second module was held from 16th to 19th December and the final module was held from 27th to 30th December; upon completion of which the fully trained paralegals were awarded certificates of completion.
SUPPORT TO PARALEGALS TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES
HRAPF supported one community paralegal to pursue a diploma in law at the Law Development Center. In the same period, one new community paralegal was awarded a scholarship to pursue a degree in Law at Cavendish University.
WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS FOR DUTY BEARERS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND MARGINALISATION
Duty bearers play a crucial role in safeguarding and promoting human rights for all individuals, including marginalised persons and Key Populations. HRAPF therefore routinely holds several workshops on human rights and marginalisation with various duty bearers. These engagements aim at fostering a deeper appreciation of human rrights-basedapproaches in service delivery and the effects of marginalisation on the rights of marginalised, vulnerable and most-at-risk populations among those responsible for upholding and implementing human rights standards
POLICE OFFICERS WORKSHOPS
During the quarter, 7 training workshops were conducted on KP issues, the concept of marginalisation, the concept of human rights and the law on drug use in Kyankwanzi, Nakasongola, Amolatar, Mbarara City and Kampala Capital City. A total of 164 police officers were engaged in these workshops.
1 training workshop was conducted on the legal framework governing abortion in Bududa district on 28th November 2023 reaching a total of 30 police officers.
WORKSHOPS FOR JOURNALISTS
Journalists play a crucial role in shaping public perception and it is therefore important to equip them with knowledge on employing a human rights-based approach to reporting stories on marginalised persons in a way that does not further marginalise them. On 19th October 2023, HRAPF conducted one training workshop with journalists from various media houses. The training reached out to a total of 14 journalists.
HEALTH WORKERS WORKSHOPS
HRAPF conducted 4 training workshops for healthcare providers during the quarter. These training workshops were conducted in Kabale, Gulu, Masaka and Wakiso. A total of 120 health workers were engaged in the trainings.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO KEY POPULATION ORGANISATIONS
Five NGO compliance training workshops were conducted with 10 KP organisations. The participants were equipped with knowledge on security and safety, human rights, compliance with the NGO regulatory regime in Uganda human rights monitoring and documentation.
In the period, we also conducted two trainings on the use of tools for crisis response for Key Populations. One training for 20 PWUIDs was conducted on 17th-18th October 2023; one training for 28 sex workers was conducted on 30th November-1st December 2023; and one training for sexual and gender minorities was conducted in Wakiso on 5th-6th December 2023.
Three organisations were supported to file annual returns and 3 organisations were supported to file resolutions. Four KP organisations were also supported to conduct financial audits.
Three KP organisations were supported to hold their Annual General Meetings and two organisations were also supported to hold their Board of Directors meetings.
HRAPF SECRETARIAT ACTIVITIES
HRAPF AWARDS
In the quarter, HRAPF was honoured with two awards by our partners. One award was presented by Trans Youth Initiative in recognition of our contribution towards providing legal aid to rural-based transgender and gender-diverse youth in Western Uganda.
The Uganda Network on Law Ethics and HIV/AIDS (UGANET) also presented us with an award for our role in addressing human rights-related barriers to access to HIV services for Key Populations in Uganda.
STAFF BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS
During the period, we celebrated birthdays for staff members born in October, November, and December 2023. The staff also held a special celebration of the birthday of HRAPF's Executive Director, Dr. Adrian Jjuuko, in the month of October.
We also celebrated with staff on their various achievements during the quarter, particularly the staff who welcomed new additions to their families in the period.
END OF YEAR STAFF PARTY
As is our practice annually, HRAPF held an end of year staff party on 22nd December 2023. The party was an opportunity for HRAPF staff to reflect and celebrate our shared accomplishments in 2023. The party was attended by HRAPF staff and representatives from HRAPF Boards of Trustees and Directors.
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of outstanding achievements of some individual team members. Ms. Gorretti Babirye was voted as the Staff of the Year 2023, with Ms. Saidah Nakilima as the runner up. Ms. Flavia Zalwango was selected as the most improved staff for 2023, and Mr. Edward Mwebaza was recognised for his special contribution to HRAPF in 2023 as well as his dedicated service to HRAPF for the past 10 years.
For us, the End-of-Year Staff Party is more than just a celebration; it is a reaffirmation of our shared values, dedication to justice, and the bonds that make our organisation a force for positive change. As we step into a new year, let's carry the spirit of unity and celebration forward, continuing to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve.
Thank you to all our partners and friends for contributing to HRAPF's success in 2023.
Here's to a bright and promising future together!