The government of Uganda, has decided not to renew the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (HCHR) contract in Uganda stating that the country can handle its own human rights protection and promotion.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda is in position to promote, protect human rights, because of the country’s prevailing peace and strong national human rights institutions, as well as a vibrant civil society with the capacity to monitor and maintain human rights throughout the country.
According to a statement released by the Ministry, it is with that background, and in accordance with article 68, that it was no longer necessary to renew the mandate beyond the current term.
However, Uganda will continue its cooperation with its headquarters directly through its permanent mission in Geneva.
The office of UN commissioner for human rights was established in Uganda in 2006, which was initially allowed to focus only on human rights issues in conflict-plagued areas in northern and north eastern Uganda. After which its mandate was extended to the whole country.
However since inception, according to the ministry, Uganda has established various human rights organizations that handle human rights protection.
The organizations include the Police Standards Unit (PSU) which holds accountable police officers who abuse human rights. Uganda also established the Uganda Human Rights Commission, to protect the rights of citizens.
Uganda also established the Civil Society Organization which works with other human rights organization such as the Uganda Human Rights Foundation to protect and promote human rights in Uganda.
With those and countless more organizations protecting and promoting human rights, Uganda therefore is in position to handle any matters related to human rights according to the ministry.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is confident that the country will promote, protect, and uphold all citizens’ human rights.
