Assessing the contribution of national organisations in promotion and protection of human rights in Uganda: a case study of the Uganda Human Rights Commission.

Abstract

The study was about the contribution of National Organizations in promotion and protection of human rights in Uganda; a case study of Uganda Human Rights Commission. The study was guided by the following study objectives; To assess the role that Human Rights Commission plays in promoting and protecting human rights in Uganda, to find out the challenges facing Human Rights Commission in the promotion and protections of Human Rights in Uganda, to establish the possible measures that can be undertaken to improve the promotion and protection of Human Rights in Uganda. The study employed a descriptive research design with a sample size of 86 respondents determined through simple random sampling and purposive sampling in relation with the researcher’s first objective on assessing the role that Human Rights Commission plays in promoting and protecting human rights in Uganda, study findings revealed that, that 22.1% of the respondents strongly disagreed, 14% disagreed, 32.6% agreed and 31.4% strongly agreed. With 64.0% of the respondents in agreement, it means that through the visits to police cells, jails and prisons the Commission has been able to assess and inspect conditions of the inmates which has enabled it make appropriate recommendations to parliament. In line with this objective of finding out the challenges facing Human Rights Commission in the promotion and protections of Human Rights in Uganda, results indicate that 18.6% of the respondents refuted the statement that suspects detained in ungazetted places cannot easily be accessed by the Commission, while 75.5% agreed. The Uganda Human Rights Commission routinely visits places of detention and can promptly and immediately access most of the Police Cells. However, there is a requirement in case of military detention centres of at least 24 hours notice to comply with security measures. In relation to establishing the possible measures that can be undertaken to improve the promotion and protection of Human Rights in Uganda. Findings revealed that, 59.3% of the respondents agreed, while 32.5% reasoned that the commission carries out mobilization and conducting Baraza within their respective localities using their local leaders. The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) should continue its community baraza approach, utilizing local leaders and resources to mobilize and engage communities. This strategy fosters local ownership, active participation and immediate responses to human rights issues.