Africa-Press – Uganda. CORRUPTION|HUMAN RIGHTS|ULS
KAMPALA – Uganda Law Society (ULS) president Phiona Wall Nabasa has said that corruption is the biggest human rights violation in the country. Nabasa made the pronouncement at the launch of the rapid legal aid and emergency response fund by Makerere University’s Network of Public Interest Lawyers (NETPIL) at Golden Tulip Hotel in Nakasero on Monday (December 21, 2020). “We have seen various human rights violations in the country and it is not discriminatory. I, however, maintain that corruption remains the biggest human rights violation not only in Uganda but entire sub-Saharan Africa,” Nabasa noted. She adds, “We lost COVID-19 pandemic relief to thieves and I have not seen anybody prosecuted. We borrowed sh5b to cushion small businesses to recover but where did it go? This is a human right violation and it is well known that the biggest human rights violation affects the economy.” Four officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) including the permanent secretary, Christine Guwatudde, are currently battling 24 offences relating to inflating prices of COVID-19 relief food. It is alleged that the accused prepared and issued an award letter to Aponye (U) Ltd for the supply of two million kilogrammes of maize meal at sh3,000 per kg (sh6b in total), as food relief items meant for the vulnerable poor as a result of the lockdown, in total disregard of procurement procedures. Nabasa also bemoaned what she described as shrinking rule of law in the country resulting from unnecessary violence and implored all Ugandans to defend rule of law in the country saying it acts as a password to a peaceful and prosperous society. “I congratulate NETPIL for this great initiative of rapid legal aid response ahead of the 2021 general elections. This initiative is timely and holds a dear place in my heart. ULS also has a similar initiative and I would like to assure you that we are also available for the same cause in case you get overwhelmed,” Nabasa said. Nabasa said it is time for the lawyers to offer leadership as the country goes through the general elections saying, “If we don’t come out now to offer guidance, anarchists will take over our country.” Nabasa called upon Parliament to fast track the passing of the Human Rights Defenders Bill and Legal Aid Bill into law to save what she described as shrinking rule of law in the country. NETPIL chairperson James Muhindo said the initiative is intended to address imminent occurrence that threatens the life and health of Ugandans. “We are ready to offer legal aid to all Ugandans irrespective of their religion, tribe and political affiliations countrywide,” Muhindo said. NETPIL coordinator Arthur Nsereko revealed that they have lined up over 18-lawyers across the country to offer free legal services to victims of presumed human rights violations. “We believe provision of legal services is the cornerstone to enable access to justice especially to the vulnerable people,” said Nsereko. American Bar Association’s Dr Nicole Gravagna tasked NETPIL to promote freedom of expression in the country.
