• During demonstrations in April, following February’s presidential elections, the unnecessary use of lethal force by Ugandan security forces resulted in the deaths of nine people. Opposition politicians and hundreds of supporters were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly and incitement to violence, and state agents beat and harassed journalists covering the unrest.

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Reports

Uganda

  • Jan 15, 2012

    Legal and organizational issues that have emerged during Uganda’s first war crimes prosecution pose challenges for Uganda in seeking to ensure justice for victims of the most serious crimes. Uganda’s early experience may provide relevant information to other countries seeking to hold domestic trials for serious crimes committed in violation of international law – genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

     

  • Dec 6, 2011

    The Ugandan authorities should open an effective and transparent investigation into the murder of a Rwandan journalist on November 30, 2011, and identify and bring those responsible to justice. The Ugandan government should also provide protection for Rwandan journalists and other critics of the Rwandan government who are living in Uganda.

  • Oct 20, 2011

    Last week the Obama administration said it would send 100 US military advisers to central Africa to help the region’s armies combat the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a vicious Ugandan rebel group. Human Rights Watch has pressed the US government to help bring the LRA’s murderous leadership to justice, even appealing directly to President Barack Obama.

  • Sep 26, 2011
    Before he was arrested last year in Uganda on terrorism charges, Al Amin Kimathi was hailed as an outspoken activist who challenged East African governments to conduct lawful counterterrorism operations.
  • Sep 12, 2011
    A Ugandan court’s decision to drop terrorism charges against prominent Kenyan human rights defender Al-Amin Kimathi is a welcome step, but the rights of other suspects in the July 2010 Kampala bombings continue to be violated.
  • Sep 9, 2011
    The Ugandan government should disclose any evidence it claims to have against the detained Kenyan human rights defender Al-Amin Kimathi or release him.
  • Aug 4, 2011
    Worldwide, funding for HIV programs decreased last year, and UNAIDS estimates that there is a $6 billion annual gap between what is needed and what donors are prepared to provide. Until more funding is available, demanding more funds to address HIV in prisons risks robbing Peter to pay Paul. But there is a better approach.
  • Jul 27, 2011

    The Ugandan government should stop prosecuting civilians in unfair military courts, effective immediately, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Military and civilian prosecutors should work together to resolve pending cases through release or appropriate retrial in civilian courts, and police should stop sending civilians to military custody.

  • Jul 25, 2011
    Uganda remains a darling of international health donors, though its incoherent approach to targeting HIV is now notable for leaving out people at risk of infection, such as sex workers, migrants, men who have sex with men, people with disabilities, and prisoners.
  • Jul 23, 2011
    The Ugandan government should immediately release or bring to court Augustine Okello, a journalist from Lira-based Radio Rhino, who was forcibly disappeared on July 12, 2011.